How to wear a tulsi mala (kanthi) and what rules to follow
Quick answer: A tulsi mala is made of beads carved from the wood of the holy basil plant. Vaishnav devotees wear it around the neck as a sign of devotion to Lord Vishnu or Shri Krishna. It is put on after bathing, once it has been offered to the Lord with his name. Wearers usually keep a sattvic diet and avoid meat, alcohol and intoxicants. In many traditions it is received from a guru at initiation.
At a glance
- Deity
- Lord Vishnu, Shri Krishna, Shri Ram
- Where worn
- Around the neck (kanthi), often in two or three strands
- Good days
- Ekadashi, Thursday, Janmashtami or any auspicious day
- Chant
- Hare Krishna mahamantra or Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
Neck kanthi vs japa mala
The small-bead mala worn around the neck is called a 'kanthi'. A japa mala, with 108 beads, is a separate mala used for chanting. It is usually not worn but kept in a cloth bag (gomukhi). Both can be made of tulsi, but they are used differently.
How to wear the tulsi mala, step by step
- Choose an auspicious day such as Ekadashi or a Thursday, or ask your guru for a day.
- Bathe in the morning and wear clean clothes.
- Wash the mala in Ganga jal or clean water (many families also use panchgavya or milk) and let it dry.
- Offer it before an image of Lord Vishnu or Shri Krishna with flowers, incense and a lamp.
- Pray while saying the Lord's name, then put the mala on. Many devotees receive it from a guru or temple priest.
Do
- Eat simple vegetarian (sattvic) food.
- Chant the Lord's name for some time every day.
- Keep the mala clean, and restring it if the thread becomes weak.
- If the mala breaks, collect the beads respectfully and wear a new one; old beads can be placed in flowing water or in the soil of a plant.
Don't (common rules; families differ)
- Do not eat meat, fish or eggs, or take alcohol or any intoxicant while wearing it.
- Many Vaishnavs also avoid onion and garlic.
- Don't treat the mala as a fashion accessory.
- In many traditions the kanthi is never taken off, even while sleeping or bathing; some families ask you to remove it in states of impurity. Follow your own tradition.
These are traditional customs and differ between sampradayas, families and gurus. KathaMantra makes no claim that a tulsi mala brings specific results or cures.
Frequently asked questions
Which day should I wear a tulsi mala?
Days such as Ekadashi, Thursday or Janmashtami are considered auspicious. If you receive it at initiation, that day is the one that counts.
Can I eat non-veg while wearing a tulsi mala?
Traditionally, no. Those who wear a tulsi mala avoid meat, fish, eggs and alcohol. If you cannot keep this, it is considered more respectful not to wear one.
Can women wear a tulsi mala?
Yes, many women wear one. Rules about menstruation differ between families; follow your own tradition.
Can I sleep wearing a tulsi mala?
Yes, a neck kanthi is usually worn at all times. A japa mala is not worn to bed; it is kept in its bag.
How can I tell a real tulsi mala?
Real tulsi beads are light and show wood grain. Buying from a trusted temple shop or seller is the best way to be sure.