Grayslake, IL, November 17: The Hindu Mandir of Lake County, Grayslake, IL celebrated a grand Tulsi Vivah, the ceremonial marriage of the Tulsi plant (holy basil that represents purity) to the Hindu God Vishnu or his Avatar as Krishna on October 31 (the day of " Dev Ekadashi" – 11th day of Hindu month of Kartik Shuklapaksha), with more than 200 devotees.

During Tulsi Vivah, which signifies the end of the monsoon and the beginning of the Hindu wedding season in India, male devotees carried Lord Krishna's statue with Shaligram stone into the shrine as Varpaksha. The temple priests performed Gotraachar and Hasth-meelap of Varpaksha with Kannyapaksha of female devotees who came in with Tulsi and other deities.

Pt. Anil Joshi, Ramachari, and Yogesh Pandya performed first Abhishekam and Vivah Vidhividhan with all the Vedic rituals, mantras, Saptapadi, offering of Mangal Sutra and Sindoor and Bidayi of the bride to Groom's abode.

Rita Anand Patel and Kamlesh Desai sang melodious "Saath Phere" songs that narrated the meaning and significance of the relationship of couples in each phere that represents each life of the couple. Devotees donned Indian traditional colorful dresses but also brought nice new clothes for the deities with elegant jewelries, Shringar samagris, flowers, and various sweets.

Mandir celebrates all Hindu festivals with all the Vedic rituals to preserve, educate, and encourage the continuation of Hindu culture and heritage by Indian younger generation. (IANS)