By: Jayanti Oza

The Bharatiya Senior Citizens of Chicago (BSC) brought together more than five hundred community members for its annual Tulsi Vivah celebration at Manav Seva Mandir in Bensenville. The event, held on November 2, 2025, offered an enriching blend of devotion, cultural tradition, and community fellowship, reflecting BSC’s ongoing commitment to preserving Hindu rituals among seniors across Chicagoland.

The program began in the afternoon with a warm welcome for attendees, who were greeted with tea, coffee, and light refreshments. The ceremonial proceedings formally started with the Vargodo procession, which set a festive tone as devotees gathered for the symbolic marriage of Devi Tulsi and Shree Krishna. The Lagna Vidhi followed soon after, accompanied by traditional Lagna Geet performed live by a musical ensemble that filled the mandir with a spiritual and celebratory ambiance.

Community members later came together for a shared dinner, offering an opportunity for conversation, cultural connection, and collective celebration of the auspicious occasion. This year’s Devi Tulsi Yajmans were Mansukhbhai and Geetaben Kheni, while Dr. Prakashbhai and Sonalben Shah served as the Shree Krishna Yajmans, honoring long-standing traditions of service and devotion.

The celebration remained free for all BSC members, aligning with the organization’s mission to nurture cultural continuity, strengthen community bonds, and provide seniors with meaningful spaces of engagement.