Tulsi and lord Vishnu were wedded under sugarcane mandap constructed in several homes in the city on Wednesday to mark Tulsi Vivah or Devuthhni Ekadashi. Markets and households were bathed in festive fervour as bundles of sugarcane and other pooja items overflowed Purani Basti, Aamapara, Sadar Bazar and other areas in the capital.
Homes were decorated with rangoli or alpana, lamps and electric lights while temples remained crowded throughout the day. Tulsi plants were decorated as women sang folk wedding songs and blessed the newly-wedded couple. Devotees observed daylong fasts and prepared delicacies for the pooja. With the wedding of lord Vishnu and Tulsi, the marriage season has begun. It is believed that only when the Gods wake up from their six months-long sleep, auspicious events can begin. Farmers from Raipura and Chandrakhuri said that one pair of sugarcane was for sold for Rs 30-60. While water caltrop (singhada) fetched Rs 40 per kg, sweet potato was sold at Rs 20 per kg. Brinjal, gooseberries and other leafy vegetables flooded the market.