Why Worship Tulsi and Amla in Magha?

Service to Tulsi and Amla at a Glance

In the Sanatana tradition, both tulsi, holy basil and amla, the Indian gooseberry, are regarded as highly sacred plants linked with Lord Vishnu and Mother Lakshmi. Magha month, which is itself the month of Lord Madhava, the Lord of Lakshmi, is regarded as especially auspicious for serving both. The Puranic tradition says that poverty cannot remain in the home of a person who, every day after the morning bath, waters the tulsi, walks around it and lights a ghee lamp near it in the evening.

Element of Service	Tulsi	Amla
Related Deities	Lord Vishnu and Mother Lakshmi	Lord Vishnu and Mother Lakshmi
Morning Service	Offering water and circumambulation after bathing	Water and flowers at the roots
Evening Service	A ghee lamp	A lamp and circumambulation
Special Festivals	Ekadashi, Purnima and Tulsi Vivah	Amla Navami and Amalaki Ekadashi
Place in Vastu	East, north or northeast	A garden in the north or east of the home
Health Benefits	Immunity and respiratory health	Vitamin C, digestion and glow

The Basic Rules of Serving Tulsi and Amla

• Offer water to the tulsi only after the morning bath.
• Do not pluck tulsi leaves on Sunday, Ekadashi and Sankranti.
• In the evening, light a lamp of ghee or sesame oil near the tulsi.
• Offer water at the roots of the amla tree and walk around it.
• In the cold of Magha, take care to protect the tulsi plant from frost.

The Glory of Mother Tulsi

In the Sanatana tradition, tulsi is regarded not merely as a plant but as a form of the goddess. She is called Vrinda and Vishnupriya, the beloved of Vishnu. The worship of Lord Vishnu is regarded as incomplete without tulsi leaves. It is said that the home in whose courtyard the tulsi plant stays green becomes as sacred as a place of pilgrimage.

According to the Puranic story, Vrinda was a devoted wife and because of her faithfulness Lord Vishnu granted her the boon of remaining with him forever in the form of tulsi. In memory of this story, the festival of Tulsi Vivah is celebrated in Kartik month, in which tulsi is married to Lord Vishnu in the form of the Shaligram.

Service to tulsi has special importance in Magha month because this is the month of Lord Madhava. Offering tulsi leaves in the worship of Madhava and serving the tulsi plant are regarded as the simplest path to his grace.

The Daily Method of Serving Tulsi

Time	Practice
Morning	After bathing, offer water at the roots of the tulsi from a copper lota
Circumambulation	After offering water, walk around the plant 3 or 7 times
Mantra	While walking around, chant Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya or a tulsi salutation mantra
Adornment	On special days, offer kumkum, turmeric and a red cloth
Evening	Light a lamp of ghee or sesame oil near the tulsi
Prayer	Pray for the health and happiness of the family

In some traditions water is not offered to tulsi on Sunday and Ekadashi. It is proper to follow the tradition of one's own family and region.

The Importance of the Amla Tree

In Sanskrit, amla is called amalaki and dhatri. Dhatri means the one who nourishes like a mother. Tradition holds that both Lord Vishnu and Mother Lakshmi dwell in the amla tree. So the worship of amla is regarded as the combined worship of Vishnu and Lakshmi.

2 major festivals are linked with amla. Amla Navami or Akshaya Navami, is celebrated on Kartik Shukla Navami and the Amalaki Ekadashi fast is kept on Phalguna Shukla Ekadashi. Magha month lies between the 2 and tradition also regards service to amla in this month as highly meritorious. The tradition of cooking beneath the amla tree and eating with Brahmins and family is described as destroying all sins.

The Method of Amla Worship

• After the morning bath, go to the amla tree.
• Offer water, water mixed with milk or Gangajal at the roots.
• Offer turmeric, kumkum, rice grains and flowers to the tree.
• Walk around the tree while winding raw cotton thread or a sacred red thread around the trunk.
• Light a ghee lamp and remember Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi.
• If possible, eat a sattvic meal with the family beneath the tree.

The Place of Tulsi and Amla in Vastu

In Vastu Shastra, both tulsi and amla are regarded as auspicious for the home. Tradition holds that these plants, placed in the right direction, make the energy of the home positive and help to calm some Vastu faults.

Plant	Best Direction	Importance in Vastu
Tulsi	East, north or northeast	Sattvic energy and peace in the home
Amla	A garden in the north or east of the home	A symbol of prosperity and health

• It is advised to avoid planting tulsi in the southern part of the home.
• If a tulsi plant begins to dry, respectfully place it in flowing water or in the earth and plant a new one.
• The amla tree grows large, so plant it at a suitable distance from the walls of the home.
• Keep the area around both plants clean.

Vastu remedies help improve the atmosphere of the home but the real foundation of peace and happiness at home is the mutual love, cleanliness and good conduct of the family members.

The Blessing of Health

Both tulsi and amla are very important medicines in Ayurveda. In winter their importance grows even more.

• Tulsi: Ayurveda regards tulsi as beneficial for colds, coughs and Kapha ailments. A decoction of tulsi gives the body warmth and immunity in the cold of Magha.
• Amla: Amla is a rich source of vitamin C. It boosts immunity, improves digestion and nourishes the skin and hair.
• Triphala: Amla is a main ingredient of Triphala, which is famous for cleansing the digestive system.
• Atmosphere: The tulsi plant brings freshness to the atmosphere of the home.

Tulsi and amla should be used medicinally in limited amounts according to one's constitution and health. In any illness, a doctor's advice must be taken.

Protecting Tulsi in the Cold of Magha

The bitter cold and frost of Magha month can harm the tulsi plant. True service means not only worship but also protecting the plant.

• At night, cover the tulsi plant with a light cloth or cover.
• Give less water in the cold, because too much water can rot the roots.
• Keep the plant in a place where it gets sunlight during the day.
• Keep respectfully removing dry and yellow leaves.

Tulsi and Amla Through the Lens of Vedic Astrology

In astrology, Lord Vishnu is regarded as the presiding deity of Jupiter and Mother Lakshmi is linked with Venus. Service to tulsi and amla is regarded as increasing the results of both these benefic planets. Tulsi is also linked with Mercury, because the colour green and medicinal qualities fall within Mercury's significations.

Goal	Related Planet	Remedy
Happiness and prosperity at home	Venus	A ghee lamp near the tulsi in the evening
The grace of the guru and fortune	Jupiter	Water and turmeric to the amla tree on Thursday
Health	The Sun and Mercury	Daily service to tulsi and eating amla
Family peace	Moon	Walking around the tulsi and worshipping with the family

What Should Be Done and Avoided in Serving Tulsi and Amla?

Do	Do Not
Offer water to tulsi only after bathing	Do not touch tulsi without bathing
Light a lamp near tulsi in the evening	Do not pluck tulsi leaves on Sunday and Ekadashi
Protect tulsi from frost in the cold	Do not harm the plant by overwatering
Walk around the amla tree	Do not cut down the amla tree without reason
Use tulsi and amla medicinally in limited amounts	Do not take too much without advice

Lakshmi Dwelling in the Greenery of the Courtyard

Tulsi and amla are sacred plants that grow in the courtyard but their effect reaches the atmosphere of the whole home and the minds of the family. Watering the tulsi every morning and lighting a lamp in the evening binds the family in a beautiful discipline. This very discipline slowly brings peace, health and prosperity into the home.

For the family that serves tulsi and amla with faith in Magha month, the combined grace of Lord Vishnu and Mother Lakshmi remains in the home. A courtyard full of greenery and an evening lit by a lamp become the greatest wealth of that home.

FAQ

What is the importance of tulsi worship in Magha month? Magha is the month of Lord Madhava and tulsi is Vishnupriya. Offering water, circumambulation and an evening lamp to tulsi in this month is believed to remove poverty.

Who is believed to dwell in the amla tree? Tradition holds that both Lord Vishnu and Mother Lakshmi dwell in the amla tree, so its worship is the combined worship of both.

In which direction should the tulsi plant be placed? According to Vastu, placing tulsi in the east, north or northeast of the home is regarded as auspicious. It is advised to avoid the southern part.

On which days should tulsi leaves not be plucked? According to tradition, tulsi leaves should not be plucked on Sunday, Ekadashi, Dwadashi and Sankranti. Pluck leaves for worship a day earlier.

How can tulsi be protected in the cold of Magha? Cover the plant lightly at night, give less water, let it get sunlight in the day and keep respectfully removing dry leaves.