Tulsi Vivah is the mythical and solemn ceremonial marriage of the Holy Basil (Tulsi) plant to Lord Vishnu (in the form of a 'Shaligram'). According to the Hindu calendar, this occasion is observed in the Hindu month of Kartik on 'Shukla Paksha' (bright fortnight). Tulsi Vivah is celebrated on the Dwadashi (twelfth day) of the Shukla Paksha. This festival falls in October or November.
Even though Tulsi Vivah can be celebrated any time between the 'Prabodhini Ekadashi' or 'Dev Uthni Ekadashi', which is the eleventh Lunar day, to 'Kartik Poornima', it is predominantly celebrated on the Dwadashi (twelfth day) of the Shukla Paksha during the month of Kartik.
The auspicious dates and timings for Tulsi Vivah are given below-
Tulsi Vivah- 13th November 2024 (Wednesday)
Dwadashi Tithi (Starts) - 04:04 PM on 12th November 2024
Dwadashi Tithi (Ends) - 01:01 PM on 13th November 2024
In Hindu mythology, Tulsi is considered a sacred plant as it is an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. This is why every Hindu household has this sacred plant. Tulsi Vivah is regarded as one of the most auspicious occasions for Hindus. This day marks the beginning of the Hindu wedding season. Chaturmas ends with the Dev Uthani Ekadashi, and all auspicious ceremonies such as marriages can begin after this. According to religious beliefs, those who perform Tulsi Vivah get the blessings of Lord Vishnu and all the obstacles in their life get resolved.
On this day, a marriage of Lord Vishnu is organised with Tulsi by following all the rites and rituals observed in a traditional Hindu marriage. The Tulsi Vivah Vrat and Puja is done religiously by married women for the well being of their husband and children and marital bliss. On the other hand, unmarried women observe this occasion to pray for a good husband.
Childless couples perform this ceremony to be blessed with children. It is believed that married couples who do not have daughters must get the chance of performing 'Kanyadaan' (donation of the daughter) by getting Tulsi married. They must act as Tulsi's parents and give their daughter 'Tulsi' to Lord Vishnu. The parents giving their daughter away in marriage is considered the highest form of donation by Hindus. Typically, the expenses of the Tulsi Vivah are borne by couples who don't have daughters.
Tulsi Vivah Rituals You Should Know
Given below are the rituals associated with Tulsi Vivah.
On this day, every family member should wake up early and change into fresh clothes after taking a holy bath.
The women of the house typically do this ceremony. They rise early in the morning and, after a bath, observe a fast till it is time to perform the 'Vivah'.
The one who will perform the 'Kanyadaan' should observe fast on this day until the marriage gets commenced.
The marriage ceremony can be performed in temples or at home. The marriage resembles a typical Hindu wedding.
The area around the Tulsi plant is decorated beautifully with flowers and 'rangoli'. Similar to any Hindu marriage, a beautiful 'Mandap' is created and adorned with flowers. This is done by planting sugarcane in the pot's soil where the Tulsi plant is planted and then placing a red drape over it to create a 'Mandap'.
The Tulsi plant is bathed and draped in a red cloth. A paper face is attached to the Tulsi plant, and she is adorned with ornaments like a bride would be.
Lord Vishnu is symbolised in the form of the 'Shaligram'. The stone is kept in the same pot as the plant. Sometimes a brass idol of Lord Vishnu is also used.
The two are linked together with a sacred yellow thread. Mantras are chanted. The end of the marriage ceremony is marked with the devotees showering the newlywed couple with rice and vermilion.
After the Puja, aarti is performed.
A sumptuous vegetarian meal is prepared and distributed among people after being offered to the newly married couple.
The Tulsi Vivah ceremony and rituals can be performed by a priest or the women in the house of all age groups.
The rituals for Tulsi Vivah might vary from place to place. In Saurashtra, the ceremony is more elaborate, with wedding cards being sent to the groom's temple from the bride's temple.
According to the Hindu scripture, Padma Purana, a demon king named Jalandhar, had a devoted wife named Vrinda, an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. Due to her immense power of faithfulness and devoutness, Jalandhar had become invincible. Even Lord Shiva couldn't defeat him.
Jalandhar was perpetually at war with the Gods and constantly tormented them. Finally fed up with his immortality, the Gods approached Lord Vishnu and asked for his help. The only solution Lord Vishnu had was to destroy Vrinda's chastity somehow.
Lord Vishnu transformed himself as Jalandhar and tricked Vrinda into submission. The moment her purity was destroyed, the Gods were able to destroy Jalandhar. When Vrinda got to know about this, she was furious and cursed Vishnu to turn into a black stone and just as she was separated from her husband, so would he be separated from his wife. Realising her pain, Lord Vishnu took the form of a stone to attain atonement. This stone is called Shaligram.
Vrinda ended her life, and a Tusli plant emerged from her ashes. Lord Vishnu gave the highest status to the Tulsi plant. As a form of repentance, Lord Vishnu, in the form of 'Shaligram', married Vrinda, now Tulsi, on Prabodhini Ekadashi or Dev Uthani Ekadashi. Thus, devotees perform the Tulsi Vivah.
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