In short: GemKrishna's Custom Rudraksha Mala/Kantha Builder lets you design your own Rudraksha mala online. A full 108-bead jaap mala or a kantha with 5 Mukhi base beads is ₹2,999; a 54-bead mala is half that, and a 27-bead hand jaap mala half again, from ₹749. Pick your base Rudraksha, add premium Rudraksha from 1 to 21 Mukhi (Nepal, Indonesia or India), choose your Sumeru, how it's strung, and a tassel or a 925 silver pendant, and watch your mala take shape on screen as you go. Every premium bead is natural and comes with its own GJSPC lab report and X-ray. Hand jaap malas are made within 1 to 2 days; other malas within 7 days.
Design your mala here: GemKrishna Custom Rudraksha Mala/Kantha Builder
What is the Custom Rudraksha Mala/Kantha Builder?
It is an online tool on gemkrishna.com where you design a Rudraksha mala one choice at a time, with a live preview of your mala and the total price shown before you add it to your cart. It works like our Custom Rudraksha Bracelet Builder, where you pick each lab-tested Rudraksha and see your bracelet take shape on screen before you pay.
A traditional mala-maker asks you many questions before stringing a mala: how many beads, which Rudraksha, which Sumeru, knotted or capped, a tassel or a pendant. We built the builder to cover each of those choices, so the mala you receive is the one you had in mind. For anything it doesn't offer, we make it for you on WhatsApp.
Jaap mala or kantha: what's the difference?
- Jaap mala (japa mala): made for counting mantras. A full jaap mala has 108 beads plus one Sumeru (guru bead), and is traditionally knotted between beads.
- Kantha: a Rudraksha mala made to be worn around the neck. We make it to the length you choose, usually with slightly larger beads, and it can carry a 925 silver pendant.
How to build your mala, step by step
- Choose your mala: hand jaap mala (27+1, wrapped on the wrist or held for daily jaap), jaap mala of 54+1, full jaap mala of 108+1, or kantha mala.
- Bead size and length: base beads of 6, 8 or 10 mm. Jaap malas are usually 6 to 8 mm; kanthas usually 8 to 10 mm. For a kantha you also choose the length, from 18 inches (close to the neck) to 36 inches (long); most people choose 24 to 30 inches.
- Choose your Rudraksha: base beads of 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 Mukhi, or any two alternating. Then, if you like, add premium Rudraksha from 1 to 21 Mukhi from Nepal, Indonesia (Java) or India at their own price; each takes the place of a base bead. You can also add spacers and charms.
- Your Sumeru: a matching Sumeru (a larger bead of your base Rudraksha) is free, or choose a premium Sumeru such as 5 Mukhi Nepal, Gauri Shankar, Ganesh Rudraksha, 1 Mukhi or 11 Mukhi.
- How we make it: knotted thread or plain thread (free, in red, yellow, saffron, white or black), German silver, 925 silver capping on every bead, 925 silver capping on your premium beads only, or 925 silver wire with capping.
- Tassel or pendant: a free tassel in your thread colour, nothing, or a 925 silver god pendant.
- Finishing touches: basic energisation is free, and you can choose a full Pooja or Pran Pratishtha. You can also add GJSPC's premium A4 lab report with X-ray, and leave a note for our karigars, for example "Gauri Shankar next to the Sumeru".
What a custom Rudraksha mala costs
The price of the mala itself depends on the mala type and the base Rudraksha you choose:
| Base beads | 108+1 jaap mala or kantha | 54+1 jaap mala | 27+1 hand jaap mala |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Mukhi | ₹2,999 | ₹1,499 | ₹749 |
| 3, 4 or 6 Mukhi, or any two combined | ₹3,499 | ₹1,749 | ₹875 |
| 7 Mukhi | ₹3,999 | ₹1,999 | ₹999 |
Added at their own price:
| Choice | Price |
|---|---|
| Premium Rudraksha | The same price per bead as in our bracelet builder, whatever the mala |
| Thread, tassel and matching Sumeru | Free |
| German silver | ₹1,499 (27+1) to ₹3,999 (108+1 or kantha) |
| 925 silver capping on every bead | ₹3,000 (27+1) to ₹8,000 (108+1 or kantha) |
| 925 silver capping on premium beads | Priced per bead |
| 925 silver wire with capping | Confirmed after your order, at that day's silver rate |
| GJSPC premium A4 lab report with X-ray | Optional, ₹1,499 |
The builder adds everything up as you choose, so you see the total before you order. Prices can change; the builder always shows the current price.
What is a Sumeru, and why does it matter?
The Sumeru, also called the guru bead or meru, is the bead where your jaap begins and ends. By tradition it is never crossed: when you reach it, you turn the mala and count back the other way. Because you touch it at the start and end of every round, many people choose a special bead for it, such as a Gauri Shankar or a higher-mukhi Rudraksha.
How GemKrishna makes your mala
- Bead selection: we hand-pick each bead from our own stock. GemKrishna is a wholesaler as well as a retailer and sources directly, without middlemen.
- Lab testing: every premium Rudraksha you add is X-rayed and tested by GJSPC Laboratory, an independent lab in New Delhi, and comes with its own report stating its origin, for example Java, Indonesia. You can also add GJSPC's premium A4 report with X-ray.
- Made by hand: our karigars string and knot every mala by hand. Hand jaap malas are made within 1 to 2 days; 54 and 108 bead malas, kanthas and detailed designs within 7 days.
- Cleansing and energisation: every mala is cleansed and given basic energisation before it leaves us, with pran pratishtha performed at our mandir.
- Delivery: free delivery across India from Delhi, usually 2 to 4 days after dispatch.
Natural Rudraksha only
GemKrishna does not sell treated or modified Rudraksha. The X-ray in a GJSPC report shows the inside of the bead, where carved lines, joined beads and fillings are easy to spot. If a product is ever found not to be natural as stated by GemKrishna and its lab report, you get a full refund of everything you paid, including the lab report, shipping and making charges.
Want a simpler jaap mala?
Our Custom Jaap Mala Builder is still available for a quick, simple jaap mala. The Mala/Kantha Builder is for when you want to decide every detail yourself.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a custom Rudraksha mala cost at GemKrishna?
A 108-bead jaap mala or a kantha with 5 Mukhi base beads is ₹2,999, with 3, 4 or 6 Mukhi ₹3,499, and with 7 Mukhi ₹3,999. A 54-bead mala costs half as much, and a 27-bead hand jaap mala half of that, from ₹749. Premium Rudraksha, a premium Sumeru, silver work, a pendant and the GJSPC premium report are added at their own price; thread, tassel and a matching Sumeru are free.
What is the difference between a jaap mala and a kantha?
A jaap mala is made for counting mantras, with 27, 54 or 108 beads plus a Sumeru. A kantha is made to be worn around the neck, to the length you choose, and can carry a silver pendant.
Can I mix two kinds of Rudraksha?
Yes. Pick any two base Rudraksha and they alternate around your mala. You can also add premium Rudraksha and tell us where to place them in the note.
How long does a custom mala take?
Hand jaap malas are made within 1 to 2 days. 54 and 108 bead malas, kanthas and detailed designs are made within 7 days, then shipped across India from Delhi.
How do I know the Rudraksha in my mala is real?
Every premium bead is X-rayed and tested by GJSPC Laboratory, an independent lab in New Delhi, with its own report. You can also add GJSPC's premium A4 report with X-ray.
Can I ask for something the builder doesn't offer?
Yes. Message us on WhatsApp on +91 76782 75972 and tell us what you have in mind.
Can I return a custom mala?
Custom malas are made to order for you, so they aren't covered by our standard 30-day return. If we make a mistake, we put it right at our cost, including shipping.
Design your mala
Start at gemkrishna.com/pages/custom-rudraksha-mala-kantha-builder. Want a Rudraksha bracelet instead? Use our Custom Rudraksha Bracelet Builder, from ₹999.
Questions? WhatsApp us on +91 76782 75972 or email contact@gemkrishna.com.
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