Tulsi Vivah Pooja: A Detailed Guide
Tulsi Vivah Pooja: The Sacred Marriage of Tulsi
A guide on performing the Tulsi Vivah Pooja, celebrating the marriage of Tulsi to Lord Vishnu.
The Purpose of the Pooja
The Tulsi Vivah Pooja celebrates the ceremonial marriage of the Tulsi (holy basil) plant to Lord Vishnu. It is performed to seek blessings for marital happiness, prosperity, and spiritual growth.
Items Required
- Tulsi plant
- Lord Vishnu idol or image (Shaligram)
- A raised platform
- Red cloth
- Sugarcane
- Flowers (especially marigold and jasmine)
- Incense sticks
- Ghee lamp
- Betel leaves and nuts
- Fruits
- Sweets
- Bridal attire for Tulsi (saree, jewelry)
The Pooja Procedure
- Preparation: Clean the pooja area and set up the raised platform. Place the Tulsi plant and the Lord Vishnu idol or image on it. Decorate the Tulsi plant with bridal attire.
- Invocation: Light the ghee lamp and incense sticks. Invoke Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles.
- Kanya Daan: Perform the Kanya Daan ceremony, where the Tulsi plant is symbolically given away as a bride to Lord Vishnu.
- Mangalsutra: Tie a mangalsutra (sacred thread) around the Tulsi plant.
- Parikrama: Circumambulate the Tulsi plant and Lord Vishnu idol.
- Offerings: Offer flowers, fruits, and sweets to the deities.
- Aarti: Perform the aarti with a ghee lamp, singing devotional songs.
- Prayer: Offer your prayers and ask for blessings of marital happiness, prosperity, and spiritual growth.
- Distribution: Distribute the prasad (blessed food) to everyone.
Vishnu Mantra
Mantra: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
Transliteration: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
Breakdown:
- Om: The primordial sound.
- Namo: Salutations.
- Bhagavate: To the Lord.
- Vasudevaya: To Vasudeva (Lord Vishnu).
Meaning: "Om. Salutations to Lord Vishnu."
Deity: Lord Vishnu and Tulsi (Goddess Lakshmi in plant form).
Origin Story: Tulsi Vivah celebrates the marriage of Tulsi to Lord Vishnu. Tulsi is considered very sacred and is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi.
How and When to Chant: This mantra can be chanted daily, especially during the Tulsi Vivah Pooja. Chant with devotion and a clear intention to seek blessings for marital happiness and spiritual growth.
Benefits: Performing the Tulsi Vivah Pooja and chanting this mantra is believed to bring marital happiness, prosperity, spiritual growth, and the blessings of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi.