Tulsi Vivah is a traditional Hindu festival that celebrates the ceremonial marriage of the sacred Tulsi plant (holy basil) to Lord Vishnu or his avatar, Krishna. It is observed in the month of Kartik and symbolizes devotion, purity, and prosperity.
According to legend, Tulsi was a devoted woman who wished to unite with Lord Vishnu, and her devotion made her the sacred plant we worship today. The festival is celebrated with rituals, prayers, and music in homes and temples. Tulsi Vivah brings families together and is believed to bring blessings, happiness, and well-being. By God's divine grace, I, Sarita Chandak, and my husband, Amit Chandak had the opportunity to perform Chaturmas Udyapan and Tulsi Vivah on November 2nd this year.
Chaturmas is a sacred four-month period that begins on Dev Shayani Ekadashi, the day when Bhagwan Vishnu goes into Yog Nidra (divine rest). This period reminds us to pause from our worldly routines and turn inward — to reflect, refine, and reconnect with our spiritual essence.
During these four months, devotees engage in extra spiritual practices such as reading scriptures, chanting the divine name (Naam Japam), observing fasts, and performing devotional rituals. After four months of divine rest, Bhagwan Vishnu awakens on Dev Uthani Ekadashi, which symbolizes the reawakening of consciousness. On this sacred day, the divine marriage of Tulsi (incarnation of Maa Lakshmi) and Shaligram (incarnation of Lord Vishnu) is celebrated with great devotion and joy. Although I now live in the United States, I grew up in India and carry beautiful childhood memories of Kaartik Maas. My sister and I would wake up during Brahma Muhurat, draw vibrant rangoli, and perform 108 pradakshinas around Tulsi Maata, singing bhajans in devotion with our Maa.
This year, I felt inspired to recreate those cherished moments here in the US — and it truly brought back waves of nostalgia and gratitude. On November 2nd, our family began the day's rituals with a Brahma Muhurat Pooja, performed with the guidance of our Panditji. Later in the morning, surrounded by family and friends, we sang devotional bhajans that followed the chronological sequence of the Ramayan events — from the divine birth of Lord Ram to the celebration of Ram Rajya.
My children, Ansh and Aisha, added a special touch to the event by giving Hindi narrations before each Bhajan, beautifully explaining the part of the Ramayan being depicted and the spiritual meaning behind each song. We began with an invocation to Lord Ganesha through a Ganesh Bhajan, followed by “Thumak Chalat Ram Chandra”, depicting Ram's Baal Leela. As the story progressed, we sang “Shri Ram Chandra Kripalu Bhaj Man”, representing Baal Kaand and the divine qualities of Lord Ram. The narration then led us to Sita Swayamvar and the divine wedding of Ram and Sita, expressed through the bhajans “Ram Ko Dekh Kar” and “Tum Utho Siya Shringaar Karo.”
The story continued with Kevat Samvaad, Shabari Prasang, Hanuman Bhakti, and Ram Naam Tarakam, eventually culminating in Lord Ram's return to Ayodhya. We concluded the event with “Nagari Ho Ayodhya Si” and chanting of Ram Naam, praying for the virtues of Ram Rajya to be reflected in our lives and society — a world filled with truth, compassion, and righteousness. This celebration was not just a religious ritual but a heartfelt connection between traditions and present devotion, reminding us that wherever we are, our culture and faith can continue to bloom through love, community, and sincere bhakti.- Information by Sarita Chandak- Our Overseas Correspondent Sheela Ramanan from San Antonio