Mangalore: Today, November 7, is the day of Tulsi Devi, wife of Lord Krishna who wears a garland of dark Tulsi leaves around his neck always.

Dasas (servants of God) extol the image with Tulsi perfume. The Tulsi Puja(worship) or the day of Tulsi Matrimony, is on Karthik shukla Dwadashi day, every year, and it is today.

It is called Uthana Dwadashi(resurrection on 12th day of Karthik month on bright fortnight of the moon). The holy basil plant is seen in every traditional Hindu home front on a platform or pedestal, or in a pot of fresh soil.

She is Vrinda, known to all Krishna lovers at Mathura, Gokul and Vrindavan, on the banks of Yamuna(Jumna), granted the status of a Goddess by Lord Vishnu of Vaikunta.

Tusli was born as Rukmini in her next birth to marry Krishna.

Tulsi plant has its medicinal properties to protect human beings from diseases such as fever, cold or skin ailments. Pests like mosquitoes shun Tulsi plants in a group, maintained in front of a Hindu home. Green tea made of Tulsi leaves, removes bodily diseases, taken as a drink. Tulsi twigs are formed into garlands for decorating shrines.

There are 108 varieties of a Tulsi plant that grows wild. Women Worship Tulsi, and use it in chudi(a bunch of flowers).

On this day, Tulsi Puja is conducted with earther lights surrounding the plant, raised on a pedestal, and prasadam(sweet dish) is distributed to devotees.