Radha Krishna Temple, Bhartiya Mandir to conduct Tulsi Vivah

Bhartiya Mandir and Radha Krishna Temple on Tuesday, November 20, will participate in the ceremonial festival of Tulsi Vivah at the Bhartiya Mandir in the presence of over 200 community members.

Tulsi Vivah is a ceremonial marriage of Tulsi (the holy basil plant) to the avatar of Lord Vishnu, Sri Krishna. The event is held as an actual wedding between two people or families with each side representing the families of the groom and the bride. Tulsi is venerated as a goddess in Hinduism and is sometimes considered as a wife of Vishnu, with the epithet, Vishnupriya “the beloved of Vishnu”. The legend behind Tulsi Vivah and its rites are told in the scripture, Padma Purana.

Devotees at Radha Krishna Temple in 2017 celebrating Tulsi Vivah

This year, Sri Radha Krishna Temple on New North Road will act as a bridegroom and Bhartiya Mandir as the bride’s side with an actual bridegroom procession starting from Radha Krishna Temple to Bhartiya Mandir.

The day is observed with pujas and other rituals from the afternoon –women apply henna and prepare themselves for the ceremony in the evening, and the ceremonial marriage will be conducted at the Bhartiya Mandir later in the evening.

Bhartiya Mandir on Balmoral Road, Auckland

“We have been observing this very important festival, and it is well attended by the devotees and community members. People come well dressed with their families, carry shagun items, gifts, sweets and sharing the festivity with another,” President of Auckland Indian Association looking after Sri Radha Krishna Temple told The Indian Weekender.

The rituals and prayers for the Vivah will be conducted by Acharya Upendrabhai Joshi and Pandit Govind Prasad Sharma from Bhartiya Mandir and Acharya Devrambhai from Sri Radha Krishna Temple.

Devotees at Shri Radha Krishna Temple

The celebrations and wedding ceremony rituals will start at 7:30 p.m. after receiving the bridegroom at Bhartiya Mandir and will continue till late in the evening.