"Tulasi is auspicious in all respects. Simply by seeing, simply by touching, simply by remembering, simply by praying to, simply by bowing before, simply by hearing about, or simply by sowing this tree, there is always auspiciousness. Anyone who comes in touch with the Tulasi tree in the above mentioned ways lives eternally in the spiritual world."
—Srila Prabhupada, The Nectar of Devotion
Tulasi, a sacred plant is generally worshiped by hindus, vaishnavites, bengalis, people from orissa and literally each and every person who knows the medicinal importance of this holy plant.
The offering of its leaves is recommended in ritualistic worship of Vishnu and his avatars, like Krishna and Vithoba. Traditionally, the tulasi is planted in the center of the central courtyard of Hindu houses. The plant is cultivated for religious purposes, and for its essential oil. Tulasi is grown in a miniaturized Vrindavan, a raised cuboid stone or brick structure often in the middle of the house's courtyard or in front of the house.
The tulasi herb is a centre of household religious devotion particularly among women and is referred to as the "women's deity" and "a symbol of wifehood and motherhood", it is also called "the central sectarian symbol of Hinduism" and Vaishnavas consider it as "the manifestation of god in the plant kingdom".
- A person who waters and cares for the tulasi daily is believed to gain spiritual merit and the divine grace of Vishnu, even if he does not worship it. Traditionally, the daily worship and care of the plant is the responsibility of the women of the household.
- Though daily worship is prescribed, Tuesdays and Fridays are considered especially sacred for Tulasi worship.
- Rituals involve watering the plant, cleaning the area near the plant with water and cow dung and making offerings of food, flowers, incense, Ganges water, etc. Rangoli (decorative designs) of deities and saints are drawn near its foot.
- Devotees pray to Tulasi and circumambulate the plant while chanting mantras. The tulasi plant is often worshipped twice in a day: in the morning and in the evening, when a lamp or candle is lit near the plant.