National Siddha Day is celebrated every year on the birthday of Siddhar Agathiyar , the father of Siddha Medicine. Background Siddhar Agathiyar is considered as the father of Siddha Medicine and was born in Star Ayilyam in the Tamil month of Margazhi. The Ministry of Ayush, Govt. of India has accorded approval for observing his birthday as Siddha Day every year. The first Siddha day was celebrated on January 4, 2018, Margazhi month Aayilyam star, the birthday of Agathiyar. From 2025, Siddha Day is annually observed on 6 January to mark this occasion. The celebration is proposed to be conducted in a befitting manner so that the general public are conscientised about the benefits of Siddha system of Medicine through various activities, using that day as an occasion. Objectives of Siddha Day To sensitize the public about the holistic approach of healthcare and disease prevention To propagate the unique strengths of Siddha Medicine To integrate Siddha into the mainstream of healthcare To equip the students, faculty members and practitioners of Siddha for providing standard care To harness the potential of Siddha to incorporate into National Health Policy & National Health Programs Siddha Day 2026 The 9th Siddha Day is celebrated on 6th January 2026. The celebrations, themed “Siddha for Global Health,” commemorate the birth anniversary of Sage Agathiyar, revered as the father of Siddha medicine. The 9th Siddha Day will showcase the contributions of Siddha medicine in preventive health, research, and global wellness. It aims to enhance awareness and reaffirm the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Siddha’s role in healthcare delivery, research collaboration, and academic advancement. The event underscores the Ministry of Ayush’s commitment to promoting India’s traditional systems of medicine in national and global health frameworks, strengthening innovation, and ensuring wider international recognition for Siddha. “Food is Medicine; Medicine is Food” is one of the core doctrines mentioned in Siddha classics for healthy life. This maxim acknowledges the emphasis laid by Siddhars on healthy eating and the nutritional importance of a balanced diet. Siddha Medicine describes the significance of balancing food (Thirithoda) ingredients namely pepper, turmeric, cumin seeds, asafoetida, dried ginger, cardamom, fenugreek and garlic maintain the homeostasis between the three humours namely Vali, Azhal and Aiyam. Siddhar Theraiyar has mentioned few dietary principles to be followed as a prophylactic measure for leading a healthy life. Example: “Always consume sour curd, never eat root tubers except yam, take meals twice a day instead of thrice daily, and take diluted buttermilk and melted ghee”. Source : Central Council for Reseach in Siddha Related resources Healthy traditional recipes Siddha tips for common diseases