Ekadasi is an auspicious day dedicated to Lord Vishnu on the 11th day of every lunar

fortnight in traditional Hindu calendar. On the 11th Day (Ekadashi) of Shukla Paksh in
the month of Karthik, the festival of Devuthan Ekadashi is celebrated. lt is also
called Prabodini Ekadasi or Hari Bodhini Ekadasi or Uthwana Ekadashi or Kartiki
Ekadashi. It is believed that on this day Lord Vishnu had woken up after a rest of four
months. Hence, this day marks the end of Chaturmaas.
This day is considered as a very auspicious day and marriages take place on this day all
over India. All auspicious work that could not be done during the Chaturmaas are started
on this day. In 2010 Devuthan Ekadashi will be celebrated on Wednesday, 17 November
2010.
Majority of the people perform Tulsi Vivah on the day of Karthik Ekadashi. On this day
Tulsi is married to Saaligram.
Bhisma Panchak is also observed on 17 Nov 2010 continued to 21 November 2010.

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‘Tulsi vivah’ refers to an age-old ritual of Tulsi Devi’s marriagewith lord Vishnu or his
incarnation Krishna. Tulsi Vivah is an auspicious ritual observed in Kartik month of
Hindu Calendar. Tulsi vivah is performed by Hindu communities during different period.
Any day starting from the Ekadasi (after Amavasi) in Kartik month to Purnima (the full
moon day) in Kartik Month is chosen to perform Tulsi Vivah. Majority of the people
perform Tulsi Vivah on the Ekadasi day. On this day Tulsi is married to Saaligram. This
year, Tulsi Vivah will be celebrated on 17th November 2010.

Tulsi vivah is an important ritual observed in the month of Kartik (October – November).
It is the symbolic wedding of Tulsi devi to Shaligram shila. Tulsi vivha marks the end of
the monsoon and the beginning of the Hindu wedding season. Popular belief is that
performing the wedding ceremony of marrying Tulsi to Vishnu considering her as their
daughter is equal to performing Kanyadan.

Tulsi is worshipped as a deity. She is considered as an incarnation of Sri Mahalakshmi

who was born as Sri Vrinda. Tulsi devi is also known as an exalted devotee of Lord
Krishna. The glories of Tulsi devi are mentioned in Skanda purana, Pdama purana and
other devotional literature of Hindus.
Legend and celebrations of Tulsi vivah :

When Tulsi devi was on the earth, she was married to demon Jalandar. He was the king of
oceans and had immense powers. When demoniac people get powers they exploit it by
harassing others. Demon Jalandar did the same thing. He started exploiting everyone
around. But as he was married to a great devotee, with the result that no god was able to
harm him. However on the request of the other gods, Lord Vishnu took the form of
Jalandhar and stayed with the unsuspecting Tulsi. When the truth emerged after
Jalandhar's death, Vrinda crused Vishnu and turned him to stone (Shaligram) and
collapsed. From her body emerged the tulsi plant. That is why Vishnu pooja is considered
incomplete without tulsi leaves. As per a blessing by Vishnu to marry Vrinda in her next
birth, Vishnu in form of Shaligram – married Tulsi on Prabodhini Ekadashi. To
commemorate this event, the ceremony of Tulsi Vivah is performed.

Another minor legend narrates that Lakshmi – the chief consort of Vishnu – slew a
demon on this day and remained on earth as the Tulsi plant.

The very name Tulsi, that which cannot be compared, the "incomparable one", has
spiritually uplifting qualities. Tulsi has been found to possess extraordinary powers of
healing. Tulsi, or the Holy Basil, is the sacred plant of the Hindus and symbolizes purity
and is famous for its medicinal properties.

Happy Tulsi Vivah

Vrindaayai Thulasee Devyai,

Priyaayai KesavyasyaCha,
Kesavaarthe sinomi
Dhwaam Varadhaa bhava sarvatha

Om Tat Sat