Kanthi mala

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A kanthi mala, or kanthi, is a necklace of beads made from the tulsi plant (holy basil). Some Hindus wear it on a string, and in Gaudiya Vaishnavism the tulsi beads are common; many followers receive their kanthi from their guru during initiation. Krishna is closely linked to tulsi, and Tulasi Devi is seen as Krishna’s devoted helper who protects his followers, so many Gaudiya Vaishnavas do not remove their tulsi kanthi. Shaivites wear malas made from rudraksha seeds, and the word rudraksha means “eye of Rudra.” Kanthi malas are also worn by followers of the Swaminarayan tradition and the Kabir panth. Swaminarayan taught a double-stranded tulsi kanthi symbolizing Radha–Krishna, while Kabir taught a triple-stranded kanthi symbolizing Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, with one large bead (tulsi or rudraksha) for Satya Purusha, the supreme within.