Japa Malas & Spiritual Jewellery
Prayer beads for counting mantras and devotional jewellery for everyday wear, in tulsi, sandalwood, sphatik, lotus seed and other traditional materials.
Tulsi Malas
Tulsi wood japa malas and kanthi malas for Vaishnava devotees, in round and drum-shaped beads, fo…
Sandalwood Malas
White and red sandalwood japa malas, smooth to hold and lightly scented, for mantra chanting, med…
Sphatik Malas
Sphatik or clear quartz crystal malas, in smooth and faceted beads, used for japa in Shiva and De…
Other Japa Beads
Japa malas in lotus seed, vaijanti, haldi, karungali, rakta chandan, coral and other traditional…
Bracelets
Rudraksha, tulsi, sandalwood, sphatik, karungali and gemstone bead bracelets for wearing a remind…
Devotional Pendants
Small Om, Ganesha, Hanuman, Shiva, Krishna, Sai Baba and trishul pendants in silver, brass, panch…
A mala is a working tool before it is an ornament. Traditionally it carries 108 beads plus a guru bead, the sumeru, and the thumb moves from bead to bead as the mantra is repeated. Japa malas and spiritual jewellery bring together these counting beads and the bracelets and pendants that people wear to keep their faith close through the day.
The material usually follows the deity. Vaishnavas, including many ISKCON devotees, chant on tulsi wood, sandalwood malas are loved for their gentle scent, and clear sphatik is often associated with worship of Shiva and of Devi. Lotus seed, red sandalwood, vaijanti and other seeds and woods are used in their own traditions.
Wearable pieces are lighter and simpler. Bead bracelets slip on without a clasp, while pendants show a deity, an Om or a sacred symbol on a chain or thread. They suit office wear and travel, when a full mala would be out of place.
Look at bead size and finish when choosing. Small beads suit a mala carried in a gomukhi bag, larger beads give the fingers more grip. Knots between beads stop them rubbing and make re-stringing easier later.
Keep japa malas in their own pouches, away from perfume and water, and avoid lending them out, as many traditions treat a chanting mala as personal.