Types of Rudraksha

The Rudraksha beads are usually differentiated on the basis of number of faces or Mukhis that appear on the bead. The bead has tuberculated clefts and furrows that define its type. Rudrakshas also vary in size from small (found in plains) to very big (found in trees growing in Himalayas). A smooth Rudraksha is also found but it is very rare and very expensive.

According to the ancient scriptures, Mukhis are numbered from 1 to 38. Lord Shiva's three eyes represent the Sun, Moon and Fire. The Rudraksha beads born out of the tears of his solar eye are brown in color and are of 12 types. Those born of his lunar eye are fair and of 16 types. His Fiery eye's tears gave birth to black Rudraksha which are of 10 types.

The different Mukhi Rudraksha are also divided on the basis of size and availability :

• Collector Beads are giant in size, heavy and emit high energy. These are rare Rudraksha beads that are produced in limited quantity every season. The Rudraksha Collector beads have a guarantee certificate also. The Collector beads comprise of easily available Mukhis (1-14).
• Rare Rudraksha Beads are not available easily and comprise of Mukhis from 15 to 22 and Trijuti/Tribhagi Rudraksha.
• Other Rudraksha Beads are so called due to their special shape. Gaurishankar Rudraksha, Garbh Gauri Rudraksha and Ganesha Rudraksha have been named so due to their resemblance to the respective deities.

Two Mukhi Three Mukhi Four Mukhi Five Mukhi Six Mukhi Seven Mukhi/Saptmukhi Eight Mukhi/Ashtamukhi

Nine Mukhi Ten Mukhi Eleven Mukhi Twelve Mukhi Thirteen Mukhi Fourteen Mukhi

One Mukhi Fifteen Mukhi Sixteen Mukhi Seventeen Mukhi Eighteen Mukhi

Nineteen Mukhi Twenty Mukhi Twenty One Mukhi Trijuti/Tribhagi Rudraksha

Gaurishankar Rudraksha Garbh Gauri Rudraksha

Ganesha Rudraksha