108 Beads Tulsi Mala

• Beads — 108
• Bead diameter — 7 mm
• Material — pure tulsi wood, uncoated and untreated
• Strung in — Vrindavan
• Thread — cotton, knotted between beads
• Length — approximately 80 cm in circumference, sitting comfortably in a triple loop
• Tassel — saffron cotton
• Includes — certificate of authenticity

Hold the mala in your right hand, draped over the middle finger, and draw each bead towards you with your thumb. The index finger stays clear of the mala.

Chant your mantra once per bead. One full round is 108 repetitions — for the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, roughly seven to ten minutes at a steady pace.

When you complete a round, turn the mala and begin again in the opposite direction rather than continuing past your starting bead.

Keep the mala dry. Tulsi is porous, and water dulls the grain over time.

Do not wash it with soap, oil or polish it, or leave it in direct sun. Tulsi darkens naturally with handling, and that is the only finish it needs.

Store it in your puja space rather than loose in a bag, where the beads can knock against each other.

Tulsi is considered the most sacred plant in Vaishnavism. Wearing or chanting with a Tulsi Mala is believed to purify the mind, protect the wearer, attract divine blessings, and deepen one's devotion to Lord Krishna. It is ideal for daily japa of mantras such as the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

• Daily japa and mantra meditation
• Devotees of Lord Krishna and Vishnu
• A spiritually meaningful gift for loved ones
• Pilgrims and seekers of Vrindavan's blessings

Is this real tulsi, or coated wood?
Pure tulsi, uncoated and untreated. Real tulsi shows visible grain and slight variation between beads, and carries a faint woody scent when warmed in the hand. Perfectly uniform, glossy beads are usually coated. Our guide to identifying an original tulsi mala sets out six checks you can run yourself, including the one test most guides get wrong.

Can anyone wear a tulsi mala?
Yes. There is no restriction by caste, gender or initiation. Tulsi is offered freely.

Should I wear it, or keep it only for japa?
Either. Many devotees wear it constantly; others keep a separate mala for chanting so it stays clean.

What does "offered" actually mean here?
The mala is physically carried into the temple and offered to the deity, then blessed by the priests there before it is packed. It is not blessed remotely or in a warehouse. You can read the full process on the How Our Offerings Work page.

Can the mala be offered in my own name?
Yes. Choose "Offered in your name" above and give the name when you register. That name, with your gotra if you give one, is taken in the sankalp before the offering is made and printed on your certificate. The alternative, "Ready now", was offered at an earlier batch and ships in two to three days.

How long does the mala last?
Kept dry and stored well, tulsi wood lasts for years of daily use. The beads darken and take on a polish with handling, which many devotees consider a mark of a well-used mala rather than wear.