A mala — also called haar or malaji — is a garland or necklace made to a fixed inner length so that it hangs at the right height on the deity image it is made for.
Also spelt: malaji, maala, haar, har, necklace, garland, mala ji
Related terms
Shringar jewellery (aabharan)
Aabharan means ornaments; shringar jewellery is the set of necklaces, earrings, bangles, waistbands and anklets made to fit a deity image rather than a person, usually in gold- or silver-finish metal.
Shringar
Shringar is the Sanskrit-derived word for adornment; on this site it means the ornaments, garments and decorations made for a deity image rather than for a person to wear.
Mukut
A mukut is a crown-form headpiece made to sit on the head of a deity image; it is worked in metal with a gold or silver finish and is chosen by the width of the image it must fit.
Questions about Mala (malaji)?
The Rajkot workshop can advise on sizing, materials and custom commissions.