Lord Ganesha holds the place of first god in Hinduism; Lord Ganesha is worshiped at first in any spiritual, religious, or other ceremony. Lord Ganesha is worshiped first in any puja at home. Lord Ganesha is considered one of the most glorious and auspicious presences in Hindu culture. Devotees offer a huge variety of things to Lord Ganesha that he loves and takes blessings.
Tulsi and basil leaves are not part of those offerings. This is a big thing about not offering tulsi leaves to Lord Ganesha because tulsi is considered the most holy plant in Hinduism. Tulsi, or holy basil, is one of the most worshiped plants in Hinduism and India. Tulsi is used for pujas and religious ceremonies; it is also one of the five elements used in making the main prasad in India called panch amvrit (the mixture of five divine elements), because it is believed that tulsi has a purifying nature and healing properties.
However, there is one god in Hinduism to whom tulsi is not offered: Lord Ganesha. According to a survey conducted in 2019, 90% of Hindus in India do not offer tulsi to Lord Ganesha. This practice is known by everyone because it is mentioned in the Shiv Purana, one of the main holy texts of Hinduism.
The Significance of Tulsi in Hinduism
The tulsi plant, also known as the basil plant, holds a special place in Hinduism. The Tulsi plant is not only considered a holy plant but also considered a form of the goddess Laxmi. Hindus hold tulsi plants with full care and worship them with huge respect.
Tulsi is believed to remove negativity and improve spiritual development. Tusi leaves are an important part of ceremonies and rituals in Hinduism. People also use tulsi drops for cough and cold relief.
The Significance of Lord Ganesha in Hinduism
Lord Ganesha is a popular and beloved deity in Hinduism. Lord Ganesha is a symbol of wisdom, knowledge, and success. In all the Hindu deities, Lord Ganesha holds first place. He is a charming and friendly god; he is an elephant-headed and modak-loving god. He rides on a mouse named mushak raaj. He is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and the brother of Lord Kartikeya. Lord Ganesha has 2 wives named Ridhi-Siddhi and 2 sons named Shubh-Laabh.
Examining the Ancient Belief Behind the Practice
The story behind the tradition in which tulsi leaves are not offered to Lord Ganesha is a mixture of many historical tales:
One story says that once a princess became a basil plant by a sage; she was a devotee of Lord Vishnu, which made her lord's partner.
Another story says that Lord Ganesha and Tulsi fall in love, but Tulsi's father denies their marriage, which makes Lord Ganesha sad. That's why Tulsi is not offered to Lord Ganesha.
The Padma Purana claims that tulsi is Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu's purana, which is why it is not offered to any other god.
