Tulasi-Shaligram Vivaha

The Full Moon day (Purnima) marks the end of the month of Kartika. This day is celebrated with great devotional sentiment as Kartika Purnima, representing the Sri Krishna Rasa-yatra, the last day of Chaturmasya, and most notably, the Tulasi-Shaligrama Vivaha — the sacred marriage ceremony of Srimati Tulasi Devi and Lord Sri Krishna.

It is an auspicious start for the rest of the year, and we encourage devotees reading this to kindly consider donating on this day.

Scriptural Origins & Marriage Guidelines

The marriage of Srimati Tulasi Devi is described by Sri Vasishthaji in ancient times as heard from Lord Brahma, and is detailed in the Narada-pancharatra:

First, one should plant Tulasi either in the house or the forest, and after three years one may perform her marriage. The auspicious times when one may perform the marriage of Shalagrama and Tulasi are in the month of Kartika, from the Ekadashi (Devutthana) to the Full Moon day.

A sacrificial arena (yajna-kunda) is established under a canopy (mandapa). After performing shanti-vidhana and installing the sixteen goddesses, one installs an attractive Shalagrama-shila (representing Lakshmi-Narayana). When it is dusk, a golden Deity of Narayana and a silver murti of Tulasi are installed according to one's means. With Vedic mantras, two cloths are tied together, marriage bracelets (kangana) are tied, and the marriage is consecrated. The host performs parikrama of Tulasi four times with the Shalagrama-shila.

Deities adorned for Tulasi-Shaligram Vivaha

The Legend of Vrinda and Jalandhar

According to the Padma Purana, Tulasi in her former birth was Vrinda, the daughter of a giant named Nemi and the faithful wife of the demon Jalandhar. Being born in water, Jalandhar claimed sovereignty over the ocean and demanded the fourteen treasures churned out during the Samudra Manthan. He declared war on the demigods and became a cause of great danger. He had a boon that he would be free from death as long as his wife Vrinda remained chaste.

To defeat the demon, Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Jalandhar and approached Vrinda. In her wrath upon discovering the deceit, Vrinda cursed Lord Vishnu to turn into a black stone (Shalagrama). Lord Vishnu accepted her curse, but in admiration of her unimpeachable chastity, He transformed her into the sacred Tulsi plant and promised to marry her annually. The origin of the ammonite black stones found in the Gandaki River bed is attributed to this legend.

Devout Vaishnavas perform a mock marriage between Srimati Tulasi Devi and Shalagrama-shila on this day. The belief is that one who performs the ceremony of giving away Tulasi Devi obtains the spiritual credit of Kanyadan (giving away a daughter in marriage), which is regarded as an extremely meritorious act.

Sacred Shalagrama Shila

Srimati Tulasi Devi (Lakshmi)

Simple Vivaha Prayog (Home worship guidelines)

Devotees can easily perform a simplified marriage ceremony at home:

1. Adorning Srimati Tulasi: Dress her pot in a nice red skirt. Adorn her branches with red bangles, kumkum, and bindhis. Use a fresh or dried turmeric root as a mangala-sutra.
2. Kanya Sampradanam (Giving of Bride): Recite the lineage of the bride and the groom. Tie a red thread (kankabandanam) to the Shaligram's right side and Tulsi's left pot-side.
3. Mala Dharanam (Exchange of Garlands): Place a garland on the Tulsi plant and the Shaligram. Exchange the garlands three times. Tulasi garlands Him first.
4. Sindhur Danam: Mark her leaves and upper trunk with sindhur three times on Lord Shaligram's behalf.
5. Vastra Bandhanam (Tying their cloth): Tie a corner of Shaligram's angavastra to Tulsi's red cloth. Keep them bound for seven nights.
6. Saptapadi (Seven Steps): Take seven symbolic steps around the altar chanting: "OM EKAM ISE VISNUH TVA NAYATU" (First step for strength), "DVE URJE" (Power), "TRINI VRATAYA" (Vows), "CATVARI MAYOBHAVAYA" (Happiness), "PANCA PASUBHYO" (Cows), "SAD RAYAS POSAYA" (Wealth), and "SAPTA SAPRABHYO HOTRABHYO" (Maintaining sacrifices).

Whoever plants Tulasi, collects her leaves, or installs her along with Lord Vishnu will achieve liberation, the spiritual abode, and eternal association with Shri Hari.