Rudraksha Wearing Rules: The Real Guidelines You Should Know

Rudraksha Wearing Rules: The Real Guidelines You Should Know

Introduction
Rudraksha beads have been revered for centuries as sacred seeds with spiritual, emotional, and physical benefits. Worn by yogis, saints, and seekers across traditions, they are believed to harmonize energy, calm the mind, and support overall well-being. Yet, questions about the “rules” of wearing Rudraksha often arise. Should they be removed at night? Can they be worn during daily activities? Are there differences in rules for men and women?

This guide provides clear, practical, and authentic guidelines for wearing Rudraksha in modern life. It separates myth from fact, while respecting the cultural roots of Rudraksha traditions.

1. Understanding the Essence of Rudraksha

  • Rudraksha is not a piece of jewelry; it is a spiritual tool.

  • Its benefits are maximized when in direct contact with the skin, allowing energy flow.

  • Wearing it consistently builds a subtle connection over time.

2. Who Can Wear Rudraksha?

  • Anyone, regardless of age, gender, religion, or culture, can wear Rudraksha.

  • There is no restriction that only yogis or devotees can use it.

  • Children and the elderly may wear lighter Rudraksha like 5-face for calmness.

3. How to Wear Rudraksha

  • Necklaces (Malas): Traditionally contain 54 or 108 beads. Worn around the neck, resting on the chest.

  • Bracelets: Smaller strands, convenient for daily wear. Worn on either wrist.

  • Single Beads or Pendants: Hung on a thread or chain to focus on the bead’s specific benefit.

4. Right vs. Left Hand: Does It Matter?

  • Left hand: Considered the receiving side. Wearing Rudraksha on the left helps absorb energy, grounding, and calming.

  • Right hand: Considered the giving side. Wearing Rudraksha on the right promotes outward energy flow — confidence, action, and sharing.

  • Bracelets can be worn on either hand, depending on intention.

5. Daily Wear: Can Rudraksha Be Worn Always?

  • Yes, Rudraksha can be worn at all times — during work, rest, and meditation.

  • They do not need to be removed at night.

  • However, some prefer removing them while bathing or swimming, not because of energy concerns but to avoid exposure to soaps and chlorine.

6. Care and Maintenance

  • Avoid direct contact with chemicals, perfumes, or excessive heat.

  • Clean gently with water and dry naturally.

  • Periodic application of Rudraksha Energising Oil helps maintain vibrancy.

  • Store in a clean, sacred space (altar, box, or pouch) when not worn.

7. Cultural Myths vs. Modern Understanding

  • Myth: Women cannot wear Rudraksha during menstruation.

    • Fact: There is no scriptural basis for this restriction. Women can wear Rudraksha anytime.

  • Myth: Only Hindus can wear Rudraksha.

    • Fact: Rudraksha is universal and beyond religious boundaries.

  • Myth: It must be worn only after rituals.

    • Fact: While rituals add significance, Rudraksha can be worn directly.

8. When to Start Wearing Rudraksha

  • Many choose auspicious days (Mondays, Mahashivratri, or personal spiritual milestones).

  • However, there is no fixed rule — the most important factor is intention and respect.

9. Combining Rudraksha with Other Jewelry

  • Rudraksha can be worn with gemstones or metals.

  • For synergy, wear gemstone jewelry to amplify specific intentions (e.g., clarity, prosperity) alongside Rudraksha.

  • Avoid heavy mixing with fashion jewelry that has chemicals or dyes.

10. Signs Your Rudraksha is Working

  • A sense of calm or balance over time.

  • Improved focus and emotional stability.

  • Subtle physical benefits like reduced stress.

  • Remember: benefits may be gradual, not instant.

Conclusion
Rudraksha wearing rules are ultimately simple: treat them with respect, wear them consistently, and care for them physically. Beyond that, there are no rigid restrictions. Trust your own connection with the beads, and let them serve as a companion in your spiritual and everyday journey.

Most likely, the first question that comes to your mind before acquiring a Rudraksha is, “How do I know if this bead is authentic?” With climate change affecting the supply, and rising demand caused by increased awareness, the Rudraksha market has become flooded with counterfeit beads and fake certifications, making it challenging to locate genuine beads. In fact, for every real bead, approximately 3 to 4 fakes exist.

Why do fakes exist?

Around 70% of Rudraksha tend to be the 5 face (Panchmukhi). As we diverge from the 5 face, either to higher or lower faces, the rarity and price grow exponentially. Thus, many sellers manufacture imitations, especially of the rare varieties, at very low costs and try to sell these using below market pricing. While experienced buyers know that beads that cheap are usually fake, many unsuspecting newcomers fall victim to this scam.

Why is authenticity important?

Authenticity is crucial for Rudraksha, as their efficacy is directly linked to their genuineness. Real Rudraksha have countless benefits (E.g.: They emanate positive vibrations and possess healing properties that can benefit the wearer both spiritually and physically). On the other hand, imitation beads not only lack these divine qualities but may also contain inferior materials that might harm the wearer.

In this comprehensive guide, we will learn about fake Rudraksha beads and foolproof ways to authenticate Rudraksha, ensuring that you do not fall prey to counterfeit products.

How are fake Rudraksha made and what do they look like?

Using a mold

  • Imitation 5 face mala

    Since mass production minimises costs, even 5 face beads, the most common face, are sometimes fakes.

  • This method allows for mass production, and is used to produce beads at a fraction of the actual cost. In fact, there are designated factories in India and China solely producing these imitation products. Usually, materials like plastic, wood or clay are used.

    Rudraksha are natural seeds with imperfections, and will never be 100% uniform. However, these imitation beads will look exactly uniform and perfect, with a very smooth surface.

  • Plastic 1 face bead

    This bead has been cut horizontally to reveal the shiny plastic material.

Gluing beads together

  • Fake 21 face Rudraksha with certification

    Usually, beads that are glued together will come with x-ray certification, to make it seem more trustworthy.

  • This high-level technique allows sellers to create either beads with high faces, or unique beads like the Gauri Shankar and Trijuti. Even an x-ray will be unable to distinguish these beads, as the imaging and seed count will tally.

    When viewing the Rudraksha very closely, you will be able to identify any artificial joints. This is especially if an inexperienced craftsman has glued the beads together, as the joint area will look different.

  • 3 beads glued together to form a Trijuti

    One of the rarest and most expensive Rudraksha, most Trijutis tend to be fakes, like the one pictured.

Carving artificial lines

  • Fake 21 face Rudraksha

    This bead involves both gluing and carving artificial lines.

  • Sellers may hand-carve lines to increase the number of faces on their beads, thus causing their value to rise. Usually, only a few lines will be artificially carved, while the rest will be natural lines; this makes it less obvious and harder to spot. Carving just 1 line on a bead can cause the value to more than double.

    Regardless of the artisan’s skill level, a hand-carved line will never look the same as a natural line - it tends to look sharper and unnatural. However, differentiation might be challenging.

  • Fake 21 face Rudraksha

    Many fakes come with a capping, which prevents proper scrutinisation.

Hiding lines

  • 5 face mala transformed into a 1 face mala

    Each bead in the mala has been artificially altered into a 1 face bead, using a sandpaper to erase the lines.

  • This method is usually used to create a round Nepal 1 face bead. Small Rudraksha pieces are used to cover the lines on a bead, or sandpaper is used to erase the lines (E.g.: A 5 face bead can be converted into a fake 1 face bead by concealing 4 faces).

    Round Nepal 1 face beads do not exist. This is one of the most common scams in the Rudraksha market. 1 face beads only come from India (Big, half-moon shape) and Indonesia (Small, oval shape). When viewing the Rudraksha very closely, you will be able to identify any covered lines.

  • 5 face bead transformed into a 1 face

    4 of the faces have been filled with Rudraksha sediments, such that there is only 1 complete line.

Carving holy symbols

  • Fake 1 face bead with many carvings

    This is claimed to be a 1 face bead, with a line on the bottom. Actually, it is made of a clay-like substance.

  • Some sellers carve symbols (E.g.: Om, trishul, lingam, and serpent) onto Rudraksha or similar-looking stones and claim that these symbols appeared naturally to sell the beads at exorbitant amounts.

    Very rarely, Rudraksha may showcase these symbols naturally, but it will never be clear or sharp. Avoid Rudraksha with unnaturally sharp and distinct markings, as they have been altered and are not natural.

  • Beads with various carvings

    These are carved out of a random scaly fruit. However, they are being sold as Rudraksha.

Selling similar-looking seeds

  • Fake 21 face Rudraksha

    Not only is this bead's appearance different, but it also has an unnaturally large central hole.

  • Many other trees that do not belong to the Elaeocarpus ganitrus (Rudraksha) family bear fruits that look very similar to the Rudraksha. These may be passed off as Rudraksha, with hand-carved lines, and an untrained eye might not realize the difference immediately. Most commonly, betel nuts are used.

    These fakes, when compared side-by-side with actual Rudraksha, have a different appearance, texture, etc.

  • Fake 21 face Rudraksha

    This bead's sharp, perfect lines are a giveaway that it is handmade and not natural.

How can you check if a Rudraksha is real?

The X-ray Test

In a real Rudraksha, each face or mukhi represents 1 internal seed compartment containing a seed. There should also be a central hole. An X-ray can be used to analyse these components, and is one of the most accurate methods of verification.

However,

  • X-ray services are not easily accessible. Additionally, the seeds might be very small, or the compartments very close together. In that case, a CT scan is required, which can be even more expensive.
  • Beads that have been glued together will pass the x-ray test, as the number of internal seeds and compartments will tally. Since many blindly trust x-ray certifications, manipulative sellers often glue beads together to form rare, expensive beads like the 21 face or Trijuti, and offer certification to gain trust.

The Microscopic Observation Test

Regardless of how well a fake Rudraksha is designed, this test can be used to distinguish any irregularities, such as a different material, artificial lines, artificial joints, etc.

However, an inexperienced person may not be able to immediately distinguish irregularities with confidence, especially when each origin has a slightly different appearance.

The Energy Test

A sensitive person can feel the energy or vibrations of a Rudraksha when holding it and focusing.

However, this test only works for people sensitive to the energies surrounding them, and is especially challenging for the less energetic lower faces that contain less seeds. Those who meditate or chant regularly might find this method suitable.

The Cut Test

Each face represents 1 internal seed compartment containing a seed. Horizontally cutting through a Rudraksha bead will allow viewing of these components.

However, although it is the most accurate method, your precious Rudraksha will be destroyed and it is thus not advised.

Are there any fake tests?

The following tests are illegitimate and inaccurate, and are commonly used to trick unknowing buyers. Moreover, they only test whether the bead is indeed a Rudraksha. None of them consider the possibility that the bead may be a Rudraksha, but the faces might be artificial.

The Water Test

Supposedly, Rudraksha beads are denser than water and will sink.

However, Fake Rudraksha can be injected with lead or other dense compounds to increase the bead’s overall density, for them to sink in water.

Moreover, Real Rudraksha may float or sink, depending on factors like air pockets, moisture, ripeness, etc.

The Milk Test

Supposedly, the milk in which a Rudraksha bead is placed will remain fresh, not curdling or spoiling, for 2 to 3 days.

However, this test has zero scientific backing and is simply untrue.

The Boiling Test

Supposedly, this test can verify that beads have not been glued together. The bead is boiled in water for 1 to 2 hours, and a sharp discolouration will occur at the joint areas if it is an artificially joint bead.

However, craftsmen use a specific glue that will not dissolve, even in boiling water.

The Copper Coin Test

Supposedly, a Rudraksha bead that is placed between two copper coins will rotate.

However, any round object placed between two copper coins will rotate. The phenomenon is unrelated to Rudraksha.