A visit to most Hindu houses in goa will lead you to see a Tulsi
Vrindavan setup at the main entrance or in the rajangan of the house. In the
early days Tulsi Vrindavan was made of terracotta and later of mud but today
these are beign built of cement. Designs however have remained almost the same
and traditional designs have been maintained including the use of bright colours.
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| Tulsi Vrindavan |
Tulsi
or tulas is the basil plant (ocimum sanctum) sacred to all Hindus and is grown
in homes and temples. Tulsi is sacred to Vishnu or to his consort Lakshmi, and
is worshiped as a deity. Many regard it as a metamorphosis of Sita, wife of
Rama; others identify this plant with Rukmini, wife of Krishna, while still
others hold it as an embodiment of all deities together. Tulsi Lagna or Tulshi Vivah marks the end of Diwali. Called “Vhadli Diwali”
in Goa it is one of the most important festivals of the state. No marriage
ceremony will be held among Goan Hindus before Tulsi Lagna as it does not enjoy
religious sanction.
Most of the big houses
have a courtyard called as Rajangan with a Tulasi Vrindavan in the middle. The
Rajangan or just Angan was a large space with internal court open to the sky;
roofs from all sides of the house drained into it.
This makes the installation of a Tulsi
Vrindavan in a hindu house ever more important as this is where Tulsi Lagna is celebrated. Also most other sacred practices and relogious functions also require that the Tulsi leaves from the houses Tulsi
Vrindavan are offered to the Goa
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