Tulsi Vivah: The Sacred Union

"Tulsi Vivah" literally stands for "the divine ceremonial marriage" of Tulsi, the holy basil plant revered in Hinduism.

As per the Hindu Calendar, the propitious occasion of "Tulsi Vivah" is observed on the Dwadashi tithi (12th day) of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) during the month of Kartik.

As per many Hindu Shastras, "Tulsi Vivah" ceremony can take place from Prabodhini Ekadashi to Kartik Poornima. In some areas, it lasts for five days, concluding on the full moon day of the Kartik month.

According to the Gregorian Calendar, it lies in the month of either November or December.

This year, "Tulsi Vivah" is on '24th Nov 2023.'

As per Drik Panchang, the "tithi" for "Tulsi Vivah" in the year 2023 is as follows:

Tulsi Vivah on Friday, November 24, 2023

• Dwadashi Tithi Begins - 09:01 PM on Nov 23, 2023

• Dwadashi Tithi Ends - 07:06 PM on Nov 24, 2023

Importance of "Tulsi Vivah" in Hinduism:

The blissful observance of "Tulsi Vivah" celebrates the divine union, i.e. marriage between the Tulsi plant (basil) & Lord Vishnu in the form of Shaligram or his Shri Krishna avatar. And "Tulsi Vivah" signifies the beginning of the Hindu wedding season and the end of a monsoon season. Hence, it becomes a very auspicious occasion for Hindus.

As per many Hindu scriptures, Tulsi plant (basil) is considered to be an incarnation of Maha Lakshmi (who's the divine consort of Lord Vishnu). Hence, Tulsi leaves are considered very essential in Lord Vishnu's Pujas along with all his avatars such as Ram, Krishna and even Hanuman and Balaram.

Tulsi was born on a full moon day in Kartik, making this month special for her worship. Offering Tulsi leaves to Lord Vishnu daily in Kartik brings immense blessings. In this month, people light earthen lamps every evening and worship the Tulsi plant with incense, kumkum, and sandal paste. Vaishnav households, in particular, observe this tradition. People chant Tulsi hymns and meditate on her during this time. Hence, Tulsi is also revered as "Tulsi Mata."

Tulsi is also believed to possess many spiritual vibrations. The Padma Purana emphasizes that the Tulsi plant embodies the core of all worship and devotion. According to it, if you see a Tulsi plant thriving in a home or garden, it can wipe away all your bad deeds. Every part of Tulsi—leaves, roots, bark, branches, and flowers—is deeply connected to spirituality.

The Puranas also say that Lord Krishna is pleased to stay in a home where Tulsi Devi is present.

Lord Krishna is said to only accept offerings of flowers, food, or sandalwood paste when accompanied by Tulsi leaves. Those who worship Lord Krishna daily with Tulsi leaves gain the benefits of various religious practices, charity, and sacrifices. Such worshipers are believed to understand the essence of scriptures and fulfill their duties, ultimately freeing their ancestors from the cycle of birth and death.

A home that worships Tulsi Devi doesn't face tough times; it becomes as pure as a holy place. Just the smell of the tulsi plant is believed to make the surroundings pure.

The festival holds cultural significance, not only for its religious roots but also for its agricultural ties.

Tulsi plant has played a vital role in Ayurveda as well. Ayurvedic practitioners utilize Tulsi leaves and extracts from the plant to create numerous medicinal formulations, contributing to a wide array of health remedies.

Tulsi is highly revered for its medicinal properties and is considered a symbol of purity. Marriage is seen as a way to celebrate the earth's fertility and the upcoming winter season.

Due to all these divine reasons related to Mata Tulsi, her divine marriage with Lord Vishnu termed as "Tulsi Vivah" in Hindu Dharma becomes a more prominent celebration for the people.

Legends related to "Tulsi Vivah":

There are many interesting legends mentioned in Vedic Puranas & Shastras about the divine marriage of Tulsi & Lord Vishnu.

One of them mentions that:

Tulsi, a Gopi, was deeply in love with Lord Krishna. When Radha, Krishna's consort, learned about this, she placed a curse on the Gopi. 

Another legend says that:

Once, Krishna was being weighed in gold. Satyabhama, one of his wives, tried using all her gold to balance the scales, but it wasn't enough. Then, Rukmani, his other wife, placed a single Tulsi leaf on the gold, and miraculously, the scales tipped in Krishna's favor.

This tale underlines the spiritual importance of Tulsi leaves, suggesting that even a small offering of Tulsi holds great value and can outweigh material wealth in the eyes of the divine. It symbolizes the notion that sincere devotion and simplicity are more valuable than extravagant material offerings in spiritual practice.

There's one more story mentioning about how this divine union occurred is as follows:

Once there was a lady named Vrinda who was a devout follower of Lord Vishnu. She was married to the demon king Jalandhar, Lord Shiva's demon child.

Jalandhar, despite possessing immense power, was driven by evil intentions, leading to conflicts with the Gods. It became known that Jalandhar couldn't be defeated as long as Vrinda remained loyal to him.

To overcome this, the Gods sought Lord Vishnu's help. To solve this, Lord Vishnu took on Jalandhar's appearance to approach Vrinda and spent a night with her, ultimately defeating the demon king. When Vrinda realized the truth, she was furious with Lord Vishnu for his deceit.

Now Vrinda had broken loyalty towards her husband. And she couldn't protect her demon husband Jalandhar. Hence, the Gods defeated and killed him.

Vrinda was angry at Lord Vishnu for his role. To make amends, Vishnu transformed her into a Holy Basil plant. To seek forgiveness and bring justice, Vishnu granted her the boon of marrying him in her next incarnation.

This legendary tale forms the basis for the "Tulsi marriage" ceremony, symbolizing the divine union between Lord Vishnu and Vrinda in her sacred Tulsi form. The ritual commemorates this story of forgiveness, redemption, and the spiritual significance of the Tulsi plant.

Rituals followed on "Tulsi Vivah":

On this divine occasion of "Tulsi Vivah", the devotees follow all the rituals whole heartedly and with full devotion towards the Almighty:

• The union of Lord Krishna with Tulsi in the marriage ceremony mirrors the rituals and customs found in a typical Hindu wedding.

A lovely mandap is created around the Tulsi plant using sugarcane stalks, adorned with colorful rangoli. The Tulsi plant is dressed like a bride with a bright sari, earrings, and ornaments. Vermilion powder and turmeric are applied, and a paper face with a nose-ring and bindi is attached. The groom, represented by a brass idol or Lord Vishnu's picture, is covered in a dhoti, and sometimes a 'Shaligram Stone' is used for the puja.

• In the Tulsi Vivah ceremony (that begins mainly in the evening), both Lord Vishnu and Tulsi are bathed and adorned with flowers before the wedding. A yellow thread links the couple. The ritual can be led by a priest or women in the household. Mantras are chanted during the ceremony, and at the end, rice mixed with vermillion is showered on the newlyweds.

• Couples without daughters usually cover the expenses of "Tulsi Vivah." They play the role of parents to Tulsi, performing 'kanyadaan' by giving their Tulsi daughter away to Lord Vishnu. During the ceremony, all bridal offerings are then given to a Brahmin priest.

• In the Lord Rama temples in Saurashtra, celebrations for "Tulsi Vivah" are elaborate. The bride's temple sends a wedding invitation to the groom's temple. A festive procession, or barat, with dancing and singing devotees is warmly welcomed by the bride's side. There's a common belief that childless couples, when they perform Tulsi's kanyadaan, will soon be blessed with children.

• For this special occasion, "bhog" is also prepared with puris, rice, dal, red pumpkin vegetable, and a tasty sweet potato kheer in many households.

After Puja & chanting Tulsi Aarti, this "bhog" is offered to the divine couple and then distributed as 'Prasad.'

• The devotees also observe a fast on "Tulsi Vivah" till the evening. As this is rooted in the belief that Vrinda's soul resides in the Tulsi plant at night and departs in the morning.

• Those taking part in the "Tulsi Vivah ceremony" also eat a Tulsi leaf, symbolizing the entry of Goddess Tulsi into their body.

• This day is regarded as highly auspicious for conducting marriage rituals, including Kanyadaan.

• Married women throughout India observe the "Tulsi Vivah" puja to invoke blessings for the well-being of their husbands and family members & to find happiness in marriage

• Unmarried girls also follow "Tulsi Vivah" traditions, hoping to be blessed with a good and satisfied marital life.

• People often choose to get married on "Tulsi Vivah" day because they believe it brings blessings for a joyful and blissful married life.

 Benefits of "Tulsi Vivah" Puja:

Performing "Tulsi Vivah" Puja, the perfect example of an ideal Indian wedding, is believed to:

• Remove obstacles and shield from family misfortunes.

• Address delays in marriage, resolving marriage-related difficulty & bring blessings for a happy and harmonious married life.

• Bring happiness, prosperity, and wealth into one's life.

• Performing "Tulsi Vivah" Puja by childless couples can bring blessings of children.

• The ceremony involves chanting hymns, meditation, and devotion, contributing to spiritual growth and connection with divine energies.