Tulsi Vivah Katha: The date of Tulsi Vivah is approaching. Tulsi Vivah is scheduled to be performed on November 2, 2025. Although Tulsi Vivah is performed on both Ekadashi and Dwadashi Tithi, Lord Vishnu awakens from Yog Nidra on Ekadashi Tithi, and the marriage ceremony begins thereafter. Therefore, Tulsi Vivah is performed on Dwadashi Tithi. In 2025, Dwadashi Tithi begins at 7:31 am on November 2, 2025, and therefore, the auspicious time for Tulsi Vivah is from 8:00 am to 10:30 am, and tomorrow from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm.
What is the story of Tulsi Vivah?(Tulsi Vivah Katha)
Tulsi Mata is said to be married to Shaligram, but did you know that Tulsi Mata was actually the wife of an incarnation of Lord Shiva? Yes, Tulsi Mata’s real name was Vrinda. She was the wife of Kalandhanu Jalandhar. Jalandhar was born from the ocean’s radiance. Jalandhar is considered a powerful demon born from Lord Shiva’s anger.
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Jalandhar’s body was filled with the radiance of the ocean, so no god could touch him. He is considered an incarnation of Lord Shiva because he was born from Shiva’s anger. Jalandhar’s wife, Vrinda, was a woman of unwavering devotion and ascetic power. Vrinda had received a boon that as long as she remained faithful to her husband, no harm would come to Jalandhar.
It is believed that when Jalandhar began to oppress the gods, Lord Shiva himself descended to fight him, but was unsuccessful because Vrinda’s devotion to her husband protected Jalandhar. Therefore, all the gods sought help from Lord Vishnu, and Lord Vishnu, using diplomacy, tested Vrinda. The story behind this is as follows:
When no god was able to defeat Jalandhar, all the gods prayed to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Jalandhar and appeared before Vrinda. Mistaking Vishnu for Jalandhar, Vrinda served him, breaking the woman’s vow of chastity and robbing Jalandhar of his powers. As soon as Jalandhar’s powers were eroded, Lord Shiva killed Jalandhar.
When Vrinda learned of this, she cursed Vishnu to turn into stone. Lord Vishnu then incarnated as the Shaligram stone, and Vrinda consumed herself. A Tulsi plant grew where Vrinda left her body, and Lord Vishnu promised Vrinda that no one would ever stain her character and that she would be married to his Shaligram form. Since then, Tulsi has been married to Shaligram, and no worship of Lord Vishnu is considered complete without Tulsi.
What is Shaligram?
Shaligram is a special stone found in the Kali Gandaki River in Nepal. It is considered a symbol of Lord Vishnu. Just as every pebble found in the Narmada River is called Narmadeshwar, every black stone found in the Gandaki River is considered a Shaligram. Shaligrams have symbols like the Chakra and Shankar. Therefore, it is said that Lord Vishnu himself resides in Shaligrams, and the stone is married to Tulsi Mata.
The Spiritual Message of Tulsi Mata’s Marriage
Tulsi Mata was born from the burning of Vrinda. Vrinda was a devoted wife, and hence Tulsi Mata is considered a living embodiment of devotion. Worshipping her ensures a successful married life. Vrinda is a symbol of the power of devotion and truth. Consequently, Tulsi Mata is also considered the embodiment of sacrifice. Therefore, no worship of Lord Vishnu is complete without Tulsi Puja.
Offering Tulsi leaves as Prasad to Vishnu is mandatory. Even all the gods and goddesses love Tulsi very much. Although Tulsi leaves are not offered in the worship of Lord Shiva, Jalandhar, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, was the husband of Vrinda and this entire story gives us the supreme message of the union of devotion and God.
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