The 'tulsi' or holy basil is an important symbol in the Hindu religious tradition and is worshipped in the morning and evening by Hindus at large. A Hindu household is considered incomplete without a tulsi plant in the courtyard. Vaishnavites or believers of Lord Vishnu wear beaded necklaces made of tulsi stems. Apart from its religious significance, the tulsi is also an ayurvedic remedy for a number of common ailments.

Illustration © Subhamoy Das