A rudraksha is the seed of the eliocarpus ganitrus tree. These trees used to grow in abundance in the Himalayan region. The seeds of a rudraksha have a very unique vibration. The rudraksha beads are strung together and are collectively known as a mala. This mala consists of 108 beads. Apart from the said number of beads, this mala is also provided with an extra bead called the bindu. It is strictly recommended to have a mala with a bindu. A mala without a bindu can cause the energy to become cyclical and people who are sensitive may become dizzy. These malas can be strung with either a silk thread or a cotton thread and can be worn all the time.

The number of faces a bead can have varies from a single face up to 21 faces. These variations in the faces of a bead are known by different names and serve different purposes. For example, one faced bead is called ek mukhi. Similarly, five-faced beads are called panchmukhi.

Gauri Ganesh Rudraksha
The Gauri Ganesh Rudraksha relates to Lord Ganesh and his mother Devi Parvati. It is also known as the Garbha Gauri Rudraksha. This rudraksha is designed to have two beads. These beads vary in size. The smaller bead represents Lord Ganesha while the bigger one represents Devi Parvati. This rudraksha can also be called the smaller version of Gauri Shankar Rudraksha. Both these rudrakshas are different in one way. In Gauri Shankar Rudraksh pair, both the rudrakshas are of equal size whereas in Garbha Gauri or Ganesh Gauri Rudraksh pair, one rudraksha is smaller than the other. First Monday of Shukla Paksh is generally considered to be the auspicious day to wear this rudraksha.

Purpose of Wearing Gauri Ganesh Rudraksha
Gauri Ganesh Rudraksh is believed to be extremely powerful, like Ganesh and Gauri. According to the ancient scriptures, Garbha Gauri Rudraksha is extremely pure and is known to emit positive energies. The wearer is blessed by Lord Ganesha and goddess Parvati. In general, this rudraksh is worn to attain happiness and contentment in life. It also helps in attaining worldly gains, physical pleasures and attainment of ultimate salvation.

This rudraksha can play an important role in the life of a lady. Females who are not able to conceive or have gone through many miscarriages can be blessed with motherhood, if they wear Gauri Ganesh Rudraksha. This rudraksha acts as a protector of the foetus in the womb. It strengthens the bond of love between the mother and her child. It also maintains trust and cooperation between them. It can also be worn for a successful married life.

Wearers of Gauri Ganesh Rudraksha
Ordinarily, rudrakshas are worn by gents but in case of Gauri Ganesh Rudraksha, even ladies can wear it. It is based on the premise that both males and females are equal in the eyes of God. God does not discriminate between them. Both the genders have equal grace and blessings of God.

Ritual for Wearing Gauri Ganesh Rudraksha
The Gauri Ganesh Rudraksha should be capped in either gold or silver, strung with a red thread and worn while chanting the mantras.

Mantra for Wearing Gauri Ganesh Rudraksha
Mantra is a Sanskrit word. A conglomeration of sacred syllable(s) or sacred word(s) is called a mantra. Mantras are also called vibrational formulas since chanting of the mantras create a specific sound, a frequency that conveys a directive into the sub-conscious.

Mantra- "Om Garbh Gauriye Namah"

Special Precautions to be taken while wearing Gauri Ganesh Rudraksha
One should refer the Jabalo Upanishad to know the correct procedure for wearing the Gauri Ganesh Rudraksha. While wearing the mala one should chant the appropriate mantra continuously. After the rudraksha is worn, it needs to be further energized. So care should be taken to chant the mantra during the day, whenever one gets time. It can also be rejuvenated by meditation, facing east in the morning. Once a person has started wearing the rudraksha, he should never show it to others. If the rudraksha is exposed it may benefit others, who have touched or viewed it. If the thread is broken while wearing rudraksha, it should be changed with a new thread. It should be taken care that the bead should touch the body after wearing it. This will help to pass the energy of the rudraksha via the soul to the entire human body. It is also advised that before going to bed, the rudraksha should be removed from the body and placed in a holy place. A rudraksha worn by some other person should never be worn. One should also not give their rudraksha to some other people. To maintain the sanctity of rudraksha, women are advised not wear it during their period of menstruation. It is believed that a rudraksha worn during that period will lose its sanctity. One should also not wear the rudraksha while going to funerals and brothels. It is advised that the rudraksha should be worn throughout ones life. Maximum benefit from the rudraksha is unattainable, if it is worn irregularly. It should therefore become a part of ones body, wearing it daily like clothes.

Testing the Genuity of Rudraksha
For Gauri Ganesha Rudraksha to function effectively, one should take care the rudraksha they have bought is a genuine one. The various tests that can be conducted to test the genuity of any rudraksha are cut test, properties test, copper coin test, eye test and water sink test.

Cut Test
One can test the rudraksha by cutting the bead horizontally. If one finds same number of compartments as the number of lines, then the rudraksha is a genuine one. But doing so will destroy the rudraksha.

Properties Test
A genuine rudraksha will exhibit properties like inductance, capacitance and conduction of electric current. So, it can be tested for its properties.

Copper Coin Test
In the Copper Coin Test, rudraksha beads are placed between two copper coins. After this arrangement, the beads are expected to rotate slightly. This is due to the physical and magnetic properties of the rudraksha beads.

Eye Test
A real rudraksha can be identified with the help of a magnifying glass. Deep lining (facets or the mukhis) from the upper part to the lower part of the rudraksha should be observable, using this glass.

Water Sink Test
A fake rudraksha made out of wood and impregnated with lead will sink also in water. So, this test is undependable and may not give genuine results.

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