Rudraksha bead is a divine gift from Lord Shiva to the mankind for helping them to combat their miseries and sorrows. Therefore these divine beads can be worn by any body irrespective of age, sex, caste, creed, culture and location. However it is desirable that certain precautions be taken while using Rudraksha since it is a divine gift and therefore very pious.

First of all a person who wants to wear a Rudraksha, should make sure of the type of Rudraksha which is most suitable and idle for him taking in to account his zodiac sign, problems or desires for which he wants to wear Rudraksha.

While Purchasing a Rudraksha one should make sure that he is purchasing a genuine Rudraksha only otherwise he will not get the desirable effects. One of the best way is to purchase a Rudraksha from some authentic source only and not from any street vendors.

While wearing a Rudraksha for the first time, it is advisable to do so on the particular day of the week which again depends upon the type of the Rudraksha. Also it is necessary that a proper Puja (Pran Pratishta) is done before wearing a Rudraksha for the first time to get the maximum beneficial effects.

A Rudraksha can be worn around the neck ( as a mala or pendent ) or around the wrist as a bracelet. It can also be kept in the Puja room to be used for japa.

A Rudraksha mala, Bracelet or a pendent can be made using gold, silver or even a strong thread preferably of red color.

A Rudraksha mala should be cleaned after 15 to 20 days using Lukewarm water and mild liquid soap. One should never use a strong detergents or very hot/ boiling water.

One may periodically apply mustered oil/ sandalwood oil to the Rudraksha bead so that they remain shiny and perfumed. Rudraksha beads are very strong and if a proper care and clining is done and if protected from getting physically damaged, these beads can be passed on from one generation to another.

A person can wear more then one Rudraksha bead of the same mukhi. Alternately he can also wear a mala/ bracelet having a combination of various mukhi Rudraksha.

Rudraksha beads are a product of nature. Hence they vary in their size and colors even if they are identical in Mukhas (facets) . However this variation of size and color dose not increases/ decreases the effectiveness of this divine bead.

Children should not be allowed to wear one mukhi Rudraksha.

Rudraksha should not be worn while attending a funeral.

The best way is to keep the Rudraksha in Puja place before going to sleep and wear the same next morning only after taking a bath.

Females may avoid using Rudraksha for three four days when nature is at its work.

Family members should not keep interchanging Neck Malas, Japa Malas or Rudraksha beads. The bond created between a wearer and Rudraksha is very private and hence the wearer must not share her/his Rudraksha with a third party. But it can be willed and passed on to the next generation.