Utthana Dwadashi, also known as Tulasi Vivaha, is a significant Hindu festival that marks the ceremonial wedding between the sacred Tulasi plant (Holy Basil) and Lord Vishnu. This event is celebrated on the Dwadashi (twelfth day) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) in the month of Kartika, which typically falls in October or November.

Cultural Importance

The festival symbolizes the end of the monsoon season and heralds the beginning of the Hindu wedding season. It is believed that Lord Vishnu awakens from his four-month-long sleep (Yoga Nidra) during this period, which is known as Chaturmasa. The name "Utthana" translates to "getting up," signifying this awakening.

Religious Beliefs

The Tulasi plant is revered in Hinduism for its medicinal properties and spiritual significance. It is believed that worshipping Tulasi brings immense benefits, including health, prosperity, and spiritual merit equivalent to performing an Ashvamedha sacrifice. The festival also emphasizes the importance of family and community, as homes are decorated, and gifts are exchanged among devotees