Worship of the Tulsi Plant
By Rajendra P Kerkar
Tulsi also known as basil is a holy plant, native to India. Botanically
known as Ocimum sanctum, it is a numerously branched, woody herb grown near
Hindu temples and homes. The herb is sacred to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The
Brahmins consider the shrub to be Vishnu's wife and the Nair's from Kerala
consider it to be Shiva. It is believed that various gods and goddesses
dwell in the different parts of the tulsi. Oil from the tulsi leaves is
anti-bacterial and insecticidal in nature. It is also an expectorant along
with having aromatic properties and being a cardio-tonic.
The juice of the leaves is used in cough and respiratory tract disorders and
is applied externally to cure various skin diseases. Infusion of leaves is
used to check malaria and expel worms from the body. It also acts as an
environment purifier.
It is believed that the tulsi plant destroys demons and evil spirits and
that is why it has been traditionally worshipped throughout India. Widows
and the old worship it to attain salvation; unmarried girls for a happy
married life and married couples for happiness and to be blessed with
children. It is believed that when a few drops of the amrut or elixir of
life, churned out of the sea by the gods and the demons, fell to the ground,
the sacred tulsi plant was born.
Tulsi leaves are placed in the mouth, on the forehead and in the ears of the
dead while performing the last rites in Goa. In order to express their
gratitude, devotees prefer to offer garlands made of tulsi leaves to Vishnu,
Krishna and Pandurang. In rural Goa, Hindu women always pray to the tulsi
before going out of the house. In the past, the tulsi vrindavan was made up
of locally available clay. During religious ceremonies it was plastered with
cow dung. The tulsi vrindavan was never plastered with cement and tiles but
with the changing economic conditions homeowners could afford to plaster,
paint and embellish it. One feature common to all temples in Goa, regardless
of their deity, is a tulsi vrindavan. In Goa, tulsi vrindavans are usually
set to one side of the front entrance to the Mandap. The vrindavans
themselves vary from the majestic examples to the elaborately tile-decorated
pedestal. The temple of Malakajan from the Gaodongori of Canacona is the
only temple in Goa, which has two tulsi vrindavans.
Before the arrival of the Portuguese in Goa, the tulsi vrindavan was a
simple clay or terracotta container. After the Portuguese arrived and
conversion to Christianity began in earnest, the vrindavan assumed the
symbol of the Goan Hindu identity and of ethnic pride. After the liberation,
it became richer in its embellishments and had begun to be viewed as a
symbol of prestige. They are brightly painted in chemical based paints and
strengthened with cement, fibreglass and stones.
In Goa, besides having the tulsi vrindavan in front of house, there is also
a tradition where the family builds a vrindavan in honour of a married woman
who died before her husband. It serves as a memorial and is worshiped on
various occasions.
Every year, about ten days after Diwali, the people of Goa celebrate the
wedding of the tulsi plant from Prabhodini Ekadashi of the Kartik month as
'Dev Diwali'. The tulsi plant symbolises the bride and she is wedded to lord
Vishnu who is represented in the form of a well-carved, green, stick of the
Gino shrub. Sugarcane, Amla and tamarind are used on this occasion. In some
places a plant of Taikilo and in other places a plant of Tadmad along with
its pods is decorated with marigold flowers and planted in the vrindavan.
Before any festive occasions, the area around the vrindavan is plastered
with cow dung and decorated with patterns considered auspicious. The Goan
Hindus always prefer to organise marriage ceremonies after the tulsi vivah
festival.
It is an integral part the Goan Hindus religious and cultural life.
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