Significance of Tulsi Vivah – A Sacred Ritual in Hinduism!

by Astro Ved Online Astrology Consultation

Tulsi Vivah is a Hindu ritual in which Lord Vishnu gets married to the sacred plant Tulsi. It is also known as the marriage of Tulsi and Shaligram (the stone avatar of Vishnu). It is one of the unique marriage rituals since Lord Vishnu bonds with a plant. There is a legend behind why God, married to a plant.

Why Does Lord Vishnu Tie the Knot with Tulsi?

The legend goes like once there was a demon named Jalandhar who was born in water. Jalandhar demanded the fourteen treasures that churned out of the ocean (Samundra Manthan) during Vishnu’s second incarnation, Mohini. Gods refused to his demand and then enraged Jalandhar declared a war against the Gods and Gods-like.

The demon had a boon that no one can kill him till his wife is faithful to him. The war went on for days and Jalandhar was harassing all the Devas and Gods. Eventually, all Gods came up with a solution that only if they can break the virtue of his wife, it would be possible to kill Jalandhar.

Since Jalandhar’s wife Vrinda was a devotee of Vishnu, all Gods decided that Vishnu would take the form of his husband to break Vrinda’s chaste. Agreeing upon this, Vishnu visited Vrinda as Jalandhar and spent a night with her. Vrinda was not able to recognize him at first, but as Lord Vishnu touched Vrinda, she got to know that he is not her husband.

This broke the pureness of Vrinda, and her husband was killed afterward. Finding of her husband, Vrinda began wailing and Lord Vishnu came in his true form. Vrinda threw herself in the fire of her husband and cursed Vishnu to turn into a stone.

Vishnu to compensate his act converted her soul into a plant which we know as “Tulsi.” By the curse of Vrinda, Lord Vishnu turned into a stone that we know as “Shaligram.” Also, Vishnu promised Vrinda to marry her in the next lifetime. That is why Tulsi Vivah is a part of Hinduism which is commenced every year.

The Marriage Ceremony of Tulsi and Shaligram

The marriage of Tulsi and Shaligram happens on the eleventh day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik.

In the morning where the tulsi plant is placed, water is sprinkled. Some also apply cow dung to wipe out the courtyard. The tulsi pot is painted white to make it attractive and to make the atmosphere positive.

The marriage ceremony happens in the evening, so women also observe fast on this day and they break it in the evening with the ceremony.

The Tulsi plant is decorated as a bride. Any married woman of a household or an unmarried girl too can perform the Puja rituals. However, a widow must not perform this marriage ceremony.

People decorate Tulsi with red saree. Green-red bangles are offered along with roli, bindi, and mangalsutra. Women offer flowers and garlands to Tulsi and they also decorate Tulsi’s surroundings with sugarcanes.

They place the Shaligram beside Tulsi and give it a milk bath before offering Dhoti. Those who perform this Puja consider Tulsi their daughter and do the Kanyadaan, a significant and pure act in Hindu marriage that parents do when their daughter gets married.

Tulsi Vivah is considered to be a very auspicious day in Hinduism. It is also believed that with Tulsi Vivah, the marriage season starts for Hindus, and it also signifies the end of monsoon.

Significance of Tulsi Vivah

Tulsi plant is generally placed in the yard of the home as it fixes all the architectural defects in a house. Tulsi is also considered as Goddess Laxmi as it was the incarnation of Laxmi, so worshipping it also attracts wealth to a family.

Women who worship tulsi and celebrate the tulsi vivah ceremony enjoy a healthy married life. Unmarried women who worship tulsi get a good husband and they ensure the well-being of the entire family.

Additionally, tulsi leaves are used to treat various ailments. The cold, weak immune system and sore throat can be cured using tulsi leaves. The sacred plant has very much significance in Hinduism and removes all the evil effects from a home.