How to tie kalava or mauli: which hand, how many turns and when to remove it
Quick answer: Kalava or mauli is a red and yellow cotton thread tied on the wrist as a raksha sutra (protective thread) during a puja, havan or any auspicious event. Traditionally, men and unmarried girls have it tied on the right wrist and married women on the left. It is usually wound three times, and is tied with a mantra while the person holds a coin or a few grains of rice in a closed fist.
At a glance
- Thread
- Red and yellow cotton thread (in some places only red)
- Wrist
- Men and unmarried girls: right; married women: left
- Turns
- Usually 3 (some families use 5 or 7)
- Who ties it
- The priest, an elder, or yourself after puja
How to tie kalava, step by step
- During a puja or auspicious event, after bathing, first offer the kalava to God.
- The person receiving it holds a coin or a few grains of rice in a closed fist and holds the hand out, placing the other hand on the head.
- The person tying it winds it three times around the wrist while saying the raksha sutra mantra.
- Tie two knots, not too tight.
- The receiver gives the coin or a dakshina to the priest, or places it in the puja plate.
The raksha sutra mantra
This mantra is said while tying the thread: 'Yena baddho Bali raja danavendro mahabalah, tena tvam anubadhnami rakshe ma chala ma chala.' In simple words: with the same protective thread that bound the mighty King Bali, lord of the danavas, I bind you; O thread of protection, stay firm. If you don't know the mantra, you can tie it while saying God's name.
Do
- Keep it clean, and change it when it becomes very dirty or faded.
- Release the old thread in flowing water, or place it at the root of a peepal or any tree.
- Many families remove an old kalava on a Tuesday or Saturday and tie a new one the same day.
Don't
- Don't throw the old thread in the rubbish.
- Don't tie it so tight that it hurts the skin or blood flow.
- Don't re-tie a thread that has been taken off.
- Use cotton thread, not plastic or synthetic thread.
The wrist, number of turns and day of removal differ by region and family. Follow your family and priest. KathaMantra makes no claim that a kalava brings specific results.
Frequently asked questions
Which hand should kalava be tied on?
Traditionally, men and unmarried girls tie it on the right wrist and married women on the left. In some families everyone ties it on the right.
How many times should kalava be wound?
Usually three times. Some families wind it five or seven times.
When should an old kalava be removed?
When it becomes dirty or faded. Many families remove it on a Tuesday or Saturday and tie a new one at the next auspicious occasion.
Can I tie kalava myself?
Yes. After a home puja, offer it to God and tie it yourself, or ask an elder at home to tie it.
What should I do with the old kalava?
Release it in flowing water or place it at the base of a tree. Don't throw it in the rubbish.