In Sanatan Dharma, the Tulsi plant holds great significance and is revered as sacred. Known also as Vrinda, Tulsi is worshipped across India, especially during the auspicious Tulsi Vivah ceremony. This sacred occasion falls on the Ekadashi or Dwadashi date of the Shukla Paksha in the Kartik month, coinciding with the Devuthani Ekadashi. This day is considered particularly holy because it marks the awakening of Lord Vishnu from his Yog Nidra in the Kshirsagar, signaling the end of his cosmic slumber and the beginning of a new cycle of auspicious activities in the Hindu community. The ritual of Tulsi Vivah, performed with the Shaligram form of Lord Vishnu, is a celebration of both devotion and cosmic renewal.

The story behind Tulsi Vivah is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology. Originally named Vrinda, Tulsi was a devoted wife to Jalandhar, a mighty demon. Vrinda was blessed with a boon that protected her husband from any harm, making him invincible. However, the gods, unable to defeat Jalandhar due to this divine protection, sought the help of Lord Vishnu. To break the boon, Lord Vishnu, through deception, assumed the form of Jalandhar and visited Vrinda. In doing so, he violated her chastity, and as a result, the divine protection over Jalandhar was lifted, leading to his death.

Devastated by the betrayal, Vrinda cursed Lord Vishnu, transforming him into stone. Acknowledging her pain and anger, Vishnu accepted the curse and took the form of a Shaligram stone, which is revered by devotees today. Moved by Vrinda’s unwavering devotion, Lord Vishnu later proposed marriage to her, and she became his wife in the form of Tulsi. From then on, the Tulsi plant and the Shaligram stone are worshipped together in the Tulsi Vivah ceremony every year.

During Tulsi Vivah, the plant is treated with great reverence and decorated with clothes, garlands, jewelry, and flowers, much like a bride preparing for her wedding. This sacred ceremony is believed to cleanse one of past sins and bring prosperity. In addition, it is believed that unmarried individuals who participate in this ritual are blessed with a suitable life partner. Sage Parasara, a revered figure in Hindu tradition, also extolled the importance of the Tulsi plant, highlighting its medicinal properties and its role in promoting health and well-being. He encouraged people to plant Tulsi for the welfare of society, as it offers various remedies for ailments and plays an essential part in the worship of many Hindu deities.

Tulsi holds a special place in the spiritual practices of Hindus. It is believed that offering Tulsi leaves to Lord Vishnu can help resolve marital issues and bring harmony to relationships. According to various sacred texts, even a single Tulsi leaf is said to please Lord Vishnu with more than a thousand jars of nectar (Amrit). 

The significance of Tulsi extends to various aspects of life:

• For those experiencing delays in marriage, gifting a Tulsi plant is considered more powerful than donating a thousand cows.

• Those facing obstacles in their marriage are encouraged to chant "Sri Hari" with a Tulsi mala, which is believed to remove these hindrances.

• Couples who are facing marital discord or lack of love are advised to care for a Tulsi plant by watering it daily and lighting lamps near it. This ritual, performed both morning and evening, is said to restore peace and affection in the relationship.

This year, Tulsi Vivah will be observed on November 12, coinciding with Devuthani Ekadashi. The Ekadashi fast will end at 4:04 pm, and the Dwadashi tithi will begin, lasting until 1:01 pm on November 13. Since Tulsi Vivah is performed during the Pradosh Kaal (the evening hours), the auspicious time for the ceremony on November 12 will be from 5:29 pm to 7:53 pm.