Seva Guide6 min read · Updated 8 Jul 2026
Tulsi is treated as a living presence rather than as a material. How a mala is held, worn and stored follows from that.
Wearing and holding
A kanthi is worn; a japa mala is held. Keeping the two separate is the oldest and simplest rule of handling, and it is the one worth learning first.
When chanting, the mala rests over the middle finger and the beads are moved with the thumb. The index finger is kept away from the beads.
Keeping it dry
Tulsi wood absorbs water and will darken and soften if it is repeatedly wet. Remove a japa mala before bathing, and let a kanthi dry in air rather than with heat.
Storing between use
Keep the mala in a cloth bag or a dedicated box rather than loose in a drawer. A gaumukhi bag also keeps the beads from knocking against each other.
