Tulsi Puja 

Tulsi Puja is also called the Tulsi Shaligram Puja. The festival is celebrated during the waxing phase of the moon during the month of Kartik. Tulsi is associated with Lord Krishna. It is found in a majority of Hindu homes and is worshiped daily. This year, Tulsi Puja falls on November 11. In some communities, it is observed on Kartik Purnima, which falls on November 14.  Tulsi Puja is performed between Karthik Shuddh Ekadasi and Kartik Purnima. The main ritual involves the wedding of Tulsi Plant to Lord Vishnu in the form of Shaligram. Tulsi Pooja also marks the end of Diwali fortnight for many communities.

Tulsi Vivah Ritual

Tulsi Vivah is a popular ritual performed in this time. Tulsi is holy basil and is an important religious symbol in Hinduism. Tulsi Vivah Pooja is performed in different ways from community to community and depends on how the usual marriage ceremony is performed. It is observed on the Ekadasi that falls after Diwali. Some communities perform it on the day after Ekadasi, the Dwadashi day. In some regions, it is performed on the Kartik Purnima day. In some communities, the rituals begin on Ekadasi day and end on Poornima day.

How to do or Perform Tulsi Pooja 

Shaligram and Tulsi Plant

Two things necessary for the puja are Tulsi plant and Shaligram which represents Lord Vishnu. If Shaligram is not available, an image or idol of Lord Krishna or Lord Vishnu is used.

Prasad or Food Prepared on the day

A vegetarian meal is prepared on the day and offered to Tulsi and Lord Vishnu. The menu varies from region to region. Sweets are a must and are distributed after the Tulsi Vivah ceremony as Prasad.

Tulsi Vivah Ritual

A Tulsi plant that is three or more is chosen for the puja. The tulsi plant in front of the house is colored and decorated like a bride by applying turmeric and vermilion. Sugarcane sticks and tamarind and Amla branches are placed alongside the Tulsi pot. The Tusli Vivah ceremony takes place in the late evening. The Shaligram is placed next to Tulsi plant. Tulsi is the bride and Vishnu is the groom. A Mangal Sutra is tied on the Tulsi plant. Sometimes an elderly person in the family performs the Kanyadan. A cloth is tied to the Shaligram and Tusli plant. The Mantras that are recited during a marriage ceremony are recited here. The cloth is removed after the last mantra is recited. People also shower flowers, rice on the newlywed couple during the marriage ceremony. In some regions, the family that is performing the Tulsi Vivah goes round the Tusli plant and Shaligram four times and prays. Prasad is distributed among friends and relatives. In some regions, people undertake a fast from morning till the Tulsi Vivah puja is over.

Spiritual and Religious Importance of Tulsi Vivah

Legends

Tulsi Vivah is an age-old tradition that is spoken of in the Padma Purana. Legend has it that a king named Jalandhar got a boon that he will remain immortal as long as his wife Vrinda was chaste. This made King Jalandhar arrogant and he declared war on other kings and demi gods and tormented innocent people. Finally, the task of annihilating King Jalandhar fell on Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu in the guise of Jalandhar approached Vrinda and she mistook him for her husband. They lived like husband and wife. Soon Jalandhar was killed in a battle. This made Vrinda furious and she cursed Vishnu and made him turn to Shaligram. Lord Vishnu did not let Vrinda suffer for no fault of hers. She was turned into a Tulsi plant and given the boon that she would find a place in all houses and that she would be worshiped. Tulsi Vivah is performed to establish this divine relationship between Lord Vishnu and Vrinda.