Hindus across India perform Tulasi Pooja

Hindus across India perform Tulasi Pooja

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Nov 7, 2011 :Tulsi Puja, also referred to as Tulsi Vivaha, is celebrated by devotees across India on Utthana Dwadashi every year.

 

 

 

Hindus compulsorily plant and worship the Tulsi or Holy Basil plant in front of their houses because they believe it is a form of Vrinda, who was raised to the status of a goddess by Lord Vishnu.

Legend has it that Vrinda was the wife of Jalandhar, a dhanava who used to harass the gods continuously. Since he was protected by the virtues of his wife Vrinda, nobody could destroy him. The gods, therefore, approached Vishnu, who disguised himself as Jalandhar and approached Vrinda. Vrinda entertained Vishnu believing him to be her husband and therefore lost all the virtues that protected her husband from harm. Immediately, Jalandhar could be killed.

Legend also has it that Vrinda was reborn was Rukmini, the wife of Krishna in her next birth. People also believe that Tulsi is a representative of Goddess Mahalaxmi, the wife of Vishnu.

The tulasi plant plays an important role in the lives of Hindu devotees. It is a medicinal plant, curing ailments such as cold, fever, skin diseases, and so on besides being an excellent beauty treatment. Tulsi not only repels mosquitoes, but is also used in pujas.

On the day of tulasi puja, people decorate the tulasi katte with lights, lamps, mango leaves, sugarcane, and so on. They then offer flowers and vermilion to the goddess, perform aarathi, and sing devotional songs.