Vaishnava Practice
Bhaktmaal & Tulsi Lockets: Wearing the Lord Close
4 min read · Updated 2026-07-12
Beyond the plain Tulsi kanthi, many devotees wear a bhaktmaal locket — a small framed image of their beloved deity set onto the Tulsi mala. It is a way of keeping not only the shelter of Tulsi but the very form of the Lord close to the heart and throat.
What is a bhaktmaal locket?
The locket is a small pendant, usually with a picture of a deity protected under a clear cover, joined to a Tulsi kanthi mala. As the devotee goes through the day, the Lord's image rests at the throat — a constant, sweet reminder of whom the kanthi belongs to.
From the Treasury
Shree Radheshyam Small Bhaktmal Tulsi Kanthi Mala
₹480
The forms devotees wear
- Radha-Krishna and Radheshyam — beloved of Vrindavan devotees.
- Sita-Ram — for those devoted to Lord Rama.
- The Vaishnava acharyas and saints of the tradition.
- One wears the form dearest to one's own heart and lineage.
From the Treasury
Shree Sitaram Small Bhaktmal Tulsi Kanthi Mala
₹480
How they are worn and cared for
- Worn like a kanthi mala — at the throat, continuously, with respect.
- Keep the image clean and the locket cover intact; protect it from water and rough handling.
- Treat it as a sacred article bearing the Lord's form, never as ornamental jewellery.
Frequently Asked
- What is a bhaktmaal locket?
- It is a small pendant bearing a deity's image, set onto a Tulsi kanthi mala so the Lord's form rests at the throat as a constant reminder of devotion.
- Which deity should be on my locket?
- Devotees wear the form dearest to their heart and lineage — commonly Radha-Krishna, Radheshyam, Sita-Ram, or the acharyas of the tradition.
- How do I care for a Tulsi locket mala?
- Wear it with respect at the throat, keep the image and cover clean and dry, and treat it as a sacred article rather than jewellery.
