Buddha Groove’s traditional sandalwood mala adds a soothing sensory element to your practice with its uplifting scent. Sandalwood is considered sacred in Ayurvedic text and is has been used in various ceremonies to calm the mind. Be still as you slowly move through the mala’s 108 beads. An additional guru bead indicates when you’ve completed one round of counting. Beads are 7-8 mm. Handmade by artisans in Nepal.
- Traditional sandalwood meditation mala
- 108 sandalwood beads, additional guru bead
- Beads measures about 7-8 mm each
- Bead string: Knotted
- Handmade in Nepal
Handcrafted: this item was artistically created by hand where beauty and imperfections go together wonderfully. Please accept and appreciate minor imperfections and variations which are true characteristics of this craft.
design: A traditional 108-bead mala of round sandalwood beads, hand-knotted on vivid blue cord and finished with a larger sandalwood guru bead and blue braided tassel closure.
size: Beads measure approximately 7-8 mm each; 108 beads plus one guru bead, sized to wrap several times around the wrist or worn as a long necklace.
material: Sandalwood beads, knotted cord
features: 108 beads for full mantra counting, guru bead marks each completed round, individually knotted cord, natural sandalwood fragrance, adjustable sliding-knot closure
care: Keep beads away from water and perfume, and store in a soft pouch to preserve the wood's natural fragrance and finish.
disclaimer: Each mala is handmade by artisans in Nepal, so slight variations in bead color, grain, and knotting are natural and part of its character.
Meaning & Intention
The mala has long served as a counting tool for mantra and breath in meditation, its 108 beads corresponding to a number held sacred across Vedic and Buddhist traditions. Moving bead by bead through the strand encourages the mind to settle into rhythm, turning repetition into a quiet anchor for attention.
Sandalwood carries its own layer of meaning. Revered in Ayurvedic tradition as a sacred wood, it has been burned and worn in ceremony for centuries to cool the senses and calm the mind. Its warm, woody scent releases gently with handling, so the mala becomes part fragrance, part focus, aiding practice as it's touched.
The single guru bead marks completion, a small threshold reminding the practitioner that a full cycle of repetition has closed. In many traditions this bead is treated with particular respect, symbolizing the teacher or the wisdom that guides the practice itself.
Worn on the wrist wrapped several times or kept nearby for seated practice, this mala becomes a daily companion for meditation, prayer, or simply a pause in a busy day. Its sandalwood scent offers a small sensory cue to slow down, while the familiar weight of the beads in hand makes returning to the breath easier each time.
Essence & Elements
- Ideal For: Meditators, yoga practitioners, and anyone building a mantra or mindfulness practice
- Purpose: Mantra counting, meditation, prayer, mindfulness practice, yoga accessory
- Suggested Mantra: Om Mani Padme Hum
- Intention: Calm, Balance, Focus, Grounding
Questions & Guidance
How many beads does this mala have?
It has the traditional 108 sandalwood beads plus one additional guru bead used to mark the completion of a full round.
What size are the beads?
Each sandalwood bead measures approximately 7-8 mm.
Can this mala be worn as a bracelet?
Yes, the knotted strand can be wrapped several times around the wrist or worn long as a necklace during practice.
Will the beads always look identical?
No, because it's handmade in Nepal from natural sandalwood, slight variations in grain and tone are normal and part of its handcrafted character.
Does the mala have a scent?
Yes, sandalwood has a naturally soft, woody fragrance that lingers gently on the beads as they're handled.
