How to wear rudraksha: the right day, mantra and rules
Quick answer: By tradition, rudraksha is worn for the first time on a Monday, on Mahashivratri or during the month of Shravan. Wash the bead in clean water or Ganga jal, place it before Lord Shiva, chant 'Om Namah Shivaya' 108 times, and then wear it around the neck or wrist on a red or yellow thread, or in silver or gold. The five-faced (panchmukhi) rudraksha is the most common and is considered suitable for everyone.
At a glance
- Best day
- Monday, Mahashivratri or Shravan
- Mantra
- Om Namah Shivaya, 108 times
- Thread
- Red or yellow thread, or silver/gold
- Most common
- Panchmukhi (5 mukhi)
- Deity
- Lord Shiva
What is rudraksha
Rudraksha is the dried seed of the Elaeocarpus tree, which grows in the Himalayan foothills, Nepal and Indonesia. The name means 'eye of Rudra (Shiva)', and it is also called 'Shiva's tears'. The natural lines on a bead are called mukhis (faces); a bead can have from 1 to 21 mukhis.
How to wear rudraksha, step by step
- Choose a Monday morning, or Mahashivratri or a day in the month of Shravan.
- Bathe and sit before a picture of Lord Shiva or a Shivling.
- Wash the rudraksha in clean water or Ganga jal. Many families also dip it in raw milk and then rinse it.
- Offer it at the Shivling or before Lord Shiva with flowers and a lamp.
- Hold it and chant 'Om Namah Shivaya' 108 times (you can count with our chanting counter).
- Wear it around your neck or right wrist so that it touches your skin.
Mukhis and their deities (popular tradition)
- 1 mukhi: Lord Shiva
- 2 mukhi: Ardhanarishvara (Shiva and Parvati)
- 3 mukhi: Agni
- 4 mukhi: Brahma
- 5 mukhi: Kalagni Rudra (a form of Shiva)
- 6 mukhi: Kartikeya
- 7 mukhi: Mahalakshmi
- 8 mukhi: Ganesha
- 9 mukhi: Durga
- 10 mukhi: Vishnu
- 11 mukhi: Hanuman (the eleven Rudras)
- 12 mukhi: Surya
- 13 mukhi: Kamadeva / Indra
- 14 mukhi: Shiva (also linked with Hanuman)
Do
- Keep it clean; now and then, wash it in plain water and let it dry.
- Say 'Om Namah Shivaya' when you put it on each morning.
- When you are not wearing it, keep it in a clean place such as your puja box.
- Buy only from a trusted seller, and ask for a lab certificate for an expensive bead.
Don't (common rules; families differ)
- Many people take it off at night before sleeping, and before intimacy.
- Many people take it off before visiting a cremation ground or a funeral.
- Keep soap and chemicals off the bead; take it off when bathing with soap.
- Don't lend your rudraksha to someone else to wear.
- Many people avoid meat and alcohol while wearing it.
How to tell if a rudraksha is real
Home tests such as floating it in water or spinning it between two coins are not reliable. The surest check is an X-ray or certificate from a gem-testing lab, which shows that the number of seed chambers inside matches the number of mukhis.
These are traditional customs and differ between families and gurus. KathaMantra makes no claims that rudraksha cures illness or brings specific results.
Frequently asked questions
Which day is best to wear rudraksha?
Monday is traditionally considered the best day. Mahashivratri and the month of Shravan are also considered very auspicious.
Which mantra should I chant when wearing rudraksha?
Chanting 'Om Namah Shivaya' 108 times is the most common practice. You can also say it each morning when you put the rudraksha on.
Which rudraksha is good for beginners?
The five-faced (panchmukhi) rudraksha is the most common and is considered suitable for everyone.
Can I sleep with rudraksha on?
Many people take it off before sleeping and keep it at the home shrine; others keep it on. Taking it off at night also helps the thread last longer.
Can women wear rudraksha?
Yes, many women wear rudraksha. Some families ask women to take it off during menstruation and others do not; follow your family's practice.
How do I know if a rudraksha is real?
Home tests are not reliable. An X-ray or certificate from a gem-testing lab is the surest way.