Tulsi Vivah 2026: Quick Answer
Tulsi Vivah 2026 falls on Saturday, 21 November 2026, on Kartik Shukla Dwadashi (Dwadashi runs from 6:31 AM on 21 November to 4:56 AM on 22 November in New Delhi). The ceremony is traditionally performed in the evening around sunset (Godhuli) — in Delhi, sunset is around 5:25 PM. In many families Tulsi Vivah is done on the evening of Dev Uthani Ekadashi (20 November), and in some regions any day up to Kartik Purnima (24 November).
| Detail | Timing (New Delhi) |
|---|---|
| Tulsi Vivah | Saturday, 21 November 2026 |
| Dwadashi tithi | 6:31 AM, 21 Nov – 4:56 AM, 22 Nov |
| Preferred time | Evening, around sunset (~5:25 PM) |
| Dev Uthani Ekadashi | Friday, 20 November |
| Kartik Purnima | Tuesday, 24 November |
What Is Tulsi Vivah?
Tulsi Vivah is the ceremonial marriage of the holy Tulsi plant (a form of Goddess Lakshmi / Vrinda) with Lord Vishnu in the form of Shaligram (or Krishna). It marks Vishnu's awakening after Chaturmas and the start of the wedding season. Performing it, especially the kanyadan of Tulsi, is believed to bring the merit of a daughter's marriage.
The Story of Vrinda
Vrinda, a great devotee of Vishnu, was married to the demon king Jalandhar, whose power came from her chastity. To defeat Jalandhar, Vishnu took his form and broke Vrinda's vow; Jalandhar was killed. Learning the truth, Vrinda cursed Vishnu to become a stone — the Shaligram. She gave up her body, and from her ashes grew the Tulsi plant. Vishnu blessed her: she would be worshipped forever and he would marry her every year as Shaligram.
Samagri
- •Tulsi plant in a pot, decorated
- •Shaligram stone or Vishnu/Krishna idol
- •Sugarcane for the mandap
- •Red chunri, small saree, bangles, bindi, sindoor, mehendi (Tulsi's shringar)
- •Yellow cloth for Shaligram
- •Haldi, roli, akshat, kalava
- •Ghee lamp, incense, camphor
- •Flowers, garlands (two)
- •Seasonal fruits: amla, ber, singhara, sweet potato, guava
- •Sweets, panchamrit, coconut
- •Kalash with water
Step-by-Step Vidhi
- 1Clean the courtyard; place the Tulsi pot on a chowki and decorate it with rangoli.
- 2Build a mandap of four sugarcanes over the Tulsi.
- 3Dress Tulsi in a red chunri and shringar; place Shaligram on the right side in yellow cloth.
- 4Worship Ganesha, then the kalash.
- 5Apply haldi to both (haldi ritual) and offer roli, akshat, flowers.
- 6Exchange garlands.
- 7Kanyadan: the host family offers Tulsi to Shaligram.
- 8Pheras: a male member carries Shaligram around Tulsi seven times while others sing mangal geet.
- 9Offer bhog, perform aarti and distribute prasad.
Mantra: "Om Tulasyai Namah", "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya".
After Tulsi Vivah
Donate Tulsi's chunri and shringar to a married woman, share the sugarcane as prasad, light a lamp before Tulsi daily until Kartik Purnima and protect the plant from winter frost.
Tulsi Rules at Home
Keep Tulsi in the courtyard, balcony or north-east; don't pluck leaves on Sunday, Ekadashi or after sunset; don't use nails to pluck; offer tulsi to Vishnu and Krishna but not to Ganesha.
Community Tulsi Vivah
Many temples and societies hold group Tulsi Vivah ceremonies with a baraat, songs and a feast — a lovely way to involve children.
Summary
Tulsi Vivah 2026 is on Saturday, 21 November (or on the evening of 20 November in many families). Decorate Tulsi as a bride, build a sugarcane mandap, perform haldi, garland exchange, kanyadan and seven pheras with Shaligram in the evening, and share the prasad. See Dev Uthani Ekadashi 2026.
