Rudraksha

A rudraksha (IAST: rudrākṣa) refers to the dried stones or seeds of the genus Elaeocarpus specifically, Elaeocarpus ganitrus. These stones serve as prayer beads for Hindus (especially Shaivas) and Buddhists. When they are ripe, rudraksha stones are covered by a blue outer fruit so they are sometimes called "blueberry beads".

The stones are associated with the Hindu deity Shiva and are commonly worn for protection and for chanting mantras such as Om Namah Shivaya (Sanskrit: ॐ नमः शिवाय; Om Namaḥ Śivāya). They are primarily sourced from India, Indonesia, and Nepal for jewellery and malas (garlands) and valued similarly to semi-precious stones. Rudraksha can have up to twenty one "faces" (Sanskrit: मुख, romanized: mukha, lit. 'face') or locules – naturally ingrained longitudinal lines which divide the stone into segments. Each face represents a particular deity.