Celebration of Tulsi Vivah
In the month of Kartik (October/November ) Hindus are celebrating the Tulsi Vivah, it is a ceremonial marriage of Tulsi (Basil, a holy plant in Hindu religion) to the Hindu God Vishnu. Tulsi is respected as a goddess in Hinduism and it is considered as a wife of Lord Vishnu. The legend behind this festival is told in the Hindu scripture called Padma Purana.
Tulsi Vivah Legend
According to Padma Purana, Tulsi plant was a named Vrinda(Brinda). She was married to the indestructible demon king named Jalandar. Even Shiva (God of creation and destruction) could not defeat Jalandhar, so he requested Vishnu(God of preservation and protection) to find a solution. Vishnu then disguised himself as Jalandar and tricked Vrinda – her chastity was destroyed. Jalandhar lost his power and was killed by Shiva.
Vrinda cursed Vishnu to change in black color and to be separated from his wife. The cursed take effect when Vhisnu was transformed into black Shaligram (fossilized stone). Later on, in his Rama avatar, he was separated from his wife Sita, who was kidnapped by the demon king Ravana. Vrinda ends her life by drowning herself in the ocean; God Vishnu transferred her soul to a plant, which was later on called Tulsi.
Tulsi Vivah Marriage Ceremony
The celebration of Tulsi Vivah is incomplete without Tulsi plant, so every Hindu home is planting Tulsi plant at least 2 months before the celebration. Aside fromTulsi, amla (Indian Gooseberry), sugarcane and tamarind are planted. They are planting the seed of Tulsi in the vrindavana, it is made of bricks and placed in the center of the courtyard. The plant will grow and will be ready for the celebration.
Before the nuptial of the Tulsi plant and Vishnu they will be (in the form of brass, picture and more often shaligram stone – the symbol of Vishnu) washed with clean water and decorated with garlands; we have used marigolds and chrysanthemums. The mandap (marriage booth) is decorated with young stems of bamboo, erected in the four side corner. The upper parts of the stems are tight up together with sugarcane leaves. Tulsi is covered with a red piece of clothing that serve as her sari (female garment). Hindu believes that the soul of Vrinda resides in the plant at night and departs in the morning.
After several days, this is the most important ritual in the ceremony; Brahman (Hindu priest) will recite the Mangal Ashtaka Mantras (prayers). The prayer is approximately three hours long and the old woman member of the family will help the Brahman to do the ritual. This ritual will formally complete the wedding.
After the ritual, the Brahman will bless the member of the family by putting tika ( a mixture of colored powder usually red, yogurt and grains usually worn on the forehead) in the forehead and Til Tika ( in the up part of the nose and then the Brahman will roll up a sacred thread in the right hand. After the ritual, the whole family will eat together. The Dahi-Chamal is the specialty of this occasion. The family members will eat this together and even share it with neighbor and friends together will sel (a Nepal's traditional homemade, sweet, ring-shaped rice bread/doughnut.), puri and Aloo ko achar (potato pickle).
Tulsi Vivah Legend
According to Padma Purana, Tulsi plant was a named Vrinda(Brinda). She was married to the indestructible demon king named Jalandar. Even Shiva (God of creation and destruction) could not defeat Jalandhar, so he requested Vishnu(God of preservation and protection) to find a solution. Vishnu then disguised himself as Jalandar and tricked Vrinda – her chastity was destroyed. Jalandhar lost his power and was killed by Shiva.
Vrinda cursed Vishnu to change in black color and to be separated from his wife. The cursed take effect when Vhisnu was transformed into black Shaligram (fossilized stone). Later on, in his Rama avatar, he was separated from his wife Sita, who was kidnapped by the demon king Ravana. Vrinda ends her life by drowning herself in the ocean; God Vishnu transferred her soul to a plant, which was later on called Tulsi.
Tulsi Vivah Marriage Ceremony
The celebration of Tulsi Vivah is incomplete without Tulsi plant, so every Hindu home is planting Tulsi plant at least 2 months before the celebration. Aside fromTulsi, amla (Indian Gooseberry), sugarcane and tamarind are planted. They are planting the seed of Tulsi in the vrindavana, it is made of bricks and placed in the center of the courtyard. The plant will grow and will be ready for the celebration.
Before the nuptial of the Tulsi plant and Vishnu they will be (in the form of brass, picture and more often shaligram stone – the symbol of Vishnu) washed with clean water and decorated with garlands; we have used marigolds and chrysanthemums. The mandap (marriage booth) is decorated with young stems of bamboo, erected in the four side corner. The upper parts of the stems are tight up together with sugarcane leaves. Tulsi is covered with a red piece of clothing that serve as her sari (female garment). Hindu believes that the soul of Vrinda resides in the plant at night and departs in the morning.
After several days, this is the most important ritual in the ceremony; Brahman (Hindu priest) will recite the Mangal Ashtaka Mantras (prayers). The prayer is approximately three hours long and the old woman member of the family will help the Brahman to do the ritual. This ritual will formally complete the wedding.
After the ritual, the Brahman will bless the member of the family by putting tika ( a mixture of colored powder usually red, yogurt and grains usually worn on the forehead) in the forehead and Til Tika ( in the up part of the nose and then the Brahman will roll up a sacred thread in the right hand. After the ritual, the whole family will eat together. The Dahi-Chamal is the specialty of this occasion. The family members will eat this together and even share it with neighbor and friends together will sel (a Nepal's traditional homemade, sweet, ring-shaped rice bread/doughnut.), puri and Aloo ko achar (potato pickle).
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