Indù peoples considered the Tulsi or Tulasi a sacred plant (see its descriptions in the “Veda”) consecrated to Visnù and Krishna and bear a great respect to it. The leaves are used in their daily rituals to protect the family’s well-being and keep the insects off the house.
If the Tulsi grows easily in the soil it means that that particular place is a healthy one. They believe, in fact, that the mere presence of this “magic plant” has the power to drive the evil spirits away and, on the other hand, attract the divine blessing. The wood of the Tulsi plant is used during their ceremonies to light sacrificial fires.
The Indù peoples believe that, hanging around their neck a piece of wood of Tulsi at the moment of their death, this takes the “Yamaraj Deva” away. In some parts of India the Tulsi is called: “Queen of all plants”.
According to the legend, Tulsi was a beautiful girl called: Maharani whom god Krishna had fallen in love of, but she was already married to a warrior. God Krishna’s desire of her was so strong that, in order to have her, he transformed himself into the semblance of her husband. When the young woman discovered his deceit, she hurled a curse against the god to transform him into a stone, but the furious god turned and shut her into a plant to which he gave the name of Tulsi.