Some call them the tears of Lord Shiva [Images]. Others swear by their therapeutic effects on the body. Today, thanks to the fashionable few who dictate terms, rudraksha beads are a popular accessory with all kinds of outfits. Whether in the form of malas or bracelets, or even embroidered on to clothes, they can now be found on everyone from college girls in Guwahati to Richard Gere [Images] at a movie premiere.

The beads, obtained from the seeds of the Rudraksha tree, have long been used in the ancient science of Ayurveda for the preparation of all kinds of medicine. Now, according to Tanay Seetha, a Mumbai-based rudraksha therapist, more people are taking to them after research worldwide has proved they possess electromagnetic powers. Their therapeutic effects on ailments like blood pressure, heart disease and stress have also been proved, he adds.

Over the past two or three years, the beads have also become a fairly popular fashion statement. Today, almost every fashion boutique and jeweller uses them, says Samir Kumar, a jeweller from Delhi [Images]. Women generally combine rudraksha and gold beads for the neck, while men wear them either as a small mala or bracelet.

Interestingly, most people wear them as accessories, without realising which type of bead ought to go with their astrological chart. But that's beginning to change.

Seetha, who recently held an exhibition in Delhi, says that people are becoming aware of the beneficial effects and other facets of the beads. These mukhams or facets signify specific properties. Beads with up to 21 mukhams may be available, although chances are a lot of them could be fake. There's an easy way to find out which ones are real though � the real beads don't float in water and aren't destroyed by boiling.

The beads are very popular in Mumbai too, according to Seetha, and everyone from film stars like Shammi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan [Images] and Rajnikanth [Images] to college-goers can be seen sporting them. Even former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi [Images] used to wear them. They are also liked by new age spirituality seekers, who range from software experts to corporates and those working in the BPO sector.

Cashing on the popularity of these mystic beads, many therapists now sell herbal oils with rudraksha extracts that, they claim, are good for the skin, hair and joints. Also available are cassettes and CDs with the rudraksha mantra.

Maybe it's time you took a closer look.