Ayush Habba 2026 Celebrates Traditional Medicine with Prestigious Awards in Mangaluru
The vibrant city of Mangaluru recently hosted the grand Ayush Habba 2026, a two-day celebration dedicated to promoting India's traditional systems of medicine. The event culminated in a prestigious award ceremony that recognized outstanding contributors to the field of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (Ayush).
Top Honors for Distinguished Personalities
At the valedictory felicitation held on Sunday, D Veerendra Heggade, the revered Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala, was bestowed with the esteemed Ayush Ratna award. Due to his unavoidable absence, the honor was gracefully received on his behalf by his daughter, Shraddha Amith. In her acceptance remarks, she passionately advocated for the integration of Ayurveda and naturopathy into daily life, emphasizing their holistic benefits.
Simultaneously, Dr M Mohan Alva, the esteemed President of Alva's Education Foundation in Moodbidiri, was conferred with the distinguished Ayush Vibhushan title. Dr Alva, in acknowledging the honor, paid tribute to D Veerendra Heggade's monumental role in elevating Ayush to a global platform and his pivotal efforts in societal reformation and awareness.
Political and Legislative Support for Ayush
The ceremony was graced by notable dignitaries who underscored the growing institutional and public support for traditional medicine. UT Khader, the Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, delivered a compelling address, urging citizens to consider Ayurveda and other Ayush modalities as their primary healthcare choice. He articulated, "If Ayush practitioners provide excellent treatment, the demand will naturally increase. There needs to be public awareness in this regard."
Adding to this sentiment, former MP Nalin Kumar Kateel highlighted a significant shift in public perception. He observed that contemporary society is placing greater faith in Ayurveda compared to allopathy, a trend evidenced by the increasing enrollment in Ayurvedic medical colleges, even as engineering seats face vacancies. Kateel commended the Central Government for establishing the dedicated Ayush Ministry and ensuring robust budgetary allocations to promote and strengthen these indigenous systems.
A Festival of Wellness and Awareness
Organized collaboratively by the Dakshina Kannada Ayush Department, Ayush Hospitals and Colleges, the Ayush Foundation, and other allied organizations, the event was held at the TMA Pai International Convention Centre. The second day of Ayush Habba transformed into a dynamic public festival, attracting visitors across all age groups.
The program featured an engaging array of sessions and activities designed to educate and empower the community. These included specialized workshops on beauty care for women, comprehensive healthcare guidance for senior citizens, vital heart check-up camps, and fun-filled children's games. Furthermore, the event fostered awareness through exhibitions on medicinal herbs, demonstrations of homoeopathic remedies, and culinary sessions showcasing dishes inspired by ancient Ayurvedic texts, promoting the concept of food as medicine.
Recognizing a Spectrum of Contributions
Beyond the top awards, the felicitation ceremony also honored other deserving individuals with titles such as Ayush Bhushan, Ayush Shree, and Ayush Yuva Shree. This broad recognition underscored the collective effort required to revive and mainstream India's rich heritage of traditional wellness practices.
The Ayush Habba 2026 successfully served as a powerful platform, not only to honor pioneers but also to bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and modern lifestyle, encouraging a nationwide embrace of holistic health principles.
