Prabodhini Ekadashi (Dev Uthani) and Tulsi Vivah

About

Prabodhini Ekadashi falls on Kartika Shukla Ekadashi, the eleventh day of the bright half of Kartika. Prabodhini means "awakening" and Dev Uthani means "the god rises". On this day Vishnu is believed to wake from his sleep of four months, which began on Devshayani Ekadashi in the month of Ashadha.

The waking of Vishnu closes Chaturmas, the four-month period of restraint (see the page on Chaturmas). Weddings, house-warmings and other auspicious events, which many families avoid during Chaturmas, may begin again. It is also the day of Tulsi Vivah, the ritual wedding of the holy basil plant.

Significance and stories

In tradition, Vishnu rests on the cosmic serpent Shesha in the ocean of milk during the monsoon months. When he wakes, the universe is renewed and devotees welcome him with songs, lamps and prayers. The Puranas speak of the merit of keeping this Ekadashi.

Tulsi Vivah is based on the story of Vrinda, a devoted wife of the demon king Jalandhara. Her purity protected her husband, so no one could defeat him. After a long struggle, Vishnu took a form that deceived her and her husband was slain. Vrinda cursed Vishnu to become a stone, which is why Vishnu is worshipped as the Shaligram stone. She then gave up her life, and from her ashes grew the Tulsi plant. Vishnu blessed Tulsi, and promised to accept her as his wife in the form of Shaligram. Hence the yearly wedding of Tulsi and Shaligram, or Tulsi and Krishna, is performed. Tulsi is considered a goddess and the household's guardian.

How to observe (puja vidhi)

1. Rise early, bathe and clean the house. Many families draw rangoli of Vishnu's feet at the threshold.
2. Take the Ekadashi vow with a clear mind and pray to Vishnu.
3. Place a picture or murti of Vishnu, and offer a lamp, flowers, Tulsi leaves, fruit and sweets. Chant "Om Namo Narayanaya" (ॐ नमो नारायणाय) or the names of Vishnu. Ask a priest or elder to guide pronunciation.
4. In some homes, devotees wake Vishnu by tapping a plate or ringing a bell and singing a short verse to rouse the god.
5. Spend the day in prayer, reading from the Vishnu Sahasranama or the Bhagavata, or at a temple. Stay awake for the night or part of it if you are able.
6. In the evening, perform Tulsi Vivah (see below).
7. Break the fast next morning (Dwadashi) after sunrise, within the parana window shown on this site.

Tulsi Vivah, step by step

1. Place the Tulsi plant in its pot in the courtyard, balcony or near the home shrine. Clean the pot and paint it with red and white geru or draw rangoli around it.
2. Make a small mandap (wedding canopy) with sugarcane stalks around the plant. Decorate with flowers, mango leaves and lights.
3. Dress the Tulsi like a bride with a red cloth or sari, a bindi, bangles, a necklace and flowers.
4. Bring a Shaligram stone, a Vishnu or Krishna murti, or a picture, and treat it as the groom. A small boy or the host may carry it, as in a wedding procession.
5. Offer them water, flowers, kumkum, turmeric and sweets. Place a lamp between them.
6. Hold a thread or cloth between the two, recite the marriage verses or sing wedding songs (mangalashtak, for example) led by a priest or elder, and tie a thread or garland.
7. Perform the aarti, circle the Tulsi, and give prasad to all guests.

Tulsi Vivah may be performed on the Ekadashi night or on any day from Ekadashi to Kartik Purnima. Families choose according to their custom.

Puja items (samagri)

• A healthy Tulsi plant in a clean pot, or a Tulsi leaf
• Sugarcane stalks, mango leaves, flowers, garlands
• Red cloth or sari, bindi, bangles, a small mangalsutra or a thread
• Shaligram, Vishnu or Krishna murti or picture
• Lamp, incense, camphor, kumkum, turmeric, rice
• Fruit such as sugarcane pieces, water chestnut, sweet potato, amla, jujube and seasonal produce
• Sweets and puffed rice

Fasting and food

Many people keep an Ekadashi fast without grains and pulses, eating only fruit, milk, nuts, sabudana, potatoes or other permitted foods. Some keep a stricter fast without water for the day. Others eat one fruit meal. People with health conditions, pregnant or nursing women, children and the elderly should follow their doctor's advice and may keep a lighter fast. Break the fast on Dwadashi with a Tulsi leaf and a simple meal that includes rice. See the Ekadashi page for the general rules.

Regional customs

In Maharashtra, Pandharpur holds the great Kartiki Ekadashi gathering, when lakhs of Warkari pilgrims walk to the Vitthal temple. In Gujarat and Rajasthan, Dev Uthani is the day the wedding season begins. In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, women draw pictures of Vishnu and sing songs to wake him. In Odisha, the last five days of Kartika, called Panchuka, begin on this Ekadashi.

Celebrating in the USA

Tulsi is easily kept in a pot at home and is often sold at Indian stores and nurseries. In cold states, the plant stays indoors in winter, and a Tulsi Vivah on a windowsill or in a balcony corner is just as valid. Use electric lights or a safe diya instead of too many flames in an apartment, and keep a lamp away from sugarcane and cloth.

If you cannot find sugarcane, a decorated frame is enough. Many temples and Hindu community groups in the USA organise a group Tulsi Vivah on the nearest weekend, which is a good opportunity for children and families.