The Tulasi Vivaha Mantra is chanted during the ceremonial marriage of the Tulsi plant (holy basil) to Lord Vishnu in the form of the Shaligram stone. This ritual is primarily observed on the day of Kartik Shukla Dwadashi or Kartik Purnima, as prescribed in the Padma Purana and Skanda Purana. According to the Padma Purana (Uttara Khanda), Tulsi is an incarnation of Vrinda, the devoted wife of the demon Jalandhar, who was granted the boon of being wedded to Vishnu after her self-immolation. The Skanda Purana (Vaishnava Khanda) elaborates on the importance of Tulsi worship and the marriage ceremony, stating that it bestows the same merit as performing a thousand Ashvamedha sacrifices. The mantra itself is a simple invocation, often beginning with 'Om Tulasyai Namah' and 'Om Shaligramaya Namah', accompanied by Vedic marriage hymns. The beej-akshara 'Om' is the primordial sound, and 'Tulasyai' is the dative form of Tulasi, indicating offering. The phonetics emphasize devotion and surrender. The traditional purpose includes seeking marital blessings, household harmony, and spiritual merit. It is believed to remove obstacles in marriage, promote conjugal bliss, and ensure the well-being of the family. The recommended chanting context is during the wedding ceremony, which involves decorating the Tulsi plant as a bride and the Shaligram as the groom, followed by a ritualistic marriage. Chanting is typically done 108 times using a tulsi mala. The ceremony is performed in the evening, and it is customary to offer sweets, fruits, and a sacred thread. Cautions include maintaining purity and devotion; the mantra should not be chanted casually or without proper intent. The ritual is especially significant in Vaishnava traditions and is observed across India.
The Tulsi plant decorated as a bride, and Shaligram as the groom, their ceremonial wedding.