Tulsi Lagna

Tulsi came out of the ocean during Amrita manthan as a younger sister of Lakshmi. She too was devoted to Lord Vishnu and wanted to marry him. But Lakshmi who was already married to him did not like the idea and cursed her to become a plant. Thus the tulsi plant was born. But the all merciful Lord Vishnu took pity and fulfilling her wish declared that when he will be in the form of a saligram she will remain close to him in the form of a tulsi leaf. Therefore even today a saligram will have a tulsi leaf along with it. In front of every home there will be a tulsi katta in which a plant grows round the year.

Tulsi pooja is one of sacred Hindus festival. At most of Hindu households people worship the Tulsi plant. It is placed in the eastern side of the house as per Vastu and people worship daily by watering and placing flowers and applying Haldi and kumkum . A diya is lit every evening after sunset. 14 days from Deepavali is Uthar Dwadashi which is celebrated as Tulasi Pooja. It is called the Diwali month/Karthik maas. People celebrate it any day through out this month here in South Kanara district. Tulsi (holy basil) is Vishnu’s wife. No pooja among the Hindus is complete without offering tulsi to the lord. On this day we celebrate the pooja after sunset by planting a Tamarind and Aamla branch with the Tulsi .

 
Tulsi Pooja 2011

 Tulsi Pooja 2012

The Lord Krishna Idol is got from God's room worshiped front of Tulsi. Lord Krishna is offered with Abhishekam followed by Tulsi dal offerings. Krishna astothara is chanted while offering tulsi dal. 

The Tulsi pooja has been performed by my father since he is married.We still practice the same rituals. Mom makes GhoD Phovu (Poha in molten jaggery) & Chana upkari every year which is served as Prasadam to friends and family. Rangoli is drawn in front of the Tulsi, which my mom draws & I personally find it very cute. Even I draw rangoli well. Tulsi Katte is cleaned well and painted every year. Sugarcane is also used for decoration with flowers and lamps made of clay lit around the Tulsi.

Nivedyam offered to God during pooja:

Sweet Poha [GhoD Phov(konkani)]

Chana upkari (konkani)

GhoD Phov (konkani)
Poha - 1 cup
Jaggery - 1/2 cup
Black Sesame seeds - 2 teaspoons
Grated coconut (optional) - 2-4 teaspoons
Cardamom powder - 1/3 teaspoon
Water - Just a sprinkle
Method:

• Melt Jaggery in a saucepan and once in a molten state, add grated coconut.
• Give a good stir and add slightly roasted Black 
• Sesame seeds (roasted separately in a different pan). 
• Add Poha now and stir well. If the Poha retains its stiffness, sprinkle some water to add softness. Add cardamom powder and serve as a Prasadam during festivals.

Chana upkari (konkani)

• Soak 1 cup Pigeon pea in water for 1-2 hrs
• Drain the water and  cook the chana adding 2-3 cups of water, add salt.
• When its cook, keep it aside.
• Now take a kadai, add 3-4 tbsp oil, add musturd seeds, when it pops, add curry leaves,2 green chillies & saute for 1 min.
• Now add the cooked chana and mix well. 
• Take 1 tbsp corn flour mix in little of water, and add this to the chana mixture and saute for 2 mins, this gives it a thick consistency. Now add 5 tbsp of grated coconut and mix well