The story of the kasu mala — coin necklaces of South India
Why Lakshmi-coin necklaces have endured for a thousand years across temples, dancers and brides.
Coins as devotion
Kasu means 'coin' in Tamil. The kasu mala — strands of gold coins stamped with the goddess Lakshmi — originated as temple offerings and royal regalia in the Vijayanagara era. Each coin carries the goddess of prosperity; a strand of them is a wearable blessing.
From the sanctum to the bride
When temple jewellery moved from the deity to bharatanatyam dancers and eventually to brides, the kasu mala came with it. Today it remains essential to a complete South Indian bridal layering — usually worn between the choker and the long haram.
Reading a kasu mala
Look at the coin face. Authentic kasu malas use hand-struck Lakshmi coins with crisp detail and a slight irregularity that machine-stamped pieces lack. The clasp should be a screw fitting, never a spring ring, because of the weight.
