Maha Mala
Maha Mala is a small company based in New Delhi, India which specialises in making health and wellness jewelry in the form of 108 bead necklaces, these necklaces can be used for japa (chanting with a mantra) or as jewelry. The term Maha Mala actually stems from two sanskrit words; Maha meaning ‘the great’ and Mala meaning ‘garland’, together our name stand for ‘the great garland’ (or necklace).
Maha Mala started out as an idea to create sacred healing objects for use in personal rituals. This manifested into the stringing and restringing of Malas back in 2009.
Sadhu wearing malas
Traditionally in India, a Mala (garland/necklace) is used as a tool in meditation and mantra practice (reciting of traditional prayers). Historically traditional beads such as Rudraksha, Tulsi or Sandalwood are in Malas, each having their own specific metaphysical and mythological properties. Maha Mala adds a new twist to this historical tradition; we have included the use of semi-precious stones with the belief that these stones have specific resonant qualities that can affect the wearer whether you use the Mala as jewelry or for japa.
Each Mala contains 108 beads. 108 being a sacred number in Hinduism, relating to the numerlogical and astrological ancient wisdom (read more here on the number 108). Each mala also has a tassel, a head bead (called the guru or sumeru bead) and sometimes a pendant. This allows for you to either wear the mala with the tassel forwards or with the pendant forward depending on how you feel.
The Malas are designed by Nora Wendel and Piya Jain, the stones and silver are hand sourced from Jaipur, Northern India for their quality and lustre. Each mala is hand strung using extra grade wire for durability and suppleness.
Ahimsa Silks
Ahimsa Silk yarns
The backbone of Maha Mala is the yogic principle of ‘Ahimsa’ or non- violence towards others, hence each of our tassels found in our Malas are made from Ahimsa silk, silk which is farmed by not killing the silkworm. Maha Mala collaborates with Avani Kumaon, for the procurement of our Ahimsa silk. Avani is a voluntary organisation based in Uttarkhand which supports local communities to make sustainable contributions to society. Maha Mala also soucres Ahimsa silk for their beautiful soft tassels from Designer Weaves in Hyderabad.
Maha Mala also supports local charities and foundations in and around Delhi, at the moment our fabric pouches are made from Khadi (organic cotton) which is earth dyed and sewn by the Ek Tara Foundation. Ek Tara is a foundation which provides vocational skills to underprivileged young women in delhi.