Tulsi Mata Aarti & Chalisa - Significance & Puja Vidhi

Tulsi Mata is the sacred basil plant revered as a living goddess and the most beloved of Lord Vishnu. According to tradition, she was Vrinda, a devoted wife whose purity and devotion earned her an eternal place at Vishnu's feet, taking the form of the tulsi plant. Found in the courtyard of nearly every Hindu home, she is a symbol of purity, devotion and auspiciousness. Her leaves are considered essential in the worship of Vishnu and Krishna, who do not accept bhog without tulsi.

Tulsi holds both spiritual and practical significance. Spiritually, she purifies the home, wards off negativity and pleases Lord Vishnu, with daily worship believed to bring health, harmony and prosperity. Practically, tulsi is a revered Ayurvedic herb that purifies the air and supports immunity. Two main types - Rama Tulsi (green) and Shyama Tulsi (dark) - are both worshipped. Tulsi Vivah, the ceremonial marriage of Tulsi to Lord Vishnu (Shaligram) on Kartik Ekadashi, is her greatest festival.

The Tulsi Chalisa praises her as the purest plant-goddess, dear to Hari and the remover of sin and disease. Opening doha:

Jai Tulsi Maa pavitra-roopa, Hari ko atyant pyaari. Sharan padi jo aapki, mit jaaye vipada saari.

Chaupai (sample): Jai Tulsi Maharani jagdamba, paap-naashini bhakt-avlamba. Vishnu-priya tum sukh ki daata, ghar-ghar mein shobha pati maata.

The verses celebrate her purity, her bond with Vishnu and her power to bless and protect the home.

Light a ghee lamp at the tulsi plant in the evening and sing:

Tulsi maharani namo namo, Hari ki patarani namo namo. Dhan tulsi pooran tap kinho, shaligram-hi vyaah rachayo. Naam apar shree jagdani, namo namo Hari ki patarani. Sab ke dukh-sankat tum haro, ghar-ghar mein anand bharo.

Circle the lamp clockwise, then offer water and pray for the purity, health and prosperity of the family.

1. In the morning, bathe and offer fresh water at the roots of the tulsi plant. 2. Apply roli and akshat (rice) and offer flowers and a little kumkum to the plant. 3. In the evening, light a ghee or sesame oil lamp at the base of the plant. 4. Recite the Tulsi Chalisa and chant Om Tulsyai Namah or Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya. 5. Sing the Tulsi aarti and circle the lamp clockwise, then circumambulate the plant. 6. Pray for purity, health and Vishnu's blessings, and seek forgiveness for any unknowing disrespect. Lighting a lamp at tulsi each evening is an especially auspicious daily practice.

Daily tulsi worship is believed to bring purity, peace and prosperity to the home, please Lord Vishnu, support health and ward off negativity. To honour her: never pluck tulsi leaves on Sundays, Ekadashi or after sunset, never with the nails, and never step on or near a dried plant. Keep the plant in the north, east or north-east, water it daily, and do not let it dry out or be placed in an unclean spot.