Tulsi’s Wedding

Saturday, October 31, 2009

The wedding of the sacred plant Tulsi – known as Tulsi lagna or Tulsi vivah – was celebrated in Hindu households throughout Goa on the evening of Oct 30. I meandered through the villages of Chorão and Tikhazana, sampling the primed Tulsi Vrindavans of varied designs and the associated festivities.

Traditional Tulsi fashioned from clay in Tikhazana, Goa<br>5D Mark II, 85L II

Traditional Tulsi fashioned from clay in Tikhazana, Goa
5D Mark II, 85L II

 
 
Tulsi in Tikhazana built on laterite base and plastered with cow dung<br>5D Mark II, 24-105L

Tulsi in Tikhazana built on laterite base and plastered with cow dung
5D Mark II, 24-105L

 
 
A contemporary Tulsi Vrindavan in Tikhazana<br>5D Mark II, 24-105L

A contemporary Tulsi Vrindavan in Tikhazana
5D Mark II, 24-105L

 
 
Chandrakala Mapari of Chorão in her Tulsi courtyard<br>5D Mark II, 85L II

Chandrakala Mapari of Chorão in her Tulsi courtyard
5D Mark II, 85L II

 
 
Chandrakala Mapari cooking rice in her traditional kitchen<br>5D Mark II, 24-105L

Chandrakala Mapari cooking rice in her traditional kitchen
5D Mark II, 24-105L

 
 
Tulsi Vrindavan in Chorão<br>5D Mark II, 85L II

Tulsi Vrindavan in Chorão
5D Mark II, 85L II

 
 
Offering prayers in Tikhazana<br>5D Mark II, 24-105L

Offering prayers in Tikhazana
5D Mark II, 24-105L

 
 
Pooja in progress in Chorão<br>5D Mark II, 24-105L

Pooja in progress in Chorão
5D Mark II, 24-105L

 
 
Deepavali lamp in Chorão<br>5D Mark II, 85L II

Deepavali lamp in Chorão
5D Mark II, 85L II

 

Category: Candid, Culture, Goa, Photography, Places, Religion, Street Tag: , , , , , , , , ,

by Rajan P. Parrikar

8 comments

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November 8, 2009 - 5:44 pm

S Naik - Dear Rajan:
Your pictures bring back lots of nostalgic memories.
Thank you.

November 8, 2009 - 8:59 am

Xanno Moidecar - Dear Rajan

The memories of my Hindu friends from Moira. Every one of their houses hosted one. A warm glow envelopes my heart.

Sincerely

Xanno Moidecar

November 8, 2009 - 5:35 am

Akshar - Wonderful Pics Sir.
Are this pictures available under Creative Commons license ?

October 31, 2009 - 1:15 pm

proveen almeida - Beautiful pictures Mr. Rajan, the faces of simple humble people adds more charm to the pics. It takes me back to the times when we used to celeberate Tulsi Lagn at my friends place.

October 31, 2009 - 11:18 am

Nachiketa Sharma - Terrific pictures, Rajan. The colours and moods of the pictures burst with vibrancy. Tulsidevi has much reason to rejoice in Goa! In response to the previous post, *not* gone are the days. I take pride in saying ours was the only home on our street (and possibly in our city of Cupertino, California?) to hang a beautiful, hand-crafted aakaashdeep on our apricot tree. Ah, just the sight brought back my childhood days of Deepavali in Dharwad.

October 31, 2009 - 10:28 am

Sanjeev - Nice series Rajan. In our part of Goa (Saligao) there is quite a bit of action during Tulsi Vivah with the priest zipping on a hero honda from one house to the other, fireworks and large crowds following in their finest clothing.

October 31, 2009 - 6:58 am

Arun - The Indian love of color is amply displayed in this series :)

October 31, 2009 - 6:22 am

Shrikant Barve - Comment on Last photo : Gone are the days….
Few decades back there was competition among enthusiatic players to hang the Akaash Divo at highest point usually on a mango or Jack fruit tree.

With use of gadi (wooden pulley ) and string. Akaash Divo was brough down with the help of Gadi and string to light it with Panati or Candle. Its a regular ceremony every evening for 15 days.

Second last Photo. : Tulsi lagna is over.
Jodvi in relation to number of Savastni in family including leased premises are offered.

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