Known as the queen of herbs, the tulsi plant has numerous medicinal properties and is often found in Indian households, because it is considered sacred among the Hindus. Also called basil, this herb acts as a cure to various seasonal diseases such as common cold, flu and cough. Additionally, keeping a tulsi plant at home brings harmony and happiness to the family, according to Vastu.
So, where to place Tulsi plant at home? Here is a Vastu guide for keeping the Holy basil in your house to attract positivity.
Known about: Types Of Tulsi Plant
Tulsi Plant Vastu
Tulsi or holy basil is a flowering plant that belongs to the mint family and has originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is a short perennial shrub that grows up to one metre in height and have fragrant green or purple-coloured leaves. The plant’s fruits are nutlets that contain numerous seeds.
As per the Hindu religion, Tulsi is a revered plant that is believed to be a form of goddess Lakshmi. Hence, it finds it place in many Indian households. Usually, people grow the plant in a four-sided cement structure that is also known as Tulsi chaura. As per Vastu, the presence of this auspicious plant is known to purify the environment and promote positivity, meditation, and protection.
People worship Tulsi plant in the morning and evening by chanting mantras, lighting incense and offering flowers and pure Ganges water to the plant.
See also: Jade Plant Benefits
Tulsi plant Vastu: Benefits of Tulsi plant at home
Therapeutic benefits
- The leaves of Tulsi are widely known for their medicinal properties and used in Ayurveda, which is an alternative system of medicine.
- Tulsi, which is known to have anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties that help fight infections, helps in fighting various diseases and conditions, including cancer, heart-related diseases, respiratory illnesses, skin problems, bacterial infections, etc.
- Consuming Tulsi tea has also been found to be beneficial for people with liver problems.
- Moreover, Tulsi is also used as a herb in cooking.
Promotes a peaceful environment
As per Vastu, the Tulsi plant is an auspicious plant that should be placed in the house to create positive vibrations. Apart from its medicinal properties and many health benefits, the presence of tulsi plants helps in eliminating stress.
Tulsi helps purify the surroundings
The plant creates a pleasant aroma, which keeps the surrounding fresh. Keeping this plant at home purifies the air. It is believed that the tulsi plant absorbs toxic gases such as sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, etc., from the air. The plant also keeps mosquitoes away with its mosquito-repellent qualities.
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Tulsi promotes a blissful marital life
As per Vastu Shastra, worshipping Tulsi plant leads to a happy married life for couples, and brings peace, wealth, and prosperity.
A special Tulsi pooja is done every year on the Ekadashi Tithi of Shukla Paksha or on the eleventh bright day in the Kartika month. As per Hindu religion, a ceremony known as Tulsi Vivah is performed one of these days before the beginning of the wedding season. In this ceremony, the ceremonial wedding of Lord Vishnu with Tulsi is conducted in temples and homes. The Tulsi plant is adorned like a bride and a shaligrama, a sacred stone, is used to represent Lord Vishnu.
Tulsi plant religious significance
In the Hindu religion, the sacred Tulsi plant has great significance and is used in various pooja rituals.
- Tulsi leaves are used in making the panchamrita, a holy drink made from milk, ghee, curd, honey and sugar.
- The Tulsi plant is believed to have self-purifying nature and can cleanse itself. Therefore, if can be washed and reused for pooja.
- Tulsi leaves are offered to the deities for worship. They are also used in making garlands or mala for adoring the deities as a part of the Alankaran ceremony in poojas.
- As per the Hindu culture, the Tulsi leaf is associated with Lord Vishnu and is offered to please the deity. All sacrifices to the deity are incomplete without it. Vaishnavas usually generally wear Tulsi mala when chanting Vishnu mantras. This helps generate positive vibrations.
- The woody stem of the Tulsi plant is widely utilised in making beads for rosaries or japa mala.
Which Tulsi is best for home? Rama and Shyama?
You can keep either of these two varieties of Tulsi plant at home. Both Rama and Shyama Tulsi plant are widely popular for their medicinal benefits.
The Holy Basil or green Tulsi plant is the commonly available Tulsi plants considered auspicious as per Vastu Shastra. There are different variants of the Tulsi plant in India.
Rama Tulsi
The Tulsi with green leaves is called ‘Shri-Tulsi’, also known as ‘fortunate Tulsi’ or ‘Rama-Tulsi’ or ‘bright Tulsi’. Rama Tulsi (Ocimum Sanctum), is known for its healing properties and used for religious purposes. The taste of the Tulsi leaves is sweeter than other Tulsi variants.
Shyama-Tulsi
The Tulsi with dark green or purple leaves and purple stem is called ‘Shyama-Tulsi’ or ‘dark Tulsi’ or ‘Krishna-Tulsi’. It is associated with Lord Krishna because its purple colour is similar to Lord Krishna’s dark complexion. Shyama Tulsi is also known as Krishna tulsi (Ocimum Tenuiflorum) is the Tulsi variant with unique medicinal benefits like cure for throat infections, skin diseases, ear ache, nasal lesions and respiratory problems.
Kapoor Tulsi
This form of tulsi is known for its healing properties and fighting many life-threatening diseases. It has an aromatic smell that keeps inspects and mosquitoes away.
The other Indian variants are Vana Tulsi or Wild Tulsi.
Where to keep Tulsi plant at home according to Vastu Shastra?
Vastu Shastra recommends guidelines for keeping Tulsi plant in the ideal direction in home.
While the best place for the plant is in the east, you can also place it in the balcony or near the window in the north or the north-east direction. The north direction is the direction of water as per Vastu. Placement of tulsi plant in this direction will help set a positive environment at home by inviting the good energies and eliminating the negative energies.
- Ensure sufficient sunlight is available near the plant.
- Do not place things such as brooms, shoes or dustbins around the planter.
- Ensure that the area around the plant is neat and clean.
- Always place flowering plants near the plant.
- Avoid thorny plants like cactus near the Tulsi plant.
- Avoid keeping a dry plant in the house as it attracts negative energies.
See also: Vastu tips for bamboo plant at home
Avoid growing Tulsi plant on the ground
Since the Tulsi plant is worshipped and is regarded as sacred, one should not plant Tulsi directly in the ground. Make sure you keep the plant in a pot and plant it on a raised platform in the north or northeast corner. You can consider the window rail or balcony for growing the holy basil or Tulsi plant at home.
Number of Tulsi plant to keep as per Vastu
Always keep the plant in odd numbers like one, three or five to achieve the best results, according to Vastu Shastra principles.
How to worship Tulsi plant at home?
As per Vastu Shastra, one should follow certain rules when worshipping the Holy Basil or Tulsi plant and creating a simple Tulsi mandir design at home.
- The tulsi plant is considered a sacred plant and hence one should ensure to keep the surroundings near the Tulsi plant clean and clutter-free. This is important to attract positive energies in the house.
- Light an oil lamp near the plant.
- Offer water from a Kalash to the Tulsi plant. Always hold the kalash with both the hands.
- Offer holy items like kumkum, haldi, flowers and incense.
- Chant shloka while circumambulating
You can also keep a Tulsi chaura in the house, a four-sided, cement structure for growing the sacred Tulsi plant. As per Vastu Shastra, you can design the Tulsi chaura structure in the northeast corner of your balcony or outdoor space. East is another idea Tulsi plant Vastu direction you can consider.
Use materials like wood or marble for designing the Tulsi mandir design structure. Make sure the area is clean and receives adequate sunlight. You can light a ghee lamp near the plant.
Tulsi plant Vastu direction
Tulsi plant Vastu direction to avoid
When bringing Tulsi plant to home, make sure you place the plant in the Vastu recommended direction only, which is the north or northeast direction. According to the Vastu Shastra rules, one should not keep the plant in the south east direction, which is the direction of fire god or Agni.
Tulsi plant: Quick facts
| Plant name | Tulsi, Tulasi or Holy Basil |
| Botanical name | Ocimum Tenuiflorum |
| Family | Mint family (Lamiaceae) |
| Found in | Indian subcontinent and southeast Asia |
| Flowers | Small purple or white tubular flowers |
| Leaves | Green or purple leaves, depending on the variety |
| Significance | It is considered auspicious and worshipped in households |
| Benefits | Used in cooking, widely known for its medicinal properties |
- It is a perennial shrub that grows up to a height of one metre in height.
- The plant stems are hairy and simple toothed.
- The fruits of the plant are nutlets that have numerous seeds.
Best day to worship Tulsi plant?
Usually, people in India worship the sacred Tulsi plant. As per Vastu Shastra, Tuesdays and Fridays are considered the most auspicious days of the week.
Which day is best to plant Tulsi at home?
According to Hindu beliefs, tulsi should be planted on a Thursday in the Kartik month, as per the Hindu calendar.
Does a tulsi plant need direct sunlight?
According to gardening experts, the plant should be placed close to a window which is warm and sunny. It requires almost six to eight hours of sunlight during the day. Therefore, the planter has to be placed in a spot where it would be able to receive a lot of sunlight.
See also: Lucky plants for the home
Can tulsi be grown indoors?
It can be grown indoors, provided it gets proper sunlight. You can keep it near a window which gets the maximum daylight. Moreover, the indoors should be warm and the soil should be kept moist, to allow the tulsi to bloom and spread its fragrance.
How to maintain a tulsi plant?
Make sure you prune the plant regularly. Remove the dried leaves and keep it watered. Add organic fertilisers to keep it green and healthy.
FAQs
How many Tulsi plants should be kept at home?
Tulsi plants should be kept in odd numbers.
Why is the Tulsi plant kept outside?
The plant is tropical and requires 6-8 hours of sunlight.
Which direction is good for Tulsi plant?
The ideal location to place a Tulsi or Basil plant is the east, north-east or north or in the central part of the house.
(With inputs from Surbhi Gupta)
