Japamala facts for kids

A Japamala or mala (Sanskrit:माला; mālā, meaning 'garland') is a string of prayer beads commonly used in Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and other traditions for the spiritual practice known in Sanskrit as japa. They are similar to other forms of prayer beads used in various world religions and sometimes referred to in English as a "rosary".

The main body of a mala is usually 108 beads, though other numbers are also used. In addition, there is often a 109th bead (often of a distinctive size or colour) and/or tassle and sometimes there are additional beads which may be decorative or used for counting rounds. Malas are used for keeping count while reciting, chanting, or mentally repeating a mantra or the name or names of a deity.

Images for kids

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  Portrait of Sawai Madho Singh counting beads on a pearl and ruby mala; Jaipur, c. 1750

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  Statue of Shiva at Murudeshwara; Shiva is frequently depicted wearing a pair of rudraksha malas in Shaiva Hindu iconography

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  Chinese Buddhist 18-bead wooden mala

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  Sculpture of a Jain sadhvi hold a japamala

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  Japamala made with Brazilian açaí seeds

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  Buddhist prayer beads at a Jodo Shin shop