Tulsi Viwah

Click to view pictures of 2007 Tulsi Viwah


Tulsi Viwah starts on the first ekadashi after Diwali. The wedding ceremony of Lord Narayan to Tulsi is celebrated at Shree Swaminarayan Temple Willesden and is hosted by two families. The story behind Tulsi Viwah is as follows:

Tulsi was a beautiful young girl who wanted to marry Bhagwan Narayan. After praying for many years, Lord Bramha gave her Darshan. Tulsi was lucky enough to get a place to serve Lord Shree Krishna. During the Raas Leela, Radhaji became very angry wih Tulsi and gave her a curse to be born on Earth in a human form. Brahmaji told Tulsi about Jalandhar who was also cursed by Radhaji. Jalandhar was part of a demonic group due to the curse.

For Lord Narayan to accept Tulsi as His wife, she would firstly have to marry Jalandhar. After their marriage, Jalandhar ruled over his state and all his orders were obeyed. The Gods were not pleased as they were deprived of their kingdom. Lord Vishnu (otherwise known as Lord Narayan) explained to Lord Shankar that Jalandhar had auspicious armour that would protect him from anyone. He gave Lord Shankar a trishul that would kill Jalandhar if he took the armour off. The next day Jalandhar went to Lord Shankar to declare war against the Gods. In the battle some demons defeated the warriors from Lord Shankar's army.
Then Lord Vishnu came disguised as a Brahmin and got the armour off Jalandhar. Lord Shankar threw the trishul at Jalandhar and killed him. Lord Vishnu appeared before Tulsi in the form of Jalandhar, but she realised that He wasn't her real husband. She confronted Him and only then did He reveal His true identity. Lord Vishnu told Tulsi to leave her earthly body and go with Him to live as His wife. He said her present body will form a holy river called Gandaki and her hair will become the plant Tulsi, which will be used in the pooja to Gods.
One who has a Tulsi leaf in their mouth at the time of death shall be released from all sins. Those who wear a rosary made from Tulsi beads shall get abode from the Gods. Lord Vishnu said He would become a Shaligram (the stone form of Vishnu) and will stay on the banks of the Gandaki River.

To this day, pieces of the Shaligram stone can be found in the Gandaki River. 'Viwah' means wedding, therefore Tulsi Viwah is the marriage ceremony of Tulsibai to Lord Shree Narayan. Every year the anniversary of Tulsi Viwah is celebrated at Temples on the first ekadashi in the New Year.

Related Links:

Ekadashi

Guru Purnima

Holi

Janmastmi

Swaminarayan Ramnavmi

Shivratri

Diwali

Vijya dashmi

Vasant panchmi