Tulsi Vivah is celebrated on the next day of Karthik Ekadashi. On this day Tulsi is married to Saaligram. Tulsi Vivah is a ceremonial marriage of the Tulsi (holy basil) plant to the Hindu god Vishnu or his avatar Krishna. It typically occurs during the Hindu month of Kartik (October/November) and marks the beginning of the Hindu wedding season. The ritual involves elaborate ceremonies, including the planting of Tulsi in a courtyard or a specially prepared sanctified area, followed by prayers and offerings. It holds significant spiritual and cultural importance, symbolizing the union of the divine with the earthly.The Tulsi Vivah holds several significances in Hindu culture:
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Marriage of Tulsi with Vishnu/Krishna: It symbolizes the marriage of Tulsi (considered a sacred plant) with Lord Vishnu or his avatar Krishna. This union is revered and signifies devotion and commitment.
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Onset of Wedding Season: The ceremony marks the beginning of the wedding season in Hindu tradition, which continues until the arrival of spring. It is considered auspicious for couples planning to get married.
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Spiritual Merit: Participating in or witnessing the Tulsi Vivah is believed to bring spiritual merit and blessings. It is considered a highly auspicious event, and those involved are believed to receive divine grace.
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Symbol of Purity and Fertility: Tulsi is associated with purity and fertility. The marriage of Tulsi with Vishnu/Krishna symbolizes the potential for a fruitful and blessed life ahead.
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Cultural and Community Celebration: Tulsi Vivah is also a time for communities to come together, celebrate, and participate in rituals that reinforce cultural traditions and values.
The legend of Tulsi Vivah is rooted in Hindu mythology, specifically in the Puranas and various folklore. Here's a simplified version of the legend:
Legend of Tulsi Vivah:
According to the Hindu scriptures, there was a virtuous woman named Vrinda (also known as Tulsi) who was deeply devoted to Lord Vishnu. She performed severe penance and obtained a boon from Vishnu that he would marry her in her next birth.
Meanwhile, there was a demon named Jalandhar who became invincible due to the purity and chastity of his wife, Vrinda. His wife's devotion made him almost indestructible, posing a threat to the gods. Lord Vishnu devised a plan to defeat Jalandhar by breaking Vrinda's chastity, thereby weakening Jalandhar.
Vishnu took the form of Jalandhar and approached Vrinda, who mistook him for her husband due to his disguise. This act unknowingly broke her chastity, and as a result, Jalandhar lost his invincibility and was defeated by Lord Shiva in battle.
The Tulsi Vivah ritual is performed with great devotion and follows a traditional sequence of ceremonies. Here are the main elements of the ritual:
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Preparation of Tulsi Plant: A Tulsi plant is selected and prepared for the wedding ceremony. It is usually decorated with flowers, rangoli (colored powder), and sometimes a small mandap (canopy) is built around it.
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Ritual Bath (Abhishek): The Tulsi plant is ceremonially bathed with water, milk, yogurt, ghee (clarified butter), honey, and other auspicious substances, symbolizing purification and sanctification.
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Marriage Ceremony: The marriage of Tulsi with Lord Vishnu or Krishna is symbolically performed. A sacred thread (mangalsutra) is tied around the plant, symbolizing the marriage bond. Mantras and hymns are chanted by priests and devotees during this ceremony.
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Offerings and Prayers: Various offerings such as flowers, fruits, sweets, incense, and lamps are presented to Tulsi and Lord Vishnu/Krishna. Devotees offer prayers seeking blessings for marital harmony, prosperity, and spiritual well-being.
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Community Participation: The ceremony is often conducted in temples or household courtyards, with family members and community members actively participating. It fosters a sense of unity and devotion among the participants.
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Feasting and Celebrations: After the ritual, prasad (blessed food) is distributed among the devotees. It is a time for feasting and celebrating the auspicious occasion with joy and camaraderie.
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Significance of Marriage Season: Tulsi Vivah also marks the beginning of the wedding season in Hindu tradition, and it is considered auspicious for couples to solemnize their weddings during this period.
The very name Tulsi, that which cannot be compared, the "incomparable one", has spiritually uplifting qualities. Tulsi has been found to possess extraordinary powers of healing.
तुलसी विवाह क्या होता है और इसे क्यों मनाया जाता है, हिंदी में पढ़ें, क्लिक करें