Tulsi Vivah ceremony on the Ekadashi Tithi or the Dwadashi Tithi of Kartik, Shukla Paksha, commemorates the day when Lord Krishna or the Shaligram form of Lord Vishnu married the holy Tulsi plant to honour a boon bestowed on her during her previous birth. Today, on Dwadashi Tithi, devotees shall perform the Tulsi Vivah at their home to pay ode to the sacred plant, which is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi (the consort of Lord Vishnu). Read on to know the significance of the sacred plant, which is an integral part of several Indian homes.
According to religious beliefs, the Tulsi (known as Vrinda during her previous birth) is believed to be the gateway to heaven or Vaikuntha (the heavenly abode of Lord Vishnu).
Offering Tulsi to Lord Vishnu, a true devotee can attain salvation (moksha) and seek refuge in God's abode.
Moreover, belief suggests that Tulsi helps a devotee in getting riddance from the vicious cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Thus, she helps in attaining moksha (a true devotee's ultimate goal).
Apart from being the consort of Lord Krishna/ Shaligram, the Tulsi plant is worshipped for another significant reason. It is said that several deities reside in the different parts of the sacred plant. Brahma, the creator, lives in the branches with the Vedas forming the base. The other deities reside in the stems, and the sacred religious sites form the roots, and the heavenly river Ganga flows through them.
Popular belief also suggests that Tulsi helps in eliminating Vastu Dosha. In the olden days, the Tulsi plant would find a special place at the entrance of the courtyard. People would worship the plant every day, and even circumambulate (do parikrama). Therefore, by praying to the Tulsi, they would negate negative energies in their home.
Last but not least, the sacred Tulsi plant is an indispensable part of India's age-old medical science, Ayurveda. Tulsi is widely used for preparing a variety of medicines because of its therapeutic properties.
According to religious beliefs, the Tulsi (known as Vrinda during her previous birth) is believed to be the gateway to heaven or Vaikuntha (the heavenly abode of Lord Vishnu).
Offering Tulsi to Lord Vishnu, a true devotee can attain salvation (moksha) and seek refuge in God's abode.
Moreover, belief suggests that Tulsi helps a devotee in getting riddance from the vicious cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Thus, she helps in attaining moksha (a true devotee's ultimate goal).
Apart from being the consort of Lord Krishna/ Shaligram, the Tulsi plant is worshipped for another significant reason. It is said that several deities reside in the different parts of the sacred plant. Brahma, the creator, lives in the branches with the Vedas forming the base. The other deities reside in the stems, and the sacred religious sites form the roots, and the heavenly river Ganga flows through them.
Popular belief also suggests that Tulsi helps in eliminating Vastu Dosha. In the olden days, the Tulsi plant would find a special place at the entrance of the courtyard. People would worship the plant every day, and even circumambulate (do parikrama). Therefore, by praying to the Tulsi, they would negate negative energies in their home.
Last but not least, the sacred Tulsi plant is an indispensable part of India's age-old medical science, Ayurveda. Tulsi is widely used for preparing a variety of medicines because of its therapeutic properties.
