Tulsi Vivah 2026 Date: 21 November, Vidhi & Story
Tulsi Vivah 2026 is on Saturday, 21 November 2026, on Kartik Shukla Dwadashi, the day after Dev Uthani Ekadashi. Many families perform the ceremony in the evening; some hold it on the evening of Ekadashi itself, and in parts of India it continues until Kartik Purnima on 24 November.
| Date | Saturday, 21 November 2026 |
| Tithi | Kartik Shukla Dwadashi |
| Day before | Dev Uthani Ekadashi, 20 November 2026 |
| Period observed in some regions | Ekadashi (20 Nov) to Kartik Purnima (24 Nov) |
What is Tulsi Vivah?
Tulsi Vivah is the ceremonial marriage of the holy basil plant (Tulsi), revered as a form of Goddess Lakshmi, with Lord Vishnu in the form of a Shaligram stone or an image of Krishna. It marks the start of the Hindu wedding season after Chaturmas and is widely performed in homes and temples, particularly in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
The best-known story links Tulsi to Vrinda, the devoted wife of the demon king Jalandhar. After Vishnu’s role in Jalandhar’s defeat, Vrinda became the Tulsi plant and was blessed that Vishnu would marry her, and that no worship of Vishnu would be complete without Tulsi leaves. Accounts differ across Puranas and regional traditions.
How Tulsi Vivah is performed
- The Tulsi plant in its pot (or a Tulsi vrindavan) is cleaned and decorated like a bride, with a red chunri, bangles, bindi and a small mangalsutra.
- A mandap is made around the plant with sugarcane stalks.
- The Shaligram or Krishna image is placed beside Tulsi, dressed as the groom.
- The ceremony follows a simple wedding: sankalp, kanyadaan (often by a couple acting as Tulsi’s parents), tying of a sacred thread, and pheras around the plant.
- Offerings include seasonal produce such as sugarcane, amla, water chestnut and sweet potato, and sweets.
- Families sing mangal geet (wedding songs) and distribute prasad.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tulsi Vivah on 20 or 21 November 2026?
Drik Panchang lists Tulsi Vivah on Saturday, 21 November 2026 for New Delhi. Families that perform it on Ekadashi evening will hold it on 20 November.
Can Tulsi Vivah be done at home?
Yes. Most Tulsi Vivah ceremonies are performed at home with the family’s own Tulsi plant, with or without a priest.
