Kasu Mala

Coins That Carry Lakshmi

The Kasu Mala is composed of gold coins, or "kasu," each one individually stamped with the image of Goddess Lakshmi. The word "kasu" in Tamil and Malayalam means coin, and this necklace has its roots in the ancient practice of stringing gold coins as a display of wealth and devotion. Each coin is hand-stamped using a die carved from hardened steel, a process that requires extraordinary precision, as the die must impress the fine details of the goddess's form, her lotus throne, and flanking elephants into a disc of soft 22-karat gold. The coins are then linked with hand-soldered gold loops to form a flexible, flowing chain that drapes beautifully against the body. The Kasu Mala is traditionally one of the longest necklaces in a Kerala bridal set, sometimes reaching below the waist, and it is often layered with shorter pieces like the Palakka Mala or Manga Mala.