Tulsi Vivah तुलसी विवाह
Dedicated to Vishnu / Lakshmi
About Tulsi Vivah
Tulsi Vivah is the ceremonial marriage of the Tulsi plant (holy basil, revered as Goddess Vrinda/Lakshmi) to Lord Vishnu or his avatar Lord Krishna (represented by a Shaligram stone or amla plant). Celebrated on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi (Devuthani Ekadashi) or the days following up to Kartik Purnima, this festival marks the end of the Chaturmas period — the four-month period during which Lord Vishnu is believed to be sleeping. The marriage ceremony follows traditional wedding rituals: the Tulsi plant is decorated as a bride with a sari, flowers, and jewelry; a mandap (wedding canopy) is set up with sugarcane pillars; mantras are chanted; and pheras (wedding rounds) are performed. The festival signals the beginning of the Hindu marriage season, as no weddings are traditionally conducted during Chaturmas.
तुलसी विवाह तुलसी के पौधे (पवित्र तुलसी, जिन्हें देवी वृंदा/लक्ष्मी के रूप में पूजा जाता है) का भगवान विष्णु या उनके अवतार भगवान कृष्ण (शालिग्राम पत्थर या आंवले के पौधे द्वारा प्रतिनिधित्व) से औपचारिक विवाह है। कार्तिक शुक्ल एकादशी (देवउठनी एकादशी) या उसके बाद कार्तिक पूर्णिमा तक मनाया जाने वाला यह त्योहार चातुर्मास — चार माह की अवधि जिसमें भगवान विष्णु सोते माने जाते हैं — की समाप्ति का प्रतीक है। विवाह समारोह पारंपरिक शादी की रीतियों का अनुसरण करता है: तुलसी के पौधे को साड़ी, फूलों और आभूषणों से दुल्हन की तरह सजाया जाता है; गन्ने के खंभों से मंडप बनाया जाता है; मंत्रोच्चार होता है; और फेरे लिए जाते हैं। यह त्योहार हिंदू विवाह सीज़न की शुरुआत का संकेत है।
Spiritual Significance
Tulsi Vivah symbolizes the sacred union of the divine feminine (Tulsi/Lakshmi) with the divine masculine (Vishnu/Krishna). It marks the awakening of Vishnu after Chaturmas and opens the auspicious season for marriages and celebrations in Hindu tradition.
तुलसी विवाह दिव्य स्त्री (तुलसी/लक्ष्मी) और दिव्य पुरुष (विष्णु/कृष्ण) के पवित्र मिलन का प्रतीक है। यह चातुर्मास के बाद विष्णु के जागरण का प्रतीक है और हिंदू परंपरा में विवाहों और उत्सवों के शुभ मौसम का द्वार खोलता है।
Key Rituals & Practices
- Decorate the Tulsi plant as a bride with sari, flowers, and bangles
- Set up a mandap with sugarcane pillars around the Tulsi plant
- Place a Shaligram stone or amla branch as the groom
- Perform the wedding ceremony with Vedic mantras and pheras
- Light diyas and distribute prasad to celebrate the divine marriage
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Tulsi considered sacred?
Tulsi (Holy Basil) is considered an earthly manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi or Vrinda. According to mythology, Vrinda was a devoted wife whose chastity protected her demon husband Jalandhara. When Vishnu broke her pativrata dharma (through deception), Vrinda cursed him to become a stone (Shaligram) and then immolated herself, reappearing as the Tulsi plant. Vishnu, honoring her devotion, declared Tulsi worship essential for his own puja. Beyond mythology, Tulsi has proven medicinal properties — it is a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune booster.
What is the significance of Chaturmas ending?
Chaturmas is the four-month period (roughly Ashadha to Kartik, July to November) during which Lord Vishnu is believed to sleep on the cosmic ocean of milk (Ksheer Sagar). During this period, marriages, housewarming ceremonies, and other auspicious functions are traditionally avoided. Tulsi Vivah marks Vishnu's awakening (Devuthani Ekadashi) and the end of this restrictive period. The wedding season, festive gatherings, and religious ceremonies resume after this day, making it a joyous occasion for the entire community.
Can Tulsi Vivah be performed at home?
Yes, Tulsi Vivah is commonly performed at home, as most Hindu households maintain a Tulsi plant in the courtyard (Tulsi Vrindavan). The ceremony is relatively simple: dress the Tulsi plant as a bride, place a Shaligram stone or amla branch as the groom, set up a small mandap with sugarcane sticks, and perform the marriage rituals. A priest can be invited for formal mantras, or the family can perform a simplified version with devotional songs and offerings. The key is sincerity and devotion in celebrating the divine marriage.
Festival Details
- Deity
- Vishnu / Lakshmi
- Category
- Divine Birth
- Regions
- Pan-India
- Calendar Basis
- Hindu Lunar (Panchang)
- Hindu Month
- Kartik — Shukla Paksha, Ekadashi
- Importance
- normal