In the endless traditions, beliefs, and rituals that Hindus follow, offerings are a big part of it all. Offering food, flowers, coins, and much more, people offer things to the Gods in hopes of receiving blessings of wealth, prosperity, good health, and much more. Maa Durga is offered Hibiscus flowers, Lord Shiva is offered Bel patra, Lord Krishna is offered Makhan-Mishri, Lord Ganesha is offered Modaks, Lord Hanuman is offered Boondi, and so on.
But in between the ‘what to offer’ debate, there is also a ‘what not to offer’ factor. And not many know that one should never offer Tulsi leaves to Shiv Pariwar, or the family of Lord Shiva.

Worshipping Lord Shiva

Lord Shiva is one of the most beloved deities in Hinduism. He is compassionate but also fierce, he is a devoted husband but also just, and overall, he is one who can transform the world and create everything from scratch when evil energies take over. Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of idols, pictures, Shivlings, and more, and he is offered Bel patra, milk, honey, water, and even sugarcane juice.
And this makes people wonder if we can offer him juice, why not Tulsi leaves?

Lord Ganesha

Another beloved deity is Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati’s son, and the one who fancies modaks and removes all obstacles from the path of his devotees. He is prayed to before any other God and his name is invoked before any pujas or positive work.
But even to Lord Ganesha, Tulsi leaves are not offered.

The sacred Tulsi

In Hinduism, Tulsi is given the respect of a Goddess and is known as ‘Maa Tulsi’. It is believed that Tulsi is a form of Maa Lakshmi, and in a home where a healthy Tulsi plant grows, money and finances are never in a deficit. It is also said that offering Tulsi leaves to Lord Vishnu gives people spiritual connections and blessings.
Plus as everyone knows, Tulsi is also used for its medicinal properties, and people drink Tulsi tea or consume the leaves to get rid of ailments.

Lord Shiva vs Jalandhar

One of the biggest reasons why Tulsi leaves are not offered to Lord Shiva or his family is a story that dates back ‘Yugas’.
It is believed that there was once a demon king named Jalandhar and he had an extremely devoted wife by the name of Vrinda. Due to Vrinda’s unwavering devotion, Jalandhar was invincible, and no god or warrior could defeat him. But as his tyranny increased, Lord Vishnu had to do something. And so, he took on Jalandhar’s avatar and tricked Vrinda, which led to breaking of her devotion towards Jalandhar. And just when Jalandhar lost the divine protection, he was slain by Lord Shiva.
And it is said that when Vrinda realised this deception, she cursed Lord Vishnu to suffer separation from his wife, which happened during the Ramayan, and cursed Lord Shiva that no part of her would ever worship him.
And thus, even today, Lord Shiva is not offered Tulsi leaves.

The curse on Lord Ganesha

The reason why Tulsi leaves are never offered to Lord Ganesha goes back to when she first saw Lord Ganesha, in deep meditation, and liked him. It is believed that she became enchanted with him and proposed for their marriage. But as Lord Ganesha was practicing celibacy, he refused, and angered her.
And thus it is said that Tulsi cursed Lord Ganesha that he would have not 1 but 2 wives, something he did not want, and Lord Ganesha then cursed her back that she would have to marry a demon.
Ever since then, Tulsi leaves are not offered to Lord Shiva or Lord Ganesha.