04 November,2022 08:47 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Pic courtesy: Pinterest
While Tulsi, better known as basil, is seen as a medicinal plant and a cooking herb in the west that adds up the aroma in the food, but in India the humble tulsi is considered sacred and is being worshipped by Hindus for religious purposes since time immemorial.
Keeping a tulsi plant, especially in verandah or near the front door is a common tradition in Hindu households. Also known as Vrinda, tulsi is worshipped almost every day, because of the spiritual significance it holds.
On a daily basis, people follow the basic practice of worshipping the tulsi, like offering water right after taking a bath in the morning and lighting up a diya under the plant in the evening. However, on the day of Tulsi Vivah, the importance and significance of the holy tulsi increases immensely, here's whyâ¦
What is Tulsi Vivah:
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Every year, on the Ekadashi Tithi of the Kartik shukla paksha, the eleventh day during the waxing phase of the Moon in the Hindu month of Kartik, the auspicious festival of Tulsi Vivah is observed. According to the legends and Hindu scriptures, Vrinda married the shaligram form of Lord Vishnu on this day. And on the auspicious day of Tulsi Vivah, devotees organise ceremonial marriage of Tulsi and Vishnu. This year, the pious festival of Tulsi Vivah will be observed on November 5, 2022.
Significance of Tulsi Vivah:
Being worshipped as the consort of Lord Vishnu, Tulsi is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Maha Lakshmi. Tulsi Vivah also marks the end of Chaturmas, the four month period where Lord Vishnu goes into yogic sleep for the period of four months (Chatur means, four and mas means months). Tulsi Vivah is also known as Devutthana Ekadashi or Dev Uthani (waking up the God), because on this day, Lord Vishnu wakes up from his four month-long slumber.
Tulsi Vivah also kick-starts the season of auspicious ceremonies like weddings, roka, grih pravesh, mundane, namkaran, etc. Apparently, the above mentioned ceremonies are not performed in the month of chaturmas as it is considered unlucky or inauspicious to perform such ceremonies while the God is in the state of slumber. The devotees perform Tulsi Vivah to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi.
Also Read: Tulsi Vivah 2022: Here are the Do's and Don'ts of the auspicious event
It is believed that worshipping Tulsi and Shaligram on the day of Tulsi Vivah can remove obstacles in marriage and make their married life happy and blissful. Worshipping Tulsi along with Shaligram also brings prosperity and peace. Also, it is believed that Lord Krishna abides in home wherever the sacred Tulsi is planted.
How Tulsi Vivah is celebrated:
People who observe Tulsi Vivah decorate their tulsi plants as bride by drapping a red dupatta, putting up garlands and offer it bangles, mehendi, vermillion, etc. and the Shaligram, which is referred as groom is placed near tulsi along with Lord Vishnu or Krishna's idol. After performing the wedding rituals, both Tulsi and Shaligram are offered sweets, fruits along with traditional delicacies. Later, everything is distributed among people as Prasad.
Tulsi Vivah Muhurat:
The auspicious muhurat will begin at 6: 08 PM on November 4 and will end at 5: 06 PM on November 5.