In Hinduism Ocimum tenuiflorum

tulsi leaves essential part in worship of vishnu , avatars, including krishna , ram, , other male vaishnava deities such hanuman, balarama, garuda , many others. tulsi sacred plant hindus , worshipped avatar of lakshmi. believed water mixed petals given dying raises departing souls heaven. tulsi, sanskrit incomparable 1 , regarded consort of krishna in form of lakshmi. according brahma vaivarta purana, tulsi expression of sita. there 2 types of tulsi worshipped in hinduism: rama tulsi has light green leaves , larger in size; shyama tulsi has dark green leaves , important worship of hanuman. many hindus have tulasi plants growing in front of or near home, in special pots. traditionally, tulsi planted in centre of central courtyard of hindu houses. grown next hanuman temples, in varanasi.

according vaishnavas, believed in puranas during samudra manthana, when gods win ocean-churning against asuras, dhanvantari comes ocean amrit in hand gods. dhanvantari, divine healer, sheds happy tears, , when first drop falls in amrit, forms tulasi. in ceremony of tulsi vivaha, tulsi ceremonially married krishna annually on eleventh day of waxing moon or twelfth of month of kartik in lunar calendar. day marks end of four-month chaturmas, considered inauspicious weddings , other rituals, day inaugurates annual marriage season in india. ritual lighting of lamps each evening during kartik includes worship of tulsi plant, held auspicious home. vaishnavas follow daily worship of tulsi during kartik. in legend, tulsi pious woman sought boon marry vishnu. lakshmi, vishnu s consort, cursed become plant in earth. however, vishnu appeased giving boon grace him when appears in form of shaligrama in temples.

vaishnavas traditionally use hindu prayer beads made tulsi stems or roots, important symbol of initiation. tulsi rosaries considered auspicious wearer, , believed put them under protection of hanuman. have such strong association vaishnavas, followers of hanuman known bear tulsi round neck .