Tulsi Vivah 2026 will be celebrated on Saturday, 21 November 2026, the day after Dev Uthani Ekadashi (Friday, 20 November). It is the symbolic wedding of the holy Tulsi plant with Lord Vishnu in the form of Shaligram (or Lord Krishna), and it marks the start of the Hindu wedding season. Some families perform the ceremony on the Ekadashi itself, so Tulsi Vivah may be observed from 20 to 21 November depending on tradition. Here is the date, meaning, samagri, step-by-step vidhi and the story of Vrinda.
Tulsi Vivah 2026 Date
| Dev Uthani (Prabodhini) Ekadashi | Friday, 20 November 2026 |
| Tulsi Vivah (Dwadashi) | Saturday, 21 November 2026 |
| Puja time | Evening, after sunset (Pradosh Kaal) – confirm with your local panchang |
| Observed until | Kartik Purnima (Tuesday, 24 November) in some regions |
What Is Tulsi Vivah?
According to Hindu belief, Lord Vishnu sleeps for four months (Chaturmas) from Devshayani Ekadashi and wakes on Dev Uthani Ekadashi. Weddings and major auspicious ceremonies traditionally pause during Chaturmas. Once Vishnu awakens, the first wedding performed is his marriage to Tulsi — after which the season of Hindu weddings begins. Families who perform Tulsi Vivah, especially those without daughters, are believed to earn the merit of kanyadaan.
The Story of Vrinda and Tulsi
Vrinda was a devoted wife of the powerful demon king Jalandhar. Her purity and devotion made her husband invincible, and he began terrorising the gods. To defeat him, Lord Vishnu took the form of Jalandhar and broke Vrinda’s vow of chastity, after which Jalandhar was killed in battle. When Vrinda learned the truth, she cursed Vishnu to become a stone — the Shaligram — and gave up her life. From her ashes grew the Tulsi plant. Moved by her devotion, Vishnu declared that he would marry her in the form of Shaligram every year, and that no worship of his would be complete without Tulsi leaves.
Tulsi Vivah Samagri List
- A healthy Tulsi plant in a decorated pot (Tulsi chaura)
- Shaligram stone or an idol/image of Lord Vishnu or Krishna
- Sugarcane stalks to make a wedding mandap
- Red chunri, bangles, bindi, sindoor and small jewellery for Tulsi (solah shringar)
- Yellow cloth (dhoti) for Shaligram
- Haldi, kumkum, rice, flowers, garlands, diya and incense
- Fruits such as amla, ber, sweet potato, water chestnut and seasonal produce
- Sweets, panchamrit and a coconut
Tulsi Vivah 2026 Puja Vidhi (Step by Step)
- Clean and decorate the courtyard or balcony; make rangoli around the Tulsi pot.
- Build the mandap by tying sugarcane stalks around the Tulsi.
- Dress Tulsi as a bride in a red chunri with bangles and shringar.
- Place Shaligram beside the Tulsi on the right, dressed in yellow.
- Perform Ganesh puja first, then offer haldi, kumkum, flowers and panchamrit to both.
- Tie the knot – a sacred thread or cloth connects Tulsi and Shaligram.
- Pheras – the person holding Shaligram circles the Tulsi seven times while mantras or wedding songs are sung.
- Aarti and prasad – perform the aarti and distribute sweets and fruits.
Tulsi Vivah Traditions Across India
- Maharashtra and Gujarat: full wedding rituals with mangalashtak songs and a feast.
- Uttar Pradesh and Bihar: Dev Uthani Ekadashi celebrated with sugarcane and new harvest fruits.
- Temples: grand ceremonies at Vishnu and Krishna temples, including ISKCON centres.
- Weddings: the busy wedding season in North and West India begins after Tulsi Vivah.
Benefits of Keeping a Tulsi Plant
Tulsi (holy basil) is revered in Hindu homes and used in Ayurveda for teas and home remedies. Keep it in bright sunlight, water it moderately, and pinch off the flower spikes to keep the plant bushy. Traditionally, Tulsi leaves are not plucked on Ekadashi, Sundays or after sunset.
Festival Calendar Around Tulsi Vivah 2026
| Festival | Date |
|---|---|
| Chhath Puja (main) | Sunday, 15 November |
| Dev Uthani Ekadashi | Friday, 20 November |
| Tulsi Vivah | Saturday, 21 November |
| Guru Nanak Jayanti / Kartik Purnima | Tuesday, 24 November |
See our Chhath Puja 2026 and Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026 guides. Planning a wedding this season? Send blessings with our wedding wishes.
Tulsi Vivah 2026 FAQ
When is Tulsi Vivah in 2026?
Saturday, 21 November 2026 (Dev Uthani Ekadashi is on Friday, 20 November).
Why is Tulsi married to Shaligram?
Because of Lord Vishnu’s promise to Vrinda, who became the Tulsi plant, that he would marry her every year in the form of Shaligram.
Why does the wedding season start after Tulsi Vivah?
Auspicious ceremonies pause during Chaturmas while Vishnu sleeps; after he awakens and marries Tulsi, weddings resume.
Read more about Tulsi Vivah on Wikipedia.
