Tulsi Beads Jap Mala

A general reference for malas. Loop length depends on bead size and stringing, and an exact measurement is not listed for every piece.

Traditional bead count

108 beads, plus one guru (sumeru) bead

Common bead sizes

6 mm, 8 mm and 10 mm

Approx. loop (8 mm beads)

≈ 80–90 cm / 32–35 in around

Worn as

a necklace, or wrapped a few times at the wrist

A full japa mala is counted for practice; a wrist mala is a shorter loop of the same beads. Natural beads differ slightly in size, so the finished length varies a little piece to piece.

Holy basil is revered in Hinduism as a manifestation of the goddess Tulsi, closely tied to Lakshmi, and is especially sacred to Vaishnavites; Krishna is traditionally described as wearing a garland of holy basil leaves. The plant is grown in many Hindu households and temples, and the annual Tulsi Vivah festival ceremonially weds the plant to Vishnu. Described here as tradition, not as a guaranteed effect.

Wood of the sacred Ocimum tenuiflorum (holy basil) plant, worn as beads chiefly by Vaishnava devotees. Natural beads vary in colour and grain and may deepen with wear — a mark of a real bead, not a fault.

Japa (from the Sanskrit root meaning 'to utter in a low voice' or 'to repeat') is the practice of repeating a mantra a set number of times, aloud, in a whisper, or silently in the mind. A japa mala is the bead strand used to keep count during this practice: the practitioner drapes it over the middle finger of one hand and draws each bead toward themself with the thumb after each repetition, moving around the loop one bead at a time. Used by meditators and devotees during seated practice, typically held in the hand rather than worn continuously; open to any practitioner regardless of age or gender.

Keep away from water, perfume and harsh chemicals. Wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth and store flat, away from direct sunlight. Rudraksha and other natural beads may deepen in tone with wear — this is expected, and part of how a piece becomes yours.