Tulsi, also known as Basil, is a holy plant in India. This plant is considered to be a  form of Goddess Laxmi and worshiped daily.

Tulsi Vivah,marriage of Tulsi plant with Lord Vishnu, festival is an important festival in India.

This festival is celebrated on Prabodhini Ekadashi of Kartik month of Hindu calendar. It comes on the 11th day after Diwali.

The story behind this custom is unique and very inspiring. A girl named Vrunda used to worship Lord Vishnu and was a true devotee. She was married to a demon called Jalandhar and she was very dedicated wife.

Whenever Jalandhar went for a war, Vrunda worshiped for the protection of her husband’s life. She made an rule to perform pooja and worship until her husband came back from the war alive.

Due to his wife’s devotion Jalandhar became invincible. All the Gods could not kill him, and he was becoming more powerful that did not prove good for the world. Therefore, all the Gods went to request Lord Vishnu for help.

Lord Vishnu then took form of Jalandhar and appeared in front of Vrunda and she immediately interrupted her worship which broke her intention. Due to this, her husband Jalandhar got killed by beheading and his head fell at home.

Vrunda realised that the person in front of her is not her husband. Lord Vishnu then appeared in his true form. Vrunda felt cheated and insulted and she immediately cursed Lord Vishnu and turned him into a stone. This stone is commonly known as Shaligram.

Upon everyone’s request Vrunda to set Lord Vishnu free from this curse, Vrunda agreed and did just that. But she burned herself with the head of demon Jalandhar and became Sati (immortal).

In that place, a plant was grown which was named as Tulsi, a synonym for Vrunda.

Lord Vishnu had promised to marry her in her next birth and on the Prabodhini Ekadashi stone Shaligram, an avatar of Lord Vishnu and Tulsi plant were married. From that day onwards Indians celebrate the self-sacrificial and devotional attitude of Tulsi.

On this day, we put a sari on the Tulsi plant and clad it with all jewellery and accessories, and dress the Tulsi plant like a bride.

A mandap is also created just for the wedding for the wedding.

The groom, Lord Vishnu’s idol or Shaligram stone or Lord Krishna/Vishu’s image is kept beside her to celebrate the Tulsi Vivah Festival. The entire place is decorated with flowers and lightning plus invited guests participate.

The Basil Plant Tulsi and Lord Vishnu’s idol are surrounded with a mala of flowers.

Full ceremony with all the rituals of a real marriage is performed with Tulsi plant and Lord Vishnu’s Idol.