Express India offers this informative story on the diffusion of Rudraksha beads in secular fashion, featuring commentary by Indian designers and merchants. Divine-Rudrakaha.com explains the basics . . .

The word Rudraksha, comes from the two Sanskrit words Rudra, a synonym for Lord Shiva, and Aksha, meaning “eyes”. Botanically, the rudraksha tree is known as Elaecarpus ganitrus Roxb. The Seed of this plant has a rough surface and a hole running through it from top to bottom. Each seed also possesses from 1 to 21 vertical lines running down its surface, like the longitude lines on a globe. These lines are known as mukhas, or facets, and are natural formations of the seed. Seeds with one vertical line are known as Ek-mukhi (one facet); those with two lines are Do-mukhi (two facets), and so on. Each bead has a different effect on you, depending on the number of mukhis it has.

And these excerpts from the Express article highlight the beads' dissemination throughout Indian fashion:

"Rudraksha is the new fashion mantra. It is very famous among youngsters. Today's generation prefers something different and so Rudraksha is high on popularity. Rudraksha accessories go not only with skirts, jeans but also with salwar-kameez for girls and guys can wear it with jeans and T-shirts," says a well- known jewelry designer. Interestingly Rudraksha accessories are quite famous among foreigners as they are both inherently Indian and act as pretty, wearable souvenirs. They are also quite a rage amongst young professionals. `It looks cool to wear Rudrakhsa accessories at the workplace and they go perfectly with my T-shirt and jeans," said Sudipto Kumar who works in an IT company.

Though the trend is just a revival of Rudraksh's usage from times immemorial, the intriguing part is its acceptability amongst the people with a sartorial dress sense. "There has always been an elelment of fashion surrounding Rudraksha, but now it has been widely accepted," says Firoj Ahmad of Sham Jewellers in KP.

There are 15 types of Rudraksh from one mukhi to 15 mukhi, according to the inlaying on it. One, 14 and 15 mukhi Rudraksh are costly, priced around Rs 2000 per Rudraksh, as they are rare to get. Seven to 12 mukhi Rudraksh ranges around Rs 700 to 1500. One can get a whole string of panchmukhi Rudraksh as they are easy to get. But even some jewelers find it difficult to recognize an original Rudraksh. They come from Nepal and finding original ones is quite rare according to jewelers in the city. . . .

"When it comes to astrology, particular Rudrakshas are allotted to specific sunsigns, like Virgoans should wear four-mukhi Rudraksh and Scorpions should don three-mukhi but people generally prefer to wear panchmukhi Rudraksh as they are easily available," says Alka Kulkarni from the Ram temple in Tulsibaug.

Like life, fashion too it seems, comes a full circle.