Tulsi is a consecrated plant that holds lot of
importance for the traditional Hindus. In most of the Hindu homes,
people worship Tulsi plant on a daily basis. Many people keep a plant of
Tulsi in front of their house, since Tulsi has a lot of reverence for
them. On the festive occasion of 'Kartik Shukla Dwadashi' that usually
falls two weeks after the celebration of Diwali, tulsi plants are
adorned with varied artistic things made from sugarcane, flowers and
mango leaves. After decorating Tulsi Vrindavana, people offer prayers to
Tulsi. Clay lamps are lit all around the tulsi plant. The event is
usually celebrated as tulsi vivah, in which tulsi is married to Lord
Vishnu.
Tulsi symbolizes devotion, love, responsibility, virtues and miseries of
women. This Indian basil is worshipped by females of all age groups. To
perform tulsi puja, one needs to take bath and get rid of all sorts of
dirt, then be it physical or mental. People decorate the vessel or pot,
in which tulsi is planted. Water is then offered to the holy basil.
Kumkum is applied to one of the leaves. Some people tie a small piece of
red cloth on its branch. Red flower is offered to the herbal plant
Tulsi. Clay lamps are lighted all around the plant and then aarti is
performed to complete the pooja. On the completion of puja, people
usually eat a leaf of tulsi, with the belief that this act would enable
them to take the Holy Spirit inside them.
