A Rudraksha stall near Pashupatinath
A rudraksha is a string of beads made from the Elaeocarpus ganitrus tree. The seed has five grooves which are said to symbolise the five faces of Shiva. Rudra is another name for Shiva and Aksha is tears.
The beads are used for repetitive prayer called japa. They are also believed to invoke good health and different sized beads are said to be helpful for different ailments. For example, a smaller bead is said to help a person who has high blood pressure.
A Rudraksha stall near Pashupatinath
A rudraksha is a string of beads made from the Elaeocarpus ganitrus tree. The seed has five grooves which are said to symbolise the five faces of Shiva. Rudra is another name for Shiva and Aksha is tears.
The beads are used for repetitive prayer called japa. They are also believed to invoke good health and different sized beads are said to be helpful for different ailments. For example, a smaller bead is said to help a person who has high blood pressure.