According to sources the 'Tulsi' plant or Indian basil is an important symbol in the Hindu religious tradition. The name 'Tulsi' connotes "the incomparable one". Tulsi is a venerated plant and Hindus worship it in the morning and evening. Tulsi grows wild in the tropics and warm regions. Dark or Shyama Tulsi and light or Rama Tulsi are the two main varieties of basil, the former possessing greater medicinal value.
Meanwhile of the many varieties, the Krishna or Shyama Tulsi is commonly used for worship. Many families have the Tulsi planted in a specially built structure, which has images of deities installed on all four sides, and an alcove for a small earthen oil lamp. Some households can even have up to a dozen Tulsi plants on the verandah.
The Tulsi plant is even known to purify or
de-pollute the atmosphere and also works as a repellent to mosquitoes, flies
and other harmful insects. Tulsi used to be a universal remedy in cases of
malarial fever.
