Mangalore: In the West Coast, there is a tradition of the benevolent Tulsi (plant) marriage to Lord Krishna on Karthik Dwadashi, the day after the famous and popular Karthik Ekadashi that is one of the two holiest 11th days in a year coming every month twice.
The Tulsi Pooja is due tomorrow on Nov.18, in the evening. It is a mini-Diwali day, with fasting leading to feasting for the married women, before and after the Tulsi worship.
The medicinal plant has great value, in relation to Lord Krishna who always wears Tulsi leaf garlands. Goddess Tulsi is believed to have married Lord Krishna on this holy day and the legend continues with ISKCON followers and Vaishnawas.
The dark Tulsi plant is superior to other plants seen around Hindu homes. The Pooja (devotional worship) is restricted to married women who take special vows. The children join in, by bursting fire crackers and lighting lamps of fire in many ways in the frontyard of houses.
In Udupi, Tulsi worship begins at 5.30 am at down. Tulsi has the company of groseberry (Nellikai) at worship. A lakh of lamps are litup near Madhwa lake at 6 pm with Carstreet litup by many fires.