Utthana Dvadasi or Tulsi (Pooja) Vivaha
Lord Vishnu, after a long war, killed demon Shankasura and went to sleep in his ocean of milk on Ashadha Sukla Ekadasi day. While the Protector was asleep, the world and humans were vulnerable to destruction by evil powers. On Kartika Sukla Dvadasi day, Vishnu woke up (Utthana means getting up) to perform His duty. It was on this day that the lord married Tulsi (born by churning of the ocean of milk).
To celebrate the day, Hindu families keep a basil platform (vrindavan) on the right side of the house. The tulsi plant is watered and decorated with rangoli, haldi (turmeric), kumkum, flowers and gooseberry branches (nellikaai) and arathi, Lamps (jyothi) are lit around the vrindavan. An idol of Lord Krishna is traditionally kept near the plant and worshipped with flowers, milk and sweets like payasam made of beaten rice (avalakki), jaggery and coconut burfi. Prayers are offered for wealth, peace and prosperity and bhajans on Krishna and Tulsi are sung. Bursting of crackers is also common on this day.
The belief is that by worshiping Krishna and Tulsi, the head of the family attains moksha (exemption from further transmigration) and is blessed with material and spiritual benefits.
Comments
Lata
Fri, 2008-11-21 12:37
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Hi Lakshmi, thanks for describing the story behind the Tulsi vivah...looks like an elaborate puja. Is that maavilakku at the right corner? If it is, can you share some with me...just kidding
lakshmiraghu
Fri, 2008-11-21 20:23
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Hi Lata thanks for ur appreciation.yes ur right it is an elaborate puja. it is not maavilakku,but it is nellikaai vilakku,this nellikaai vilakku is most important thing in this pooja.thank youwe do it like a real marriage.(VIshnuand thulasi)
priya rao
Sat, 2008-11-22 00:04
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lakshmi devi This is totally a new festival. Good information .thanks for sharing with us.keep send some more like this.
lakshmiraghu
Sat, 2008-11-22 02:26
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priya thank u so much.
LATHA KRISHNAMURTHY
Sat, 2008-11-22 00:32
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hi
good hear such stories.keep sending such informations. can u send me som kolams which we put on marriage and other functions ..........
lakshmiraghu
Sat, 2008-11-22 02:29
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LATHA KRISHNAMURTHY thanks alot.yes i will try to send some rangolis like which u ask thank u
ashanagendra
Sun, 2008-11-23 21:58
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it is like taking spirutual classes ,really i am very happy to know about our religious festivals.thanks a lot lakshmi.and one small request please tell us when these festivals are celebrated, 2 days in advance so ,that even we can do puja on that day .thank you once again.
Lata
Sun, 2008-11-23 22:00
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That's a great idea Asha, maybe Lakshmi can post a calender with events, so we can all be prepared and exchange ideas/tips too.
lakshmiraghu
Sun, 2008-11-23 22:15
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Lata OMY god!!iam in L K G only (calender...events...)dont know much!!!!
Lata
Sun, 2008-11-23 22:26
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Lakshmi, I just created a group called Religious functions and events, so, everybody can post such events/messages in that group, and I'm sure this will be of benefit to all of us. Adding an event is easy, just go the right-side vertical bar on this site, click on activity under create content, and enter the date/event details.
lakshmiraghu
Sun, 2008-11-23 23:06
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Lata , great idea thank u ..
lakshmiraghu
Sun, 2008-11-23 22:02
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Asha thank u so much for ur interest.yes i will try to do next time .
vijikrishnan_52
Thu, 2008-12-18 10:47
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Hai Lakshmi very very nice. No wards to appreciate. I too had done this puja. But yours is really great. The nellikai villakku is really a surprise to me. Send the details to my id pl.
viji
lakshmiraghu
Thu, 2008-12-18 17:35
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Viji madam thanks a lot...
vanihomework
Thu, 2013-10-17 06:54
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With this auspicious day approaching (less than a month) I am just refreshing my memory. Have never done this before. Plan to do it this year. Thanks for such wonderful explanation and also for the guidance.
rgds, vani