Why tulsi is not offered to Goddess Durga during Navratri, as per belief

As soon as Navratri begins, the ghat is installed in homes and the Goddess is worshipped. Devotees offer her garlands, flowers and naivedya, every item she is held to like. One thing, however, is never offered: tulsi. In Hinduism, tulsi is regarded as the most sacred plant. Most homes have a tulsi plant that is worshipped daily. Many people wonder why this sacred plant is not offered to Goddess Durga. There is both a religious legend and a scriptural rule behind it.

The first legend concerns the slaying of Shankhachud. The Puranas say that Tulsi was married to an asura named Shankhachud. He was no ordinary demon but a very powerful one, and even the gods found it hard to defeat him. In the end, it was Goddess Durga who killed him. Because Durga was the goddess who slew her husband, Tulsi was left with resentment towards her. It is believed that Tulsi is angry with Durga, which is why tulsi never goes near the Goddess. This sentiment is observed even today.

The second explanation relates to the separate traditions of Vishnu and Shiva. Tulsi is regarded as the wife of Vishnu and is also called Vishnupriya or Vaishnavi. For this reason, tulsi is always used where Vishnu is worshipped, such as in the worship of Vitthal, Krishna and Ram.

Goddess Durga is Shakti and is associated with the Shaiva tradition. Shaiva and Vaishnava are two distinct traditions. Tulsi, being regarded as Vaishnava, is therefore not used in the worship of Shakti. Just as tulsi is not offered to Mahadev, it is not offered to Goddess Durga either. Tulsi is also not offered to Ganapati, Shani Dev and Bhairav.

There is also a story of a curse. Some texts say that Tulsi once cursed Goddess Durga, saying that she would never be used in her worship. This is why tulsi became forbidden in Durga puja in the tradition.

According to the scriptures, there are certain rules for worshipping Shakti. Anything that has been associated with an asura is not offered to the Goddess. Tulsi came to be associated with the asura Shankhachud, so while it is not impure, it is not considered fit for the Goddess's worship. This is why marigold, rose, lotus and hibiscus flowers are offered to the Goddess during Navratri, while a tulsi leaf is not placed before her even by mistake.

Devotees should keep this in mind while worshipping this Navratri: keep tulsi for Vishnu and use other sacred flowers for the Goddess.