Economic Botany Collection

Catalogue no.:

64664

Botanical classification:

ELAEOCARPACEAE Elaeocarpus ganitrus

Common name:

Rudraksha, Indian oil-fruit

Geographical description:

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Item description:

Rosary

Length:

184cm

No. of beads:

105

Bead size:

1.8cm

Additional information:

Notes accompanying object: 'Rosaries used by Indian devotees [of Hinduism].'
This necklace was bought from the holy city of Benares (now Varanasi) and regarded as very sacred. Varanasi is said to be one of the oldest living cities in the world and is a place of pilgrimage for Hindus. It is also just outside Varanasi that Lord Buddha is said to have preached his first sermon.
Rudraksha literally means 'Shiva's Eye'. They are worn either in a rosary, or 'Mala' and are counted in a Japa, as decoration, or as talismans to ward off pain. Shiva worshippers have used Rudraksha beads since the 11th century and believe that they must wear a necklace of the seeds in order to obtain the heaven where Shiva resides.

Plant information:

Large evergreen tree found from North East India to Western Malaya. The fruit endocarp is made into necklaces for decoration, prayer or meditation.

Donor date:

06/01/1851

Donor:

Major Edward Madden of the Bengal Artillery.