TULASI VIVAH

Tulasi Vivah is the ceremonial marriage of the Tulsi plant (holy basil) to the Hindu deity Vishnu or his Avatar, Krishna. In 2024, this celebration is scheduled to occur on Wednesday, November 13th, which also signifies the commencement of the holy wedding season for Hindus. The ceremony may be performed at any time between Prabodhini Ekadashi and Karthik Purnima in the month of Karthik. The Tulsi plant is regarded as an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, who is the consort of Lord Vishnu. The plant is recognized for its various healing properties, beneficial for both mental and physical well-being.

It is believed that those who adhere to the tradition of marrying Tulsi to Lord Vishnu attain the merit associated with Kanyadaan, the act of marrying off one’s daughter. During the ceremony, the Tulsi plant is adorned and dressed in traditional ornaments to resemble a bride. An image of Lord Vishnu or a stone representing him is utilized as the groom. To initiate the marriage ceremony, the couple is symbolically joined by a cotton thread. The marriage is consecrated through the recitation of mantras, followed by the showering of rice mixed with vermilion (Roli Chawal) on the holy couple, namely, Tulsi and Shaligram.

Legends Behind the Celebration of Tulsi Vivah

Maa Tulsi is venerated within Hindu culture and is frequently regarded as a goddess, sometimes referred to as Vishnupriya, meaning the beloved of Lord Vishnu. According to the *Padma Purana*, Tulsi was the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, born as Vrinda, who was wed to the demon king Jalandhar. She earnestly prayed for and protected her demon husband from the gods. Ultimately, however, every wrongful situation must reach its conclusion. At the behest of the gods, Lord Vishnu took on the form of Vrinda's husband (Jalandhar) and cohabited with her. Upon discovering the truth, Vrinda invoked a curse upon Lord Vishnu, transforming him into a stone known as Shaligram. Additionally, she cursed him to be separated from his wife during his next incarnation as Lord Rama. This curse manifested when Lord Rama lost his wife, Goddess Sita, who was abducted by the demon king Ravana. Heartbroken, Vrinda submerged herself in the ocean, and the deities or Lord Vishnu himself subsequently transferred her soul into a plant, which thereafter became known as Tulsi. Eager to regain his original form, Lord Vishnu married Tulsi on Prabodhini Ekadashi in his subsequent incarnation. This event is commemorated annually through the ceremony of Tulsi Vivah.

An additional minor legend suggests that Lakshmi defeated a demon on this day and remained on earth in the form of the Tulsi plant. It is believed that Lord Vishnu is worshipped with Tulsi leaves, which led to the establishment of the Tulsi Vivah tradition. Tulsi is deeply cherished by Lord Vishnu, and a ceremonial marriage is conducted each year.

According to yet another legend, Tulsi reincarnated as a princess who developed an affection for Lord Krishna. This relationship displeased his beloved, Radha, who subsequently placed a curse on Tulsi.

In another narrative, Lord Krishna was weighed down by gold presented by his wife, Satyabhama. Despite utilizing all available gold, he could not be outweighed until his other wife, Rukmini, placed a Tulsi leaf on the scale, which caused him to be outweighed immediately.

The traditions of Tulsi Vivah

The marriage of Tulsi and Vishnu closely resembles a traditional Hindu wedding. In Kalyug, marriages follow a similar format. The ceremony may take place in homes and temples; however, it has increasingly been conducted in event halls and hotels in contemporary practice. Observance of a fast is customary on this day. A mandap (marriage booth) is constructed in the courtyard of the house where the Tulsi plant is located, typically positioned within a brick structure known as the Tulsi vrindavana. It is believed that the soul of Vrinda resides in the plant during the night and departs in the morning. During the ceremony, the bride Tulsi is draped in a sari and adorned with jewelry, including earrings and necklaces. A paper face representing a human may be affixed to the Tulsi plant, complete with a bindi and nose ring. The groom is typically represented by a brass image or picture of Vishnu, Krishna, or the Shaligram stone, which symbolizes Vishnu. Both Tulsi and Vishnu are bathed and decorated with flowers and garlands prior to the wedding. During the ceremony, the couple is linked together by a cotton thread (mala).