How to Tell if a Tulsi Mala Is Original

Tulsi mala is sold everywhere online, but not all of it is genuine. Here's what actually tells real Tulsi wood apart from imitations.

Look at the grain

Real Tulsi wood has a natural, slightly uneven grain. No two beads look exactly alike. If every bead in a mala looks perfectly identical and smooth, it may be a synthetic or dyed substitute.

Check the smell

Tulsi wood has a very light, natural woody smell when new. It doesn't have a strong chemical or artificial scent.

Check the weight

Tulsi wood is light. If a "Tulsi mala" feels unusually heavy or dense for its size, it's worth questioning what it's actually made from.

Where it comes from

Most genuine Tulsi mala sold in the devotional market is handmade in Vrindavan or nearby areas, where Tulsi plants are grown specifically for this purpose. Sellers who can tell you where their Tulsi wood comes from are generally more trustworthy than ones who can't.

When in doubt, ask

A seller who's confident in their product should be able to answer basic questions about the wood, the source, and how the mala is made. If you can't get a straight answer, that's worth noticing.

Browse our Tulsi Mala collection, handmade in Vrindavan.