Tulsi Vivah

The Story

Vrinda's chastity made her demon-husband Jalandhara invincible. Vishnu, to save the gods, took Jalandhara's form and Vrinda was unknowingly violated. Vrinda cursed Vishnu to become a stone (Shaligrama) and immolated herself, becoming the Tulsi plant. Tulsi-Krishna vivah symbolically reunites them.

Vidhi · How It's Done

• Tulsi plant in courtyard decorated as bride (mini sari, jewelry, flowers)
• Shaligrama or Krishna murti placed beside as groom
• Wedding rituals (mangalashtaka, kanyadana, mangalsutra) performed in miniature
• Aarti and bhog
• Marks the unofficial start of the wedding season — auspicious dates resume after Chaturmasya

Key Mantras

• Tulsi Mahatmya from Padma Purana
• ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
• ॐ श्री तुलस्यै नमः

Bhog · Festival Foods

Khir · Coconut barfi · Sugarcane (offered to Tulsi) · Amla preparations

Regional Variants

• · Maharashtra: 4-day celebrations from Prabodhini Ekadashi
• · Gujarat: Dev Uthani Ekadashi celebrations end with Tulsi Vivah
• · Vrindavan/Mathura: Banke Bihari special darshan