Kshiraabdhi Dwadasi 2026

Kshiraabdhi Dwadasi: The Wedding of Tulasi and Damodara

Kshiraabdhi Dwadasi falls on Kartika Shukla Dwadashi, the day after Uttana Ekadashi. In the evening Telugu families place an usiri (amla) branch beside the tulasi kota and worship Lord Vishnu and Tulasi Devi together. It is also called Chiluku Dwadasi or Tulasi Kalyanam and is one of the most important days of Kartika masam.

Puranic Background

Lord Vishnu enters yoga nidra on Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi (Tholi Ekadashi) and wakes up after the four months of Chaturmasya on Kartika Shukla Ekadashi. On the next day, Dwadashi, He is believed to come with Goddess Lakshmi from the ocean of milk to Brindavanam, the tulasi garden. Elders also say this was the day the ocean of milk (kshira abdhi) was churned, hence the name Chiluku ("churning") Dwadasi. Tulasi is Vishnu's beloved, and the usiri tree is seen as a form of Vishnu, so their kalyanam is celebrated on this day.

Puja Vidhanam

• In the morning, clean the tulasi kota, apply pasupu and kumkuma dots and decorate it with muggulu.
• Plant an usiri branch beside the tulasi plant and regard it as Lord Damodara.
• In the evening, light lamps and offer pasupu, kumkuma, flowers, bangles and nallapusalu to Tulasi and the usiri.
• Light usiri deepalu, small wicks placed on amla fruits, a special feature of this puja.
• Recite the Tulasi Ashtottaram and Vishnu Sahasranamam, and read the Kshiraabdhi Dwadasi vratha katha.
• Offer pulihora, payasam, chalimidi, vadapappu and panakam, and give tamboolam to married women.

Vratham Rules

Those who fasted on Uttana Ekadashi break the fast (parana) on this Dwadashi. Many women eat only one meal until the evening puja is complete. As it is Kartika masam, lighting as many lamps as possible at home and in temples is customary, and vana bhojanam under an usiri tree is a popular Kartika tradition.

Blessings

The vratham is believed to bring saubhagyam, harmony between husband and wife and prosperity at home. Elders say Lakshmi stays permanently in a home that celebrates the Tulasi Damodara kalyanam.

May the grace of Tulasi and Damodara fill every home with light and good fortune.