Tulsi Vivah Katha: The Story of Vrinda

Tulsi Vivah is held on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi or Dwadashi; in many places it continues until the full moon. Traditionally, the tulsi pot is decorated like a bride with a red scarf and ornaments, a wedding canopy is made of sugarcane, and Tulsi is married with full rites to a Shaligram stone or an image of Vishnu, with the wedding rounds, songs and prasad. After this the wedding season begins.

The Shiv Puran tells that the fire of Bhagwan Shiv's anger fell into the ocean, and from it a boy was born who was named Jalandhar. He grew into a mighty asura king. His wife Vrinda, daughter of Kalanemi, was a great devotee of Bhagwan Vishnu and utterly devoted to her husband.

The strength of Vrinda's devotion and penance made Jalandhar unbeatable. Proud of this, he troubled the devas and even went to war with Shiv. The devas realised that as long as Vrinda's vow stayed unbroken, Jalandhar could not be defeated. Then, to protect the devas, Bhagwan Vishnu took Jalandhar's form and went before Vrinda. Believing her husband had returned, Vrinda's resolve was broken, and at that moment Shiv slew Jalandhar in battle.

When Vrinda learned the truth, she was heartbroken. She said to Vishnu, 'You broke my vow by deceit, so you shall become stone.' Vishnu accepted the curse, and came to be worshipped as the Shaligram stone. Vrinda gave up her body.

Where Vrinda left her body, a plant grew: the tulsi. Honouring Vrinda's devotion, Vishnu said that Tulsi would be dearest to him, that no worship of his would be complete without a tulsi leaf, and that in his Shaligram form he would be married to Tulsi. That is why Tulsi Vivah is celebrated every year. (The Padma Puran also tells this story, with some differences.)