Tulsi Vivah Story Hindu Mythological Legends

Legend of Tulsi: Tulsi had married the evil demon king Jalandhar, but requested Lord Vishnu that her husband would never come to harm. However, because the demon king indulged in evil practices and could not be destroyed by the Gods, the Gods approached Lord Vishnu to do something to save the world from the demon. Lord Vishnu took the form of Jalandhar and stayed with the unsuspecting Tulsi, who did not realize that her husband was actually killed. When Tulsi realized that she had been tricked, she got very angry and cursed Vishnu, transforming him into a black stone (Shaligram). She then collapsed and from her body emerged the tulsi plant..

Tulsi plant

Legend of Tulsi Vivah Ceremony

My aunt related two lovely mythological stories on Tulsi.

One is the story of the Tulsi Vivah ceremony: Vrinda (Tulsi’s birth name) wished to marry Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna said that Tulsi would always be his close sakhi (friend) like Radha and have a place in his heart but could never have place inside his home. However, Lord Krishna said that as a close sakhi, no puja of Lord Krishna would ever be complete with her and that Tulsi would always find a place outside every home where he was worshipped. Hence, to this day, the Tulsi plant is grown in the courtyard of a home and every offering made to Lord Krishna includes a few tulsi leaves.
  

Know about the traditional Tulsi Vivah Ceremony

Story of Tulsi related to the Mahabharata: Lord Surya had presented the Pandavas with an Akshaya Patra so that they could have unlimited food during their exile. However, once the thalis (plates) in which they ate were washed and overturned to dry, no more food would be available. Duryodhan knew about this and was determined to create trouble for the Pandavas, so came up with the idea of sending Sage Durvasa and other rishis to the Pandava's home after they had finished their meal. He was sure that when no food was offered, Sage Durvasa would be enraged and curse the Pandavas. 


When the rishis visited the Pandavas' home, sure enough Draupadi had already turned over the thalis and had no more food in the house to serve them. Not wanting to show disrespect to the Rishis, she requested them to return after bathing in the nearby river. Draupadi then prayed to Lord Krishna to help her. Lord Krishna told her to offer him a thali with a few Tulsi leaves. Draupadi did so, and Lord Krishna ate them, gave a loud burp and said her offerings of Tulsi leaves had satisfied his appetite. At that moment, the rishis returned. Draupadi was prepared to face their wrath as she did not have any food to serve them. Instead, she was surprised when the Rishis smiled and thanked her for the sumptuous food that she had sent for them at the river bank itself, burping to express their enjoyment of their meal. It was thus that Draupadi realized that it was Lord Krishna who had arranged for the food for the rishis! From this story rose the term “Draupadichi thali” (thali of Draupadi). It is also thus that the offering of tulsi leaves is considered a must for every naivedya ( food offerings made to God before the meal is eaten by family members) made to Lord Krishna.

Click here to know the Tulsi Aarti Lyrics in Marathi

Tulsi Aarti Lyrics Words in Marathi

तुलशीची  आरती 

  

तुलसी

  

जय  देवी  जय देवी  जय  माये  तुलशी ||

निज्पत्रहुनी  लघुतर  त्रिभुवन  हैं  तुलशी  || ध्रु ||

ब्रह्मा  केवल  मुलीं  मध्ये  तो  शौरी  |

अंग्रीन शंकर  तीत्हें  शाखापरिवारीं |

सेवा  करिती  भावे  सकलहि  नरनारी  |

दर्शन  मात्रे  पापेन  हरती  निर्धारीं  || १  || जय  देवी  ||

शीतल  छाया  भूतल  व्यापक  तूं  कैसी  |

मंजरीची  आवड  कम्लार्मन्नासी  |

तव  दविर्हित  विष्णु  रहे  उपवासी  |

विशेष  महिमा  तुझा  शुब  करिक्मासीन  || २  || जय देवी  ||

अच्युत  माधव  केशव  पीताम्बरधारी  |

तुझे  पुजन्कालीन  जो  हे  उच्चारी  |

त्यासी  देसी  संतति  संपत्ति  सुखकारी  |

गोसावीसुत  विनवी  मजला  तूं  तारी  || ३  || जय  देवी  ||

Click here to know How to do a Tulsi Vivah Ceremony at Home

Click here to know the mythological stories of Tulsi Vivah

How to perform a simple Tulsi Vivah Puja Aarti Ceremony at Home

The Tulsi plant is one of the sacred plants of the followers of the Hindu faith, as this plant is considered to be one of the manifestations of Goddess Mahalaxmi. The Tulsi plant is grown in a large earthen pot and in many towns and villages in India you will see the Tulsi plant growing in the front courtyard of the house, in a structure made from bricks known as Vrindavan (the name Vrinda was Goddess Mahalaxmi’s name at birth).

Vrindavan in which Tulis plant is grown

Tulsi Vivah is the marriage (vivah) ceremony of the Tulsi plant to Shaligram (a black stone manifestation of Lord Vishnu). The Tulsi Vivah Ceremony is performed on the second day of Karthik Ekadashi in the evening.

Click here to know the story of the Tulsi Vivah Ceremony

Date of TulsiVivah Ceremony in 2010: November 17^th, 2010

Preparations Requirements for Tulsi Vivah Ceremony at Home

1. Any food eaten on this day should be pure vegetarian only. It is important to prepare a poha (puffed rice) dish.

2. Buy a day in advance sugarcane sticks and pieces of tamarind and amla.

3. The Tulsi Vivah ceremony is either performed by an official priest or by the ladies in the family. Women of all age groups perform the Tulsi Vivah ceremony, although it is said that generally widows do not perform the Tulsi Vivah ceremony.

4. On the morning of the Tulsi Vivah ceremony, after bath, the tulsi plant should be watered and the lunch should be cooked. Generally, in many families lunch on this day consists of rice-dal, puris, a kheer made from sweet potato and red pumpkin vegetable (bhopla). A little part of each of the cooked food is kept in a thali in front of the Tulsi plant as an offering before the family members eat the meal. The actual ceremony is performed in the evening only.

Tulsi Vivah Vidhis Puja Aarti

Step 1: Clean the area around the Tulsi plant. Sprinkle a little water on the tulsi plant and clean the idol of image or picture of Lord Vishnu (or Lord Krishna).  The idol can be a substitute for the shaligram, which is generally brought by the priest who can be called to perform the Tulsi Vivah ceremony. You can do a small rangoli design in front of the tulsi plant pot.

Step 2: Prepare a thali having a diya and red flowers (hibiscus flowers can be used); and another thali containing a saree, a blouse piece, a packet of mahendi, a kohl stick or box, a box of sindoor (red vermillion powder) and a few green bangles.Also keep a thali of fruits, tamarind and amla pieces. The reason for this: The tulsi is considered to be a plant of the forest (van), so anything which grows on the trees is offered as part of the Tulsi Vivah ceremony. 

Step 3: Take 4 sugarcane sticks and place it at 4 corners around the tulis plant pot, connecting them with strong threads. This is the traditional way, done in the courtyards of villages. Alternatively, you can gently insert the  sugarcane sticks in the soil around the tulsi plant.

Step 4: Place a small bright cloth (this is generally red in colour and resembles a scarf or odhni) on the tulsi plant. Apply a bit of the sindoor on a leaf of the Tulsi plant. Throw the red flowers on the tulsi plant. Offer the fruits, tamarind and amla pieces. Say the Tulsi Aaarti. 

Click here to know the words of the Tulsi Aarti

Place the thali for the wedding (saree, blouse, bangles, etc) in front of the tulsi plant pot. Light the diya in the thali and perform the aarti of the tulsi plant. Apply a tika of sandalwood paste on the forehead of the idol/image/shaligram of Lord Vishnu (in some homes, a thali of men's clothing is also offered with a sacred thread). Offer a little of the pre-pared poha dish (you can put it in the same thali as the fruits).

Step 5: Once the aarti is completed, a little of the poha is offered to family members and guests. The fruits can also be eaten later. In many homes, the lady who performed the Tulsi Vivah ceremony also eats a leaf of the tulsi plant, symbolically implying that the Goddess has entered her body.

Step 6: The thali containing the wedding items is generally offered to a Brahmini (female ascetic).

Vithoba Vittal Aartis in Marathi

विठोभा येही हो आरती 

येही  हो  विठले माझे  मौलीये |

निद्लावारी   कर   ठेवुनी  वाट  मी  पाहे  || ध्रु ||

आलिया  गेलिया  हातीं  धादिं  निरोप |

पंढरपुर  आहे  माझा  माईबाप || येही  हो *||

पिवला पीताम्बर  ऐसा  गगनी  झलाकला |

गरुदावारी  बैसुनी  माझा  कैवारी  आला || २  || येही  हो ||

विथोबांचे राज्य  आम्हां  जित्या दीपावली |

विष्णुदास  नामा  जीवें  भावें  ओवाली  || ३ || येही  हो ||

असो नसो भाव आम्हां  तुजिया ठायां |

कृपाद्रुष्टी पाहे माज्या  पंडरीराया ||4||

येही  हो विठले ||

Vithal Rakhumaichi Aarti

Road Routes Map Pandharpur Solapur District

Map of Road Routes toVithoba Temple Pandharpur

Click here for complete information on Vithoba Temple Pandharpur

Solapur District Map showing Road and Rail Routes

Live Online Telecast Vithoba Temple Pandharpur Puja Aartis

The following video has been taken from You Tube. It shows the Vithoba Temple Aartis Puja Live from Pandharpur, Maharashtra.

Vithoba Temple Pandharpur Aarti Puja Timings and How To Reach

Pandharpur is considered to be the spriritual capital of Maharashtra due to its atmosphere of reverence created by the presence of the Vithoba Temple. The holy town of Pandharpur is located along the Chandrabhaga river in Solapur District. It is also known as the Kuldaivat of Maharashtra and as the Southern Kashi of India.

As per historical records, the Pandharpur temple complex has been renovated a number of times. As per these records, one of the royal rulers of the Shaliwahana Dynastry renovated Pandharpur in 83 A.D. The tradition of the paduka procession (pilgrims walking barefoot) with palanquins of the idols is said to have begun in 1296 A.D.

Lord Vithoba Legends

Vithoba is considered to be a manifestation of Lord Vishnu by the Vishnuvites; a manifestation of Surya by devotees who worship the Sun; a manifestation of Avalokiteshwara by Buddhist devotees; and a manifestation of Neminath by the Jain community followers. The word Vitthala is said to be derived from the Marathi word vittu, meaning brick. As the legend goes, a devotee by the name of Pundalik was engaged in serving his parents when Lord Vishnu visited his home. Pundalik was annoyed at being disturbed, and is said to have picked up a brick and thrown it outside for Lord Vishnu to stand on and wait. Rather than getting angry, Lord Vishnu was happy to see Pundalik’s caring and devotion towards his parents. Hence, Lord Vishnu granted Pundalik a boon, on which Pundalik requested the Lord for his eternal presence. It was thus that Lord Vishnu took up permanent residence at Pandharpur. Even today, the idol of Lord Vithoba is always shown as standing on a brick.

Vithoba Temple Pandharpur Maharashtra

The Shri Vitthal Mandir, known simply as Vithoba Temple, is located on a small hill and enclosed by high stone walls. The temple’s architecture comprises of low domes and high pinnacles. The temple has 8 gates: 1 on the south side; 1 on the west side; 3 on the north side; and 3 on the east side. The Mahadwar (main gate) of the temple is on the eastern side. It is here that the Namdeo chi Payari (step named after Namdeo) is located. One the way up, you will see a small idol of Lord Ganesha in one of the niches of the side wall. The first step of the flight of 11 steps is called Namdeo chi Payari in reference to a devotee named Namdeo. As the story goes, the child Namdeo once made holy offerings to God and pleaded with God to come in person to accept the offerings. When, after even a long time, God did not make an appearance, Namdeo kept banging his head at God’s feet. God subsequently appeared and ate the offerings, blessing Namdeo and granting him a boon. Namdeo requested that he should always be present in the very first step of the temple, so that when devotees came to seek God’s darshan, Namdeo, in the first step, would also be blessed with the touch of the devotees’ feet.

The temple complex houses the Mandap where the shrines of Garuda and Hanuman are located. Here there are also 2 tall Deepmalas, each rising to about 10meters. One of the interesting features is the Sola-Khambi, which rests on 16 stone pillars, one of which is called the Garud Khamb – this is covered with silver sheets and has a gold base. Access to the Sola-Khambi is from the Sabhamandapa. On the northern side are individual rooms, each dedicated to various idols and mythological legendary personalities, such as Dattatreya, Ram-Laxman, Kalbhairav, etc.[reference: Temples of Maharashtra by Gopal Krishna Kanhere]

You must also take note of the lovely entrance leading to the Chou-Khambi (four pillared structure) and the silver arch which leads to the main Vitthal shrine. From the chowkhambhi hall one is let into the shrine or Gabhara, a small room having a platform of 3 ft. height with a silver canopy above. On this platform stands the idol of Shri Vithoba which attracts millions of devotees every year. The idol is called by different names: Vithoba, Pandurang, Pandhari, Vithal, or Vithalnath.

Other temples within the Pandharpur temple complex include the temple of Rukmini (consort of Vithoba) which is behind the Vithoba temple in the north east corner of the temple, facing east. It has a Gabhara, entry / exit, outer hall and a sabha mandap.

You can also visit the Samadhi Shikara of Pundalik, said to be the most faithful devotee of Lord Vitthal.

Vithoba Temple Complex Tourist Attractions

- Namdev Payari

- Ganesh Mandir

- Datta Mandir

- Garud Mandir

- Maruti Mandir

- Chowrangee Devi Mandir

- Garud Khamb

- Narsimha Mandir

- Ek-mukh Dattatraya Mandir

- Rameshwar Lingam Mandir

- Kala Bahirav Mandir

- Laxmi-Narayan Mandir

- Kashi-Vishwanath Mandir

- Satya-Bhama Mandir

- Radhika Mandir

- Siddhi-Vinayak Mandir

- Mahalakshmi Mandir

- Venkateshwar Mandir

- Kanhopatra Mandir

- Ambabai Mandir

- Shani-Dev Mandir

- Nagnath Mandir

- Guptaling Mandir

- Khandoba Mandir

Vithoba Temple Aarti Puja Timings

1.  Vithoba Temple Door Opening Time: 4.00 a.m.

2.  Vithoba Temple Kakada Aarti: 4.30a.m.  to 05.00 a.m.

3.  Vithoba Temple Nitya Puja (regular Puja): 5.00 a.m to 06.00.a.m.

4.  Vithoba Temple Mahapuja by devotees: 7.00 a.m. to 08.00.a.m.

5.  Vithoba Temple Maha Naivedya: 11.00 a.m. to 11.15 a.m.

6.  Vithoba Temple Pshakh (dressing): 4.30p.m. to 05.00 p.m.

7.  Vithoba Temple Dhoop Aarati:7.00p.m. to 07.30 p.m.

8.  Vithoba Temple Padya pooja: 10.00p.m. to 10.30 p.m.

9.  Vithoba Temple Shejarati: 11.00 p.m.

Learn Lyrics of Vithoba Aaartis in Marathi

How to Reach Pandharpur

* How to Reach Vithoba Temple Pandharpur By Air: the nearest airport is Pune (204kms). Taxi cabs are available from Pune to Pandharpur (approx. fare is Rs 2500/-).

* How to Reach Vithoba Temple Pandharpur By Train: The Pandharpur Railway Station falls on the Miraj-Kurduwadi-Latur railway track.

Trains arrivals timings at Pandharpur Railway Station

Trains departure timings from Pandharpur Railway Station

* How to Reach Vithoba Temple Pandharpur By Bus: You can board State Transport public buses from Pune and Solapur.

* How to Reach Vithoba Temple Pandharpur By Taxi: Taxis are available on hire from Solapur to Pandharpur. Taxi fare is approx. Rs 1,000/-.

* How to Reach Vithoba Temple Pandharpur By Car: Best road route is the Pune-Pandharpur Road Route:
Pune - Hadpsar - Indapur - here, take a right turn to Akluj - Pandharpur

Detailed Map of National Highway Road Routes to Vithoba Temple Pandharpur

Where to stay in Pandharpur

Accommodations in Pandharpur are not heavy on your wallet, but you will have to hunt around for clean accommodations. You can stay at the MTDC lodgings (minimum 2 people are allowed; a single individual is unlikely to get a room). MTDC Pandharpur Phone Number: 02186-224527, 223312. Alternatively, you can stay at one of the many maths in the town, such as Gajanan Math, Pandharpur (tariff is only Rs.150/-) as recommended in a review (see link at end of this blog post). Ideally, you should stay in comfortable lodgings at Pune and hire a private vehicle or taxi to take you to Pandharpur.

Pandharpur General Tourist Information and Tourist Tips

* Pincode: 413304

* STD code: 021862

* Mobile phones, cameras and handbags (not even a lady's handbag) are not allowed inside the temple. You will have to leave all these possessions at the counter.

* The priests will charge you a large amount (Rs.2000/- +) if you wish to avoid the queue and take a quick darshan!! In fact, most of the priests are simply out to make money. You literally have to bribe them to get darshan and they also insist on taking money for a giving you coconuts and prasad. It is also very difficult to get any Special VIP darshan pass without giving a bribe.

* Avoid so-called helpful people who will tell you where to get darshan passes, where to park, which places to visit in town, etc. They are just touts out to make money.

* If you wish to avoid the serpentine queues, you can have a Mukh Darshan where you can have the darshan of Lord Vithoba from a distance of 20 feet. 

* The public toilet near the temple is said to by unhygienic. Avoid.

If are visiting Vithoba Temple Pandharpur, please do leave your comments and Pandharpur travellers tips below. It would greatly help others. Thanks!