Vaishnava Practice
Guru & Deity Tulsi Locket Malas: Meaning and How to Wear
5 min read · Updated 2026-07-16
A Tulsi kanthi keeps the shelter of Tulsi at your throat. A locket mala goes one step further — it hangs a small image of your beloved deity or guru on that same sacred thread, so remembrance has a face to rest on.
What a locket mala is
The mala is strung from Tulsi beads, and at its centre sits a locket — often a framed image under a clear cover — showing a deity such as Radha–Krishna, Sitaram or Jagannath, or a revered guru or saint. The two elements together carry both the protection of Tulsi and the presence of the beloved form.
From the Treasury
Shree Radha Premium Tulsi Locket Mala – Shudh Tulsi Se Nirmit
₹599
Common types
- Deity lockets: Radha–Krishna, Shree Ram, Jagannath ji and others, for those devoted to a particular form.
- Guru lockets: the image of one's guru or a revered saint, kept as respect and remembrance.
- Bhaktmaal lockets: carrying the images of the great devotees and saints — a cherished Vaishnava tradition.
From the Treasury
Guru Kripa Shri Rajendra Das Ji Maharaj Locket mala
₹540
How it is worn
- At the throat like any kanthi, with the locket resting at the centre of the chest.
- Kept clean and dry — the image and its cover should be protected from moisture.
- Honoured as a sacred article, not swapped about like fashion jewellery.
Frequently Asked
- What is a Tulsi locket mala?
- It is a mala of Tulsi beads with a small locket at the centre bearing the image of a deity or guru — combining the shelter of Tulsi with constant remembrance of a beloved form.
- What is a bhaktmaal locket?
- A bhaktmaal locket carries the images of the great devotees and saints. It is a cherished Vaishnava tradition of keeping the company of the saints in remembrance, worn on Tulsi beads.
- How should I care for a locket mala?
- Wear it with respect at the throat, keep the image and its cover clean and dry, and treat it as a sacred article rather than jewellery.
