2. The bottom of the Kanthi should reach the heart, the place in which God resides. The Kanthi is a double stranded beaded necklace made of Tulsi. It is a significant symbol of our sampraday and shows that you have taken shelter under Lord Swaminarayan.

3. Maharaj has said that Kanthi made from Tulsi is the best one to have because of the guuns (qualities) in Tulsi. The origin of the kanthi dates back to the time of Ramanand Swami and his guru Ramanuj Acharya. Ramanand Swami was the first to adorn a double stranded necklace made of Tulsi.

4. One thread represents the soul (ideal devotee) and the other represents ParamAtma (Lord Swaminarayan). The Kanthi is like this to signify the union of the soul and the ParamAtma (ideal devotee and Maharaj). Maharaj has instructed His followers to wear a double stranded Kanthi in Shikshapatri Shlok 41.

5. They place water in the palm of our hands and recite the mantra, which say that we accept Maharaj’s refuge. They then put a Kanthi on you and this is known as “Vratman Dharan”. By reciting these mantras they wash away the paaps of this birth and all previous births, and help you start a “new life”. We are normally given the Kanthi by a Sadhu or a Guru, who lives their life in accordance to Lord Shree Swaminarayan’s agna.

6. After we have accepted and worn the Kanthi, we must not drink alcohol, eat meat, steal, commit adultery and finally must watch the sources of all the food we intake (Panch Vratman).

7. At this time a Hari Bhakt called Khima Suthar came into the sabha. He did dandvat pranam to Maharaj and gave a double threaded Kanthi to Maharaj which was made from coconut shell. Maharaj was holding a sabha in Gadhada at Dada Khachars Darbar, and the Sadhus and Hari Bhaktos were listening attentively to what Maharaj was saying.

8. Bhaktos, were all pleased when they saw the Kanthi. This is when said that from now on, all people in our Sampraday must wear a Kanthi such as this one, but made either from Tulsi or Sukhad (Sandal Wood). All the Santos and the Hari Bhaktos accepted Maharaj’s agna. Maharaj liked this Kanthi so much that He gave His Shawl to Khima Suthar. Muktanand Swami, Bhramanand Swami, Gopalanand Swami and all the other Santos, as well as the Hari

9. Maharaj said, ”You can get as much Sukhad as you want from Surat, so go to Surat to get it” Abiding by Maharaj’s agna, Khima Suthar went to Surat and purchased sukhad and made double threaded Kanthis from it. However, there was no sandal wood in the surrounding villages and towns. Khima Suthar said, “Maharaj there is no sukhad any where around here, what shall we do?”

10. When Maharaj showed Yampuri to Nishkulanand Swami, he explained that the people that wear both the Chandlo and the Kanthi, cannot be touched by Yamraj at their time of death. Having Chandlo is of great value. It protects you from wordly bondage whilst maintaining the body as holy as the Temple of God. It eliminates any sins committed during the day.