People consider mala necklaces as prayer beads and have traditionally used them in meditation and spiritual practices, especially within Hinduism and Buddhism. Practitioners usually string 108 beads to help keep count of mantras or prayers while chanting.
Artisans make the beads from wood, seeds, or semiprecious stones, each carrying its symbolic meaning. They remind us of our inner growth and our connection to either God or the soul. Today, modern trends have transformed mala necklaces into a fashion icon that represents spirituality.