Sandalwood Malas
White and red sandalwood japa malas, smooth to hold and lightly scented, for mantra chanting, meditation and devotional wear.
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Hold one near your face and you will understand the appeal. Sandalwood malas carry a soft, woody fragrance that many people find calming during japa, and the beads are smooth and pleasantly warm to the fingers.
Two kinds are common. White or pale chandan malas are linked with many deities and are popular for meditation and general chanting. Red sandalwood, or rakta chandan, is a different, denser wood, traditionally associated with Devi, Ganesha and Hanuman worship and with some Jyotish practices. Bead sizes range from fine 6 mm strings to chunky beads for long japa sessions, and many malas use 108 beads with a tassel at the guru bead.
Since the scent of sandalwood can be added by oil, smell and look at the grain together, and ask about the wood if it matters to you. Natural fragrance fades slowly; keep sandalwood malas in a closed wooden box or cloth pouch to hold it longer, and avoid perfume sprays that mask the original smell.