Sri Devi Stohtranjali - Thulasi Stothram

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.