In Hinduism, it is regarded as an earthly manifestation of the Goddess Lakshmi. She is the great worshipper of Lord Vishnu. The offering of its leaves is mandatory in ritualistic worship of Lord Vishnu and his forms like Lord Krishna and Lord Vithoba. While worshiping trees is not uncommon in Hinduism, the Tulsi plant is considered the holiest of all plants. The Tulsi plant is regarded as a threshold point between heaven and earth.

According to the Devi Bhagavata Purana, Tulsi is a manifestation of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and principal consort of Vishnu. A feud between her and Goddess Saraswati arose because Saraswati was angry at her. Goddess Saraswati cursed Goddess Lakshmi to be born on earth. As Goddess Ganga tried solving the feud, Goddess Lakshmi, and Goddess Ganga cursed each other become rivers on earth. However, Lord Vishnu assured Goddess Lakshmi that she would be born as Tulsi.

A person who waters and cares for the Tulsi daily is believed to gain moksha (salvation) and the divine grace of Vishnu, even if he does not worship it. Traditionally, the daily worship and care of the plant are the responsibility of the women of the household. The plant is regarded as a "women's deity" and a "symbol of ideal wifehood and motherhood". Though daily worship is prescribed, Tuesdays and Fridays are considered especially sacred for Tulsi worship.

Every part of the Tulsi plant is revered and considered sacred. Even the soil around the plant is holy. The Padma Purana declares a person who is cremated with Tulsi twigs in his funeral pyre gains moksha and a place in Vishnu's abode Vaikuntha. If a Tulsi stick is used to burn a lamp for Vishnu, it is like offering the gods lakhs of lamps.