Tulsi Shaligram Vivah Rituals

Tulsi Vivah, is observed at dusk in homes. The place is cleaned up and rangolis are drawn in front of Tulsi Vrindavan. Tulsi plant, being treated as the bride is smeared with turmeric and vermilion. Small bangles are hang on the tender branches. A small cloth is wound around the plant. A Shaligrama is placed next to the Tulsi as the symbol of Mahavishnu, the groom. A priest is summoned and all rites, involved in a formal wedding are conducted.

In some places, a cloth is held in front of the plant, which acts like a screen, while mantras are chanted. At the end of the mantra recitation, the cloth is removed as a mark of culmination of the wedding.

The performance of this pooja bestows prosperity, a cordial relationship between partners and all other material boons. When done with proper understanding of its essence, it bestows self realisation, the end of all spiritual pursuits.

Pastime Behind Tulsi Shaligram Vivah

Tulsi, named Vrinda (Brinda), was the wife of Jalandhar who sought a boon with the Gods, of invincibility as long as his wife is chaste.

Vrinda was a devout wife, who upheld chastity. Jalandhar, owing to the boon that he acquired, began to traumatise people that it became a difficult task for Gods to handle.

Gods took refuge in Lord Vishnu, who came to their resort, by disguising Himself as Jalandhar and living with Vrinda to break her chastity.

Vrinda who lost her chastity to Lord Vishnu, on discovering the truth cursed Him to become a stone. She further cursed that at one point in time, He would also suffer the pangs of separation of His consort;she then immolated herself.

Lord Vishnu, acknowledging Vrinda’s purity, transformed her into a Tulsi plant, to be worshipped in all homes. He then became a stone (Shaligrama). In the Ramavatar, the Lord, as the result of the curse, suffered separation from His consort, Sita.

Tulsi Vivah festival-a Tusli pooja is observed in all households as a mark of reminder of the divine relationship between the Lord and Tulsi.

Tulsi is also said to be a form of Mahalakshmi. It is also referred as Vishnupriya, the beloved of Lord Vishnu.

New Vrindavan (Tulsi garden) at Krishna Balaram Mandir

New Vrindavan (Tulsi garden) at Krishna Balaram Mandir:

The new Tulsi garden at Krishna Balaram mandir is meant to be circumambulated; It is recommended that one do this no fewer than four times:

Plaque #1:”When a person circumambulates Srimati Tulasi Devi, all the sins he may have committed are destroyed at every step, even the sin of killing a brahmana.”

Plaque #2:

“The house in which the sacred tulasi tree is enshrined is like a sacred bathing place -The servants of Yamaraja do not come to it.” – Garuda Pruana Saroddhara 9.7

“Yama is not able to see him who gives up his life while having a flower of tulasi, though he have hundreds of sins.” – Garuda Pruana Saroddhara 9.8

Plaque #3:

“Chant the Hare Krishna mantra continuously and render service to the tulasi plant by watering her and offering prayers to her. In this way, you will very soon get the opportunity to be sheltered at the lotus feet of Krishna.” – Sri Chaitanya Caritamrta, Antya 3.137

Plaque #4:

“The Supreme Lord Hari never accepts anyone’s worship without tulasi. Therefore, if tulasi leaves are not available, one can use tulasi wood to touch the Supreme Lord’s body. Even if tulasi wood is not available,one should chant the name of tulasi while worshipping Lord Sr Hari. If somebody worships demigods with tulasi, they get the sin of killing a brahmana, a cow, and enjoying the wife of his own spiritual master.” – Sri Hari Bhakti-vilasa, 7.263-264, quoting Vayu Purana

Plaque #5:

“Those who worship auspicious tulasi daily by nine processes – namely seeing, touching, meditating, glorifying, offering obeisances, praising, planting, serving and worshiping her -  live in the Lord’s house for ten billion yugas.” – Bhakti Rasamrta-sindhu, quoting from Skanda Purana

Plaque #6:

“Seeing tulasi destroys all sins. Touching her purifies the body. Bowing to her destroys all sufferings. Sprinkling her with water delivers one from death. Planting her bestows attachment of the mind to Lord Krsna. Offering her to Krsna’s lotus feet bestows special liberation in the form of prema. I offer my respects to tulasi.” – Bhakti Rasamrta-sindhu 1.2.203 quoting from Skanda Purana

Plaque #7:

“The following of Ekadasi vrata, Bhagavad Gita, Ganga water, placing tulasi leaf prasadam in the mouth, caranamrta, the chanting of the holy name – these six items bestow liberation for the dying.” – Garuda Pruana Saroddhara 8.26

“Wherever there is the shade of the tulasi tree, which removes the pain of material existence, there is always liberation from death. Such liberation is difficult to obtain by giving gifts.”- Garuda Pruana Saroddhara 9.6

Worship of Tulsi at Home

Tulsi

A majority of Hindu homes across the world have at least one Tulsi plant so that they may regularly worship Vrinda Devi. Many plant several Tulsi, creating their own small forest, which is referred to as a Vrindavan.  Tulsi Vivah is a holiday that glorifies Vrinda Devi by celebrating her marrage to Lord Vishnu. The holiday includes elaborate ceremonies  performed in everyone’s own private Vrindavans – their home Tulsi garden

Tulsi Vivah

Tulsi Vivah:

Of the numerous Hindu festivals, Tulsi Vivah festival, a significant Tulsi Pooja, is carried out by the worshippers of Tulsi/basil plant.

The worship of Tulsi, is one of the significant aspects related to one’s dailyprayers in a Hindu household, be it, the inmates are worshippers of Siva or Vishnu.

Every pious household, has a Tulsi Vrindavan in their courtyard and does Tulsi ppoja every morning & evening. Apart from one’s daily worship of Tulsi, Tulsi Vivah festival-a pooja attributed to Tulsi is performed annually.

Tulsi Pooja, owing to Tulsi Vivah festival, falls in the month of (October-November), in the month of Karthika, observed on three different dates.

The festival is observed usually on Ekadashi, on the day after Diwali, or on the day after Ekadashi, which, is Dwadashi. Some also observe on Karthik Purnima (full moon day in the month of Karthika)