Every traditional Hindu household has one sacred plant in its courtyard — the Tulsi plant. She is not just an ordinary plant, but a goddess in physical form, lovingly known as "Hari Priya" — the most beloved of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that Tulsi Devi is the divine manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi herself. In this blog, let's explore the powerful story behind Tulsi, her amazing benefits, and the complete Tulsi Vivah ritual.
Introduction to Tulsi
"Tulsi" is a Sanskrit word meaning "the one who has no comparison." This name itself reflects her unmatched divine nature. In Hinduism, Tulsi is revered as a symbol of purity, devotion, and the gateway to moksha. She is known by many sacred names — Vrinda, Vaishnavi, Hari Priya, and Vrindavan.
Every part of the Tulsi plant is considered sacred — even the soil in which she grows is regarded as holy. According to traditional belief, the topmost part of the Tulsi plant is the dwelling of all gods and goddesses, the middle holds the four Vedas, and the roots house all the important pilgrimage sites of India.
Two Types of Tulsi
There are two primary varieties of Tulsi, and both are equally worshipped and possess remarkable spiritual and healing properties —
🌿 Ram Tulsi
Has light green colored leaves. Also known as "Shri Tulsi," she is most commonly used in temple worship and daily puja rituals.
🌿 Shyama Tulsi
Has deep purple-bluish leaves that resemble the dark complexion of Lord Krishna. For this reason, she is also called "Krishna Tulsi."
The Story of Vrinda and Shankhachuda
The most well-known story of Tulsi Devi's origin is the legend of Vrinda and the demon Shankhachuda. Let's walk through it step by step —
In ancient times, there lived a powerful demon named Shankhachuda. With his might, he defeated all the demigods and established his dominion over the three worlds.
The true secret of his invincibility lay in his wife Vrinda — a deeply devoted and chaste woman. It was her unwavering loyalty and purity that gave Shankhachuda his unmatched power. No one could defeat him as long as her chastity remained intact.
When the demigods sought help from Lord Shiva, He engaged Shankhachuda in battle, but Vrinda's spiritual power made it impossible to slay the demon.
Then Lord Vishnu enacted a divine play — He took the exact form of Shankhachuda and appeared before Vrinda, who at that very moment was performing a sacred ritual for her husband's protection.
Believing Him to be her husband, Vrinda accepted Lord Vishnu, and her vow of chastity was broken. At that exact moment, Shankhachuda was slain in battle.
When Vrinda discovered the truth, she was overwhelmed with anger and cursed Lord Vishnu to turn into stone. Lord Vishnu accepted this curse with grace and manifested as the sacred "Shaligram Shila" near the Gandaki River.
Lord Vishnu then blessed Vrinda with a divine boon — she would incarnate on earth as the Tulsi plant and would be worshipped by everyone. He further declared that no worship of His would ever be complete without Tulsi leaves, and that every year on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi, a sacred wedding between Tulsi and Shaligram would be celebrated.
Second Legend — Samudra Manthan
According to another well-known story, when the demigods and demons together churned the Ksheer Sagar (the cosmic ocean of milk), fourteen divine treasures emerged — among them was the sacred Amrit (nectar of immortality). When the divine physician Lord Dhanvantari saw it, He shed tears of joy. As those tears fell upon the Amrit, Tulsi Devi manifested from them.
Yet another belief holds that Vrinda was actually the wife of an asura named Jalandhar — who was born from the fire emitted by Lord Shiva's third eye into the ocean. While these legends vary across different Puranas, the essence of every story is the same — Tulsi has always been most dear to Lord Vishnu.
7 Major Benefits of Tulsi
Tulsi is far more than just a sacred plant — she is regarded in Ayurveda as a treasure of healing properties. Her benefits work at both spiritual and physical levels —
- Healing properties: Tulsi is highly effective in treating cough, cold, fever, malaria, and many common ailments — Ayurveda considers her one of the most sacred medicinal plants
- Removes vastu dosha: Having a Tulsi plant at the center of the courtyard removes vastu defects and brings auspicious energy into the home
- Positive vibrations: Wherever a Tulsi plant grows and is honored, peace, happiness, and prosperity naturally flourish
- Grants moksha: Placing Tulsi leaves in water and offering it to someone on their deathbed is believed to elevate their soul towards liberation
- Funeral rites: Twigs of Tulsi are placed on the funeral pyre so the departed soul may enter Vaikuntha — the eternal abode of Lord Vishnu
- Tulsi Mala: Beads made from Tulsi stems form sacred japa malas — Vaishnavas wear them around their necks as a mark of devotion
- Hari's grace: No worship of Lord Vishnu is considered complete without offering Tulsi leaves at His feet
Tulsi Vivah — When & Why
Tulsi Vivah is celebrated every year from Kartik Shukla Ekadashi (Devuthani Ekadashi) through Purnima. This divine wedding is performed between Tulsi Devi and the Shaligram Shila (a sacred form of Lord Vishnu).
This day also marks the beginning of the auspicious wedding season in India. During the four months of Chaturmas, Lord Vishnu rests in yog nidra (mystic slumber) in the Ksheer Sagar. He awakens on Devuthani Ekadashi, and the very first wedding celebrated thereafter is "Tulsi Vivah" — after which all auspicious occasions and ceremonies become permissible once again.
It is believed that the family who performs Tulsi Vivah earns the same spiritual merit as performing "Kanyadaan." Childless couples especially observe this ritual to invoke the blessings of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi.
Complete Tulsi Vivah Vidhi
Tulsi Vivah is performed with all the joy, love, and rituals of a real Hindu wedding — treating Tulsi as a beloved daughter being given in marriage. Here is the step-by-step procedure —
Preparing the venue: In the evening, clean the courtyard or puja area. Create a beautiful rangoli around the Tulsi pot (or Tulsi Chaura) and build a small mandap using sugarcane stalks.
Adorning Tulsi: Decorate Tulsi Devi like a Hindu bride — drape her with a red chunri, apply sindoor, place bindi, bangles, ornaments, and offer a fresh flower garland.
Installing Shaligram: Place the Shaligram Shila (or an image of Lord Vishnu) beside Tulsi as the groom. Adorn Him with yellow clothes, a small pagri (turban), and garlands.
Ghrit-Kalash Pujan: Fill a kalash with water, place mango leaves and a coconut on top. Light a diya and begin with the worship of Lord Ganesh and Goddess Gauri.
Sankalp & Kanyadaan: Take a vow (sankalp) with mantras, then perform the Kanyadaan of Tulsi — offering her as your spiritual daughter to Lord Vishnu. This is considered one of the most sacred forms of Kanyadaan.
Marriage mantras & pheras: Tie a red cloth knot between Tulsi and Shaligram. Perform 7 ceremonial parikramas (pheras) around them while reciting Vishnu Sahasranama or Tulsi Stotra.
Aarti & Bhog: Perform the mangal aarti. Offer Tulsi Devi shringar items, dry fruits, sweets, sugarcane, water chestnuts (singhara), and ber as bhog.
Prasad & Dakshina: Distribute prasad to all attendees. Offer dakshina and gifts to the priest. Keep a night vigil with bhajans and kirtans to complete the celebration.
How to Care for Tulsi at Home
Simply keeping a Tulsi plant at home is not enough — honoring her with proper care and reverence is equally important. Neglecting Tulsi is considered inauspicious. Here are the essential guidelines —
- The women of the house should offer water to Tulsi every morning after taking a bath
- Keep the area around the plant clean — sweep and wipe regularly
- Perform parikrama (circumambulation) around Tulsi during puja — at least 3 times
- Lighting a diya near Tulsi in the evening is extremely auspicious
- Do not pluck Tulsi leaves on Sundays, Ekadashi, or Sankranti (pluck them earlier and store)
- The ideal placement is the center of the courtyard — within a stone structure called Tulsi Chaura or Tulsi Vrindavan
- If a Tulsi plant dries up, never throw it casually — immerse it in flowing water with respect