Tulsi Vivah marks Dev Prabodhini Ekadashi

Ujjain : The eleventh day after the celebration of Diwali is marked as Dev Prabodhini Ekadashi which is symbolic of Lord Vishnu getting up after along sleep of four months.On Monday it was celebrated with enthusiasm and with it began all the auspicious ceremonies like marriages, however this year astrologers have difference over the issue, as many of them claim the setting Venus (Shukra) star is an obstacle in organizing of such ceremonies. In the evening 11 diyas were lighted at households to welcome the Lord back to the world after a 4 month longs sleep. Many devout Hindus gathered on the banks of the River Kshipra here on early morning, to take holy dip on the occasion of ‘Prabodhni Ekadashi’ to take early blessings of deity. Devotees prayed to the Tulsi plant and distributed sugarcane, gooseberry and made other religious offerings as part of the ritual.After the dip, devotees perform rituals in homage to Goddess Tulsi and Lord Vishnu. The first wedding of marriage season starting November 3, was celebrated at every Hindu household of the city in form of ‘Tulsi and Vishnu Vivah’. Several communities ‘Tulsi Vivah’ were also organized to mark the occasion at temples and community halls.The day also paved way to marriages besides warning of many astrologers. Hence, hundreds of couples tied nuptial knots on Monday. City astrologers say, Venus will rise on November 27 and hence the wedding season will start from November 27 and will on June 13, 2015. Those who had Shaligram offered special pujan to holy idol of the Lord Vishnu. As part of the rituals, married Hindu women observed fast and prayed before the pious ‘Tulsi’ which later was married to Lord Vishnu. The TulsiLagna (Tulsi wedding) is symbolic of Lord Krishna (an avatar of Lord Vishnu) marrying the basil plant whose leaves he loved to wear as a garland. Women observing fast since morning also prepared traditional delicacies at home during the day to offer to lord on his wedding. After sun set, women performed the rituals associated with wedding ceremony of the Lord. Fire crackers were also set up by the residents to mark the day.