WHEN: Karthik (October/November)

Tulsi vivah is celebrated on the next day of Karthik Ekadashi. On this day Tulsi is married to Saaligram.

The tulsi plant is held sacred by the Hindus as it is regarded to be an incarnation of Mahalaxmi who was born as Vrinda. Tulsi was married to demon king Jalandhar. She prayed to Shri Vishnu that her demon husband should be protected, with the result that no God was able to harm him. However, at the request of the other Gods, Shri Vishnu took the form of Jalandhar and stayed with the unsuspecting Tulsi. When the truth emerged after Jalandhar’s death, Vrinda cursed Shri Vishnu and turned him to stone (Saaligram) and collapsed. From her body emerged the tulsi plant. That is why Vishnu puja is considered incomplete without tulsi leaves.

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.

HOW: Preparation for the puja

• Tulsi pot
• Bright coloured odni for Tulsi plant
• Sugar cane
• Moli, deepak
• Food rice, puri, sweet potato, kheer, red pumpkin, amla , tamarind
• Suhaag pitari containing saree, blouse, mehendi, kaazal (kohl), sindoor,   bangles, bindi etc.,
• Dishes

Method of performing the puja

• Tulsi pot / Vrinda devi is coloured and decorated as a bride. Four pieces of sugarcane are tied around the Tulsi pot with moli and bright coloured odni is draped on the Tulsi plant.
• At midday, a full meal consisting of rice, puri, sweet potato kheer, red pumpkin vegetable cooked with pieces of sugarcane, amla and tamarind is offered to Tulsi Vrindavan.
• Tulsi vivah ceremony takes place in the late evening. The Pundit performs the ceremony. Tulsi Devi takes the sacred phera with Saaligram. The Punditji brings the Saaligraam with him. In a basket – saree, blouse, mehendi, kaajal, sindoor, bangles, etc. i.e. suhaag related things are kept. This suhaag pilari is offered to Tulsi Devi and later given to a Brahmini.
• Various poha dishes are offered to Shri Vishnu.
• Then prasad is distributed among family members and friends.

For more on the medicinal properties of tulsi, click here.

Or, to watch a video on the marvels of tulsi, click here.