Uthwana Dwadashi / Tulasi Habba or Tulasi Pooja is celebrated mostly in karnataka and Andhrapradesh. Tulasi Pooja is celebrated a fortnight after Deepavali. Tulasi vivaha is celebrated on the next day of Karthik Ekadashi i.e. on Karthik Shukla Dwadashi. This day is also called as Chilku Dwadashi. This is the twelfth day in the first fortnight of the month Karthigai. It signifies the day Tulasi married Lord Vishnu.
Legends behind the Pooja :
Tulasi came out of the ocean during Amrita Manthan as a younger sister of Lakshmi. She too was devoted to Lord Vishnu and wanted to marry him. But Lakshmi who was already married to him did not like the idea and cursed her to become a plant. Thus the tulasi plant was born. But the all merciful Lord Vishnu took pity and fulfilling her wish declared that when he will be in the form of a saligrama, found in most temples and madhwa houses, she will remain close to him in the form of a tulasi leaf. Therefore even today a saligrama will have a tulsi leaf along with it.
Another Legend is : Tulsi, a devotee of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu, was married to the demon King Jalandhar. She prayed to Lord Vishnu to protect her demon husband. With the humble blessings from Lord Vishnu, Jalandhar harassed saints and sages. To prevent the world from the demon, Lord Maha Vishnu took the form of Jalandhar and stayed with Tulsi.
After the death of Jalandhar, Vrinda knew the truth and cursed Lord Vishnu and turned him to stone and collapsed. The stone is called as ‘Shaligram’. Then, she emerged as Tulsi plant. This is the reason why Vishnu Puja will not be completed without the leaves of Tulsi plant.
Celebrations :
Tulsivrindavan is adorned like a bride. Along with tulsi, the plants of amla, sugarcane and tamarind are planted. Special feast is prepared consisting of delicious vegetarian dishes. A full meal consisting of puri, rice, sweet potato kheer, moongachi gathi, red pumpkin vegetable is offered to Tulsi Vrindavan in the afternoon time. The ceremony of wedding takes place during evening. Several dishes made from poha are served to Lord Vishnu. Prasad is then distributed amongst all.
This ceremonial day marks the beginning of the auspicious marriage season for Hindus.
The following link shows as to, how Tulasi plant is decorated for the Tulasi Vivah :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/amitpise/2543565651/
(few points i have collected from http://www.trsiyengar.com/)
Legends behind the Pooja :
Tulasi came out of the ocean during Amrita Manthan as a younger sister of Lakshmi. She too was devoted to Lord Vishnu and wanted to marry him. But Lakshmi who was already married to him did not like the idea and cursed her to become a plant. Thus the tulasi plant was born. But the all merciful Lord Vishnu took pity and fulfilling her wish declared that when he will be in the form of a saligrama, found in most temples and madhwa houses, she will remain close to him in the form of a tulasi leaf. Therefore even today a saligrama will have a tulsi leaf along with it.
Another Legend is : Tulsi, a devotee of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu, was married to the demon King Jalandhar. She prayed to Lord Vishnu to protect her demon husband. With the humble blessings from Lord Vishnu, Jalandhar harassed saints and sages. To prevent the world from the demon, Lord Maha Vishnu took the form of Jalandhar and stayed with Tulsi.
After the death of Jalandhar, Vrinda knew the truth and cursed Lord Vishnu and turned him to stone and collapsed. The stone is called as ‘Shaligram’. Then, she emerged as Tulsi plant. This is the reason why Vishnu Puja will not be completed without the leaves of Tulsi plant.
Celebrations :
Tulsivrindavan is adorned like a bride. Along with tulsi, the plants of amla, sugarcane and tamarind are planted. Special feast is prepared consisting of delicious vegetarian dishes. A full meal consisting of puri, rice, sweet potato kheer, moongachi gathi, red pumpkin vegetable is offered to Tulsi Vrindavan in the afternoon time. The ceremony of wedding takes place during evening. Several dishes made from poha are served to Lord Vishnu. Prasad is then distributed amongst all.
This ceremonial day marks the beginning of the auspicious marriage season for Hindus.
The following link shows as to, how Tulasi plant is decorated for the Tulasi Vivah :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/amitpise/2543565651/
(few points i have collected from http://www.trsiyengar.com/)
