Tulsi Vivah Complete Story

   Tulsi Vivah

Tulsi Vivah is the ceremonial marriage of the Tulsi plant (holy basil) to the Hindu god Vishnu or his Avatar Krishna. This ceremony can be performed any time between Prabodhini Ekadashi - the eleventh lunar day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month Kartik to the full moon of the month (Kartik Poornima) but usually it is performed on the eleventh or the twelfth lunar day. The day varies from region to region.The Tulsi wedding signifies the end of the monsoon and the beginning of the Hindu wedding season.

Legend 

Tulsi is venerated as a goddess in Hinduism and sometimes considered a wife of god Vishnu. She is often called as Vishnupriya, the beloved of Vishnu. The legend behind Tulsi Vivah and its rites are told in the scripture Padma Purana.
According to Hindu scripture, the Tulsi plant was a woman named Vrinda (Brinda), a synonym of Tulsi. She was married to the demon-king Jalandhar. Due to her piety and devotion to Vishnu, her husband became invincible. Even god Shiva, the destroyer in the Hindu Trinity could not defeat Jalandhar. So Shiva requested Vishnu - the preserver in the Trinity - to find a solution. Vishnu disguised himself as Jalandhar and violated Vrinda. Her chastity destroyed, Jalandhar was killed by Shiva. Vrinda cursed Vishnu to become black in colour and he would be separated from his wife. Thus, he was transformed into the black Shaligram stone and in hisRama avatar, his wife Sita was kidnapped by a demon-king and thus separated from him. Vrinda then burnt herself on her husband's funeral pyre or immolated herself due to the shame. The gods or Vishnu transferred her soul to a plant, henceforth which was called as Tulsi. As per a blessing by Vishnu to marry Vrinda in her next birth, Vishnu in form of Shaligram - married Tulsi on Prabodhini Ekadashi. To commemorate this event, the ceremony of Tulsi Vivah is performed.

Another minor legend narrates that Lakshmi - the chief consort of Vishnu - slew a demon on this day and remained on earth as the Tulsi plant.

Ritual 

The marriage of Tulsi with Vishnu/Krishna resembles the traditional Hindu wedding. This ceremony is conducted at homes and also at temples. A fast is observed on the Tulsi Vivah day till evening when the ceremony begins. A mandap (marriage booth) is built around the courtyard of the house where the Tulsi plant is planted. The Tulsi plant is usually planted in centre of the courtyard in a brick plaster called Tulsi vrindavana. It is believed that the soul of Vrinda resides in the plant at night and leaves in the morning. The bride Tulsi is clothed with a sari and ornaments including earrings and necklaces. A human paper face with a bindi and nose-ring - may be attached to Tulsi. The groom is a brass image or picture of Vishnu or Krishna or sometimes Balarama or more frequently the Shaligram stone - the symbol of Vishnu. The image is clothed in a dhoti. Both Vishnu and Tulsi are bathed and decorated with flowers and garlands before the wedding. The couple is linked with a cotton thread (mala) in the ceremony.
In Maharashtra, an important ritual in the ceremony is when the white cloth is held between the bride and the groom and the priest recites the Mangal Ashtaka mantras. These mantras formally complete the wedding. Rice mixed with vermilion is showered by the attendees on Tulsi and Vishnu at the end of the recitation of the mantras with the word "Savadhan" (literally "be careful" implying "You are united now". The white curtain is also removed. The attendees clap signifying approval to the wedding. Vishnu is offered sandalwood-paste, men's clothing and the sacred thread. The bride is offered saris, turmeric, vermilion and a wedding necklace called Mangal-sutra, worn by married women. Sweets and food cooked for an actual wedding are cooked for Tulsi Vivah too. This ceremony is mostly performed by women.The prasad of sugar-cane, coconut chips, fruits and groundnut is distributed to devotees.
The expenses of the wedding are usually borne by a daughter-less couple, who act as the parents of Tulsi in the ritual wedding. The giving away of the daughter Tulsi (kanyadaan) to Krishna is considered meritorious to the couple. The bridal offerings to Tulsi are given to a Brahmin priest or female ascetics after the ceremony.

In two Rama temples in Saurashtra, the ceremony is more elaborate. An invitation card is sent to the groom's temple by the bride's temple. On Prabodhini Ekadashi, a barat bridal procession of Lalji - an image of Vishnu - sets off to the bride's temple. Lalji is placed in a palanquin and accompanied by singing and dancing devotees. The barat is welcomed on the outskirts of Tulsi's village and the ceremonial marriage is carried at the temple. At the bride's side, Tulsi is planted in an earthen pot for the ceremony. People desirous of children perform Kanyadaan from Tulsi's side acting as her parents. Bhajans are sung throughout the night and in the morning the barat of Lalji returns to their village with Tulsi.

SHRI KALKAJI MANDIR (TEMPLE)

Kalkaji Mandir,कालकाजी मंदिर, दिल्ली भारत, also known as Kalkaji Temple, is a famous Hindu mandir or temple, dedicated to Hindu Goddess Kali. This temple is situated on Kalkaji Mandir (Delhi Metro) in the southern part of Delhi, India, in Kalkaji, a locality that has derived its name from this famous temple and is located opposite Nehru Place business centre. The temple is easily accessible by all forms of public transport on Kalkaji Mandir (Delhi Metro) and is near Bus Terminus-Nehru Place and Railway Station-OkhlaThe general belief is that the image of the Goddess Kalka here is a self-manifested one, and that the shrine dates back to Satya Yuga when the Goddess Kalika had incarnated and killed the demon Raktabija along with other giant demons.


General information

Kalka or Kalkaji Mandir is amongst the oldest and the most reverend ancient temples of India. The temple is dedicated to goddess Kalka or Kali, an incarnation of Durga. It is also called 'Jayanti Peetha' or 'Manokamna Siddha Peetha'. 'Manokamna' literally means desire, 'Siddha' means fulfillment, and 'Peetha' means shrine. So, it is believed to be the holy shrine where one gets the blessings of Maa Kalika Devi (Goddess or Mother Kalika) for the fulfillment of one's desires.

The temple complex is situated on Kalkaji Mandir (Delhi Metro), कालकाजी मंदिर मेट्रो स्टेशन in between the Nehru Place bus terminus & business center and Okhla railway station & industrial area, and is right beside the famous Bahá'í Lotus Temple. Close by to the temple, on a hill in the East of Kailash neighbourhood and near the ISKCON temple, lies an Edict of Ashoka, dating 3rd century BC.

Devotees attend the Kalkaji temple throughout the year, but the culmination point of their prayers and celebration comes during the festival of Navratri twice a year. This is a nine-day Hindu festival, in Spring and Autumn during which a large fair is organized here. Devotees gather and sing various hymns and songs praising Goddess Durga.

History

While the Hindu scriptures have multiple references and legends regarding the birth and acts of the Goddess Kali, the legend which tells about the circumstances attending to the birth of Maa Kalika Devi at the Kalkaji Mandir is as below:

        Millions of years ago, the gods who dwelt in the neighbourhood of the present temple were troubled by two giants and were compelled to prefer their complaint to Lord Brahma, 'the god of all'. But Lord Brahma declined to interfere, and referred them to the Goddess Parvati. Out of the mouth of Maa Parvati sprung Kaushki Devi, who attacked the two giants and slaughtered them, but it so happened, that as their blood fell on the dry earth thousands of giants came into life, and the battle was maintained by Kaushki Devi against great odds. Maa Parvati took compassion on her offspring and out of the eyebrows of Kaushki Devi came maa Kali Devi, 'whose lower lip rested on the hills below and the upper lip touched the sky above. She drank the blood of the slaughtered giants as it poured out of their wounds; and the goddess obtained a complete victory over their enemies. Maa Kali Devi then fixed her abode here, and she was worshipped as the chief divinity of the place.

It is believed that the Goddess Kalkaji, pleased with the prayers offered and rituals performed by the Gods on the advice of Lord Brahma, appeared on this mount, known as Surya Koota Parvata, and blessed them. Ever since, the Goddess took this holy place as her abode and has been fulfilling the wishes of her devotees. During the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna and the Pandavas are said to have worshipped this Goddess during the reign of Yudhisthir.

References in History

According to the Government records, the temple of Kalkaji is said to have a very ancient origin, but the oldest portions of the present building is believed to have been constructed not earlier than the 1764 AD by the Maratha rulers.[4] In 1816 A.D. Mirza Raja Kidar Nath, the Peshkar of Akbar II, is said to have made some additions to it. Over the last five to six decades, a considerable number of dharamshalas have been erected in the vicinity by the Hindu bankers and merchants of Delhi place. It is said that Baba Balak Nath of Nath Sampradaya, i.e. the Kanpata Yogis (who have rings pierced in the ears) visited this holy place hundreds of years ago. He is believed to have had the darshan of Goddess Kalika who asked him to stay here and get the temple reconstructed, which by then was completely ruined due to neglect. From that time onwards the yogis of Nath Sampradaya have been serving the Goddess and are enthroned as Mahant. Baba Sandhya Nath, Baba Sahaja Nath, Mahant Prithvi Nath, Mahant Rama Nath are remembered with great respect. They were renowned yogis of their time empowered with special spiritual powers and visions.

Modern Structure

The temple complex, as it stands today, is constructed of brick masonry, finished with plaster (now with marbles) and is surrounded by a pyramidal tower. The Central Chamber which is 12-sided in plan diam. (24' I.M.) with a doorway in each side is paved with marble and is surrounded by a verandah 8'9" wide and containing 36 arched openings (shown as the exterior doorways in the Parikrama). This verandah encloses the Central Chamber from all sides. About the middle of this arcade opposite the eastern doorway there are two red sandstone tigers sitting on a marble pedestal on which the inscription engraved on the marble railings is repeated. The language of the inscriptions is Urdu and the characters on the railings as well as on the pedestals are nastaliq without any pretensions to antiq mvbm,cuity. Between the tigers there is stone image of Kali Devi with her name engraved on it in Hindi, and a trident of stone standing before it.

Ritual
The major ritual consists of offering and bathing the idol (Mata Snanam) with milk followed by an Aarti every morning (6 AM) and evening (7:30 PM). This, in turn, is followed by hymn recitation. Offerings can be purchased just before the entrance of the temple. Visitors should be alert in the area as the place is very crowded and there can be Pickpockets. The Puja archana and other rituals are performed turn by turn (Monthly Basis) by Pujaris consisting of more than 1000 families who are the descendants of 4 main clans (Thulas) of Brahmin pujaris and one clan of Jogis/Mahants.

The atmosphere around the temple is airy and bright with lights which stay during the whole night. Devotees also try to meditate there and a tantric aarti is held in the evening.


For More Information About Mandir visit official Website

Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra

Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra is considered to be one of the holiest pilgrimages in the world.  Shri

Ma Vaishno Devi Ji resides in a Holy Cave located in the folds of the three peaked mountain named Trikuta  ??????? . Around  5 Millions of devotees come for Darshan of Ma Vaishno Devi every year from all parts of India and abroad only because of the unflinching faith. 

With the kind blessings of Ma Vaishno Devi, this site  endeavours to provide you information relating to Yatra andthe various precautions pilgrims have to take

so as to avoid problems during the journey.  

If you are visiting 1st time, after Darshan of Ma Vaishno Devi, do visit and have darshan  of  Bhairon Temple which is situated  at a distance of 2.5 kms from the holy cave. It is said that Vaishno Devi Yatra is not complete without darshan at Bhairo Temple.

Situated in the high hills at about 5200 feet called  Tirkuta Hills and at a distance of about 14 kilometers from Katra, Vaishno Devi Temple is one of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to Shakti. The temple is also known as Mata Rani and Vaishnavi. Vaishno Devi is a manifestation of the Mother Goddess. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board maintains the Shrine and takes care of various facilities during Yatra. 

How to Reach and Preparations for Yatra :  First of all you have to make a  programme for your Journey.  Please note May to September months  are very

pleasant months, when even the cotton garments are sufficient.
1. Obtain a  Yatra Parchi : Visit the  Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board site and get a Yatra Parchi by booking online.  A sum of Rs. 50/- only is payable online-( through internet). Please do  get a print of it. It should be done to make the travel comfortable. If you could not get it online, you may procure the same at Katra. Please note one Yatra Slip is issued for a maximum of 9 family members. For more members, more than one Yatra slip can be taken. In case of yatries in large groups, a separate yatra Slip should be taken for each family.  In case you could not obtain Yatra Parchi at your home place, offline yatra parchi is also available at Yatra Registration Counter near bus stand Katra and Saraswati Dham Jammu. It is free of cost.
 

Online bookings :  Note: Please carry your credit card/debit card with which you online booking is done.

  
2. Book a room/bed online:  You must also book a room or bed  to make stay arrangement . (This will be helpful to take rest  after or before Darshan/ Yatra and keep your belongings at Main Bhavan). Rooms/Beds are available in Main Bhavan/nearby places. It is allotted as as per availability and  charges are Rs.80/- for dormitory and more for rooms). Booking is done in  30 days advance, kindly visit the Shrine Board site to find the way of booking as it reserved well in time. Once booking is done, it should not postponed or cancelled.

3. Book helicopter online also  if you desire for journey from Katra to Sanjhi Chhat (Sanjhi Chat is  just 2 Kms. away {hilly root}  from the main temple) and back.

Important:  Please book in advance, rooms for your stay(or rest) and helicopter from Katra to Sanjhichhat to Katra. Please visit the site of Shrine Board and see the trend of booking.  Bookings are at present done around 20 to 30 days in advance. Please check the Shrine Board site and make programme accordingly. 

4. Get a Post-paid Mobile Phone connection : Please note that pre-paid Cellphone Mobiles do not work here, hence take only Post-paid mobile. 

5. How to reach : There are several trains,air routes and road links to reach Jammu. After reaching Jammu, you can take a taxi or a bus (a prepaid taxi at Jammu Airport or Railway Station - is recommended for comforts and safety) for Katra. The distance from Jammu to Katra is about 50 Kilometers. Katra is Base Camp  - Katra is located at an altitude of about 2500 feet above sea level. In fact  Katra is the base camp for the Yatra to the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi .  After reaching Katra, you have option to take rest in a hotel/Inn  at Katra or immediately proceed for Yatra. You may like to opt for Hotel Krishna (Phone: 01991-232755, 232776) or any other suitable hotel/Inn in the main Katra Bus/taxi stand.  Please  carry minimum luggage with you, say a Towel, undergarments, woolen clothe, (in winter only). Now some trains will reach directly to Katra instead of Jammu.In Katra, you can also book Hotel/Guest House provided by Indian Railways. Find
Even if you carry more luggage, you will have to deposit it in the Lockers provided at different places

in main Bhawan when you reach there.  A number of facilities are provided during the Yatra by the Board like blankets free of charge.
Many more facilities are available on hire. Packed and cooked food including meals, hot and cold beverages and other important items including medicare and oxygen cylinders, cassettes are available in the yatra route.  You can view below images and pictures of Katra as well as other images

Do not forget to get Yatra Parchi
- If you have not taken Yatra Parchi through internet (at your own city), please do get the same at Yatra parchi counter in Katra  free of charge. Generally it takes little time to get the same. Yatra Parchi Counter is in Katra (Bus stand). Please note you will have to return from Ban Ganga if you do not take and carry Yatra Parchi.

Katra	Katra

How to begin Yatra from Katra to Main Bhawan ( Ma Vaishno Devi) :

1. Through Helicopter : . If you have booked a helicopter service in your city  through internet or through air-ticket providers, you may now take a  Auto Rickshaw/taxi to reach Helipad in Katra, where-from you can proceed for your Yatra upto Sanjhee Chhat. It takes nore more than 10 minutes to reach there. (On-foot, it takes more than 4 to 5 hrs). After reaching Sanjhee Chhat you have the option to complete 2 Kms. journey upto main bhawan either by foot or hiring horse servces. It is always advisable to hire horse services for comfort and time saving.

2. Through Horses : Please note that you have to cover a distance of about 15 Kms. on high hills. If you prefer to reach by foot, it will take aroud 4-5 hours ( or more if you take rests in Yatra) to reah. If you hire horse for the journey, you can cover this distance in not more than 2 hours. Horses are available at very nominal rate of Rs.320/- per horse. These rates are fixed by the Board.  Hiring of horse will save your time and energy. 

3. On-foot Journey  :  You can opt for your Yatra on foot also. Although it is somewhat tiresome but it enables  you to view the scenic beauty of hills and darshan of holy places coming in the way like Ban ganga Charan Paduka, HimKoti, Ardha Kumari,etc.[ Banganga is situated on the bank of a small rivulet called Banganga and at a height of 2700 ft. ]. This holy place  is the first major station of yatra when the Yatri undertakes his on-foot journey from Katra to Bhawan. If you are doing Yatra on foot, it is a good news. A new route developed by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board   is 0.5 KM lesser than other route. Many pilgrims now prefer to take this  route via Himkoti instead of going through Ardkuwari as it is short and very beautiful
4.Through Pali :  This is recommended for very old and sick devotees.

A view of Katra from Hills	A view of Katra from Hills

 

How to make your Yatra comfortable and easy 1. Yatra Parchi(Slip) is to be shown at Ban Ganga check-post and Parchi counter at Bhawan (Must)
2. Check the rates and avoid being overcharged py Pitthus, Ponywalas and Palkiwalas,
3. Yatris suffering from blood pressure, breathlessness and heart disease etc. are advised to avoid using steps for climbing up during yatra.
4. Please beware of Pickpockets and touts.
5. For any assistance contact Board authorities at Katra, Ban Ganga, Ardhkumar, Sanjhee Chhat and at Bhawan or control room  at Katra.
6. Do not feed Monkeys to avoid menace

7. On reaching Bhawan, please obtain Group Number (waiting number)  . A  Group Number is provided in a counter just at the beginning of Main Bhawan at right hand side. Yatries are allowed for darshan only in queue  and according to group number. The group numbers flashes on the TV  Screens displayed at various places of the Bhavan.
8. Remember to take woolen clothes in winter, particularly in December when there is snow fall.
9. Put on Canvas shoes if you prefer On-foot yatra.
10. You will have to deposit your shoes/chappals belt, purse, and pen  before you begin yatra.

Yatra Scenes	Yatra Scenes

Know the Yatra Route ::   Katra -  Ban Ganga- Charan Paduka  -  Ardhya Kumari -Garbh Gupha - Hathi Mathha - Sanjhee Chhat -Mata Vaishno Devi Temple Bhawan   - Bhairo Madir - return yatra  to Katra
Care and Precautions  : On reaching Main Bhawan you may take rest and have a bath.  Please carefully note the following :

• The Aarti -The 'Aarti' of the Goddess is performed twice a day first time in the morning just before the sunrise and second time in the evening immediately after the sunset Please note that after Aarti there is a lot of rush of devotees. This whole procedure of Aarti  takes nearly two hours during which time the darshans remain suspended. Hence you must reach before Aarti or on after around 2 hours m to avoid rush.
• 
  
• Get your Group Number - Before beginning to join queue for Darshan, get your Group Number from Counter just before main Bhawan.
• 
  
• Keep these in Lockers : - It is free -Now  keep your belongings and Camera, mobile, pen, leather purse, leather belt, shoes, chappals, etc. Please note these items are never allowed. You have either to keep in the room of your stay or deposit all such items in the Safe Custody Lockers, which are provided free of cost. These lockers are almost in the beginning of Main Bhawan. Keep carefully the  token provided for the locker. If you forget and carry these items with you, you will not be allowed to be in queue  for Darshan in any condition. Take a lock and key with you if you prefer dormitory to stay for keeping your personal items in lockers. 
 
• Carry Prasad with you  - Please carry Prasad with you  from the Board's shop situated just before main Bhawan. After entering in line in Main Bhawan, you cannot buy prasad. However, even if you do not carry Prasad with you, you will be provided a Prasad after Darshan at the Prasad Chamber (of Board) after showing your Yatra Parchi. You may mix more Prasad afterwords to spread the holy prasad among your friends and relatives. Please note you will have to deposit the coconul of Prasad while in queue, which  will be returned to you after Darshan at the Reclaim Counter. 

Darshan of Ma Vaishno Devi : The Holy Bhawan houses the main holy cave which is the main destination of devotees. Situated in Trikuta Parvat (Hill) at around 5200 feet height from sea level, The Holy Bhawan, is the main centre of pooja and darshan  for the devotees. It is also the key location in the entire Yatra route. Hence, adequate arrangements and facilities have been created by the Shrine Board for the convenience of the devotees. These include free & rented accommodation; Toilet Blocks; Bhojanalayas; Post Office; Banks; Communication (STD/PCO); Announcement Centres; Blanket Stores; Cloak Rooms; Medical Dispensary (with a ICU); General Stores; Bhaint Shops; Police Station, etc.
Before entering the holy cave you may take bath at Charan Gange water which is at the end of bazaar and just before the Main Bhawan.
There are two caves one original which is little difficult and not open at all times. there are fixed days  of opening and Darshan through this cave. You cannot stand in this cave, water touches the feet and at some places it is quite narrow.  The other passage is artificial passage for Darshan. It is around 18 meters. Genrally Darshans are allowed from the new cave which is convenient.
After the end of cave you get the Darshan of Ma Vaishno Devi in the shape of 3 Pindies of Maha Laxmi, Maha Saraswati and Maha Kali. You can have Darshan of Ma Vashno Devi   in the  form of Pindies, inside the Holy Cave.  At the extreme left  is the Pindi of Goddess Saraswati with white shade. In the center is the Pindi of Goddess  Lakshmi, with a yellow-reddish tinge and to the right is the Pindi of Goddess Kali, with a color black shade.    
The Cave :  If you prefer to have Darshan through the old cave, it is somewhat difficult. The main door is quite narrow. Go ahead slowly. The holy cool water of Charanganga touches your feet. On the left side you can view a natural Shila Khand. The first 5 pindies are of Pandavas, thereafter seven pindies are of Sapt Rishies and just after it there is a natural Pillar which is called Tapt Stambh of Prahlad. Move ahead and you will see natural look of a lion and its Panja.  Before the new cave  door you can see a natural statue of Sheshnag on the roof of cave. Sheshnag akriti and a number of small snakes are amazing. Please find opening days of old cave from Helpline.
Visit Bhairo Temple

After Darshan you must visit Bhairo Temple which is at a distance of about 1.5 kms on hills. This route can also be covered by hiring horses. If you are visiting first time, it is said that Yatra is complete only when you visit Bhairo Temple. 

Return Yatra
In case you have booked Helicopter, you can directly  return from Bairo Mandir to Sanjhee Chhat, where you  will board the Helicopter at the proposed time of travel. You may also take horse or begin return yatra on foot. It is always recommended  to hire horses.  On return, you may like to visit some temples in Jammu city.

  Help lines and Phone Numbers you must know during your travel :
If you are going to visit Mata Vaishno Davi , please keep the following telephone numbers handy. These may not be required but may be helpful to overcome any inconvenience or problem during Yatra.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Katra,
Tel : +91-1991-232367, 232238, 232025, 234053
Fax : +91-1991-232089, 232769
Email : online@maavaishnodevi.org , admin@maavaishnodevi.org

POLICE HELP

Police Station, Katra : 01991-232010
Police Station, Bhawan : 01991-282224
Enquiry –Reservation :
Office of the Dy. Manager (Enquiry & Reservations),
Shakti Bhawan, Niharika Complex (Near Bus Stand), Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Katra - 182301
Phone : ++91-1991- 232887, 232025, 234053
Office of the Senior Manager, Bhawan Phone : ++91-01991- 282223
At Katra
Tourist Reception Centre, Katra : 01991-232005
Taxi Stand Telephone : 0191- 2476485
Charges/Rates :
Transport :
Bus Fare : Jammu Rly. Station to Katra : Rs.25 to 50/-
Taxi Fare : Jammu Airpot to Katra : Rs.710/- to 1100/- (Full Taxi)
Jammu Rly. Station to Katra: Rs.710/- to 1100/-
Poney : Rs.190 to 225/-
Palki :Rs. 1750 to 2630 (Bhairo visit included)
Pithoo : Rs. 125 to 250