For thousands of years, Indian culture accords great importance to trees and nature. Ayurveda records their valuable contribution. In rural areas, they make an integral part of social life. Most of our religious ceremonies and festivals include worship of trees like neem, peepul, banyan, asopalav. Among all herbs, Tulsi occupies the most respected and important position.
The Tulsi plant is found in almost every other home of a Hindu. It is a symbol of culture and religious inclinations of the family. Some families plant Tulsi in a specially built structure. The images of various deities are installed on the four sides of the structure. The soil is fertilized and at the center a Tulsi plant is reared with devotional care. Some choose to grow more of this plant and create a so-called `Tulsi-van` or `Vrindavan`, a miniature forest.
