My wardrobe goes the sadhu style!

The hard, serrated and round beads are no longer merely the sadhu’s japmala; they are making a fashion statement! Rudraksha is popularly known as ‘Tears of Lord Shiva’ and ‘The King of all Gems’. Over the past two or three years, the beads have also become a fairly popular accessory. You can see young boys wearing a single Rudraksha as a pendent in a black thread around their neck as a fashion statement. And women stitch the Rudraksha beads in the ends of their dupatta as embellishments.

Rudraksha belongs to the Elaeocarpus Ganitras family and is found mainly in Nepal, Indonesia and Malaysia. According to mythology, Rudraksha trees germinated from the tears shed by Lord Shiva in happiness after the slaying of the powerful demon king Tripurasura in a battle. Going by the Hindu scriptures, these beads are not only regarded as sacred but also ones with the healing powers. So it is traditionally used as prayer beads in Hinduism.

Rudraksha has fascinated mankind since timeworn, apart from being the jewellery of Gods, it has been worn by sages, saints, leaders, businessmen and peoples from all walks of life for growth, success and well-being. Film stars like Shammi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, and Rajnikanth can be seen sporting them. Even former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi used to wear them.

 Rudraksha as a pious bead provides a lot of room for experiment and versatility as there are 38 varieties of Rudraksha available in 21 mukhis or faces that can be used to enhance outfits and jewellery. Rudraksha beads are combined with the beads of different facets with semi-precious gems and woven into ear rings, necklaces and bracelets. Women generally combine Rudraksha and gold beads for the neck, while men wear them either as a small mala or bracelet. On the one hand they can go as party or fashion wear and on the other hand act as a healing tool.

Rudraksha is combined with other stones, gems, pearls, corals and also gold which makes it stylish and fashionable. Combining a Rudraksha to different gems makes for a fashionable accessory and attracts people in buying it. Rudraksha is also used as buttons of kurtas, and shirts or even embroidered onto clothes. The experimentation of Rudraksha are not only limited to clothes and accessories. Curtain hangings, corners of the bed spreads and pillow covers, watch clock, and show pieces are also made out of Rudraksha.

Naturally, Rudraksha is in beach brown colour but as you wear them regularly it turns into black. The turning of colour from brown to black indicates that it is a genuine Rudraksha. There are also laser techniques used to find out the authenticity of the bead. Life span of Rudraksha is several years if maintained well. They should be cleaned with plain water and after drying any edible oil can be applied after drying the beads, at least once in a month. Your Rudraksha accessory will last long if cared properly.

Rudraksha is believed to have certain health benefits which help in curing diseases like diabetes, BP, acidity heart and skin disease, female related disease, sex problem, reduces asthma, stress and body pain. Rudraksha is also claimed to enhance beauty, memory, and concentration. Indeed, it is no wonder that school-going kids to teens to college-students to even stars have a thing for rudraksha beads, be it for fashion, or for benefits of wellbeing.

 One thing that is really special about rudraksha beads is that different varieties suit different people, biologically. There are specialists who can discern what type will suit you. Keeping this in mind while buying the beads can go a long way in maintaining health while being as fashionable as ever. If fashion brings with it good heath and sense of wellbeing too, then why not indulge in it? Wear Rudraksha for growth, success, good health, and of course, for style.

Tip
*  Wear a Rudraksha mala or a necklace on an OM printed t-shirt or Hare Ram Hare Krishna clothes, or orange or yellow colour shirt on a jeans pant, to give that rustic look.

* Flats or hawai chappals go well with this look.

* Carry a sadhu type shoulder bag, normally known as jholi bags, attached to a long single strap.

*  Sadhu type fashion is no longer bizarre, but unique in its own way. What makes this style unique is its print work on the fabric which gives a traditional look while making a unique style statement.