Last Updated on September 24, 2024 by Jade and Deeshen

The Rudraksha Forest Kauai is a unique and beautiful place located near the Kauai Hindu Monastery, which houses the forest and the famous Iraivan Temple. It’s the only Rudraksha grove in the entire Western Hemisphere, making it a significant site for both spiritual and botanical interest.

The Rudraksha Forest in Kauai is an incredibly beautiful, enchanting and calming place. You can expect to experience beautiful trees with intertwined roots, with blue seeds that fall on the ground, and an ancient Ganesh statue.

As locals and Hawaii travel writers, we love visiting Hawaii temples because of its incredible aura, and we are excited to share everything we know about the Sacred Rudraksha Forest with you.

Readers also love our free Hawaii packing list (the one I wish I had when I first visited Hawaii)! And our guide on 8 Kauai Buddhist Temples you can visit.

But first, here are the best tours for Kauai: (yes, you should book in advance and early in your trip!)

• ⭐Kauai: Na Pali Coast Full-Day Boat Tour – Seeing the Napali coast by boat is a must-do in Hawaii! (We LOVED this!) In this tour, you’ll visit see the most beautiful mountain ranges in Hawaii, explore caves by boat, and snorkeling at the Forbidden Isle of Niihau.
  
  
• ⭐Kauai: Best Luau with Buffet Dinner – Kauai’s award-winning luau with graceful hula dancers, traditional fire knife dancing, artisan craft fair, lei greeting, and a buffet!
  
  
• ⭐Kauai: Best Helicopter Tour – See the impressive Jurassic Falls, the expansive Waimea Canyon, and the dramatic cliffs of the Na Pali Coast.

Rudraksha Forest Kauai

In 1978, Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (Gurudeva) planted 108 trees with his own hands. He dedicated this forest to pilgrims and all Kauaians, inviting them to sit among the sacred trees anytime from 8am to 4pm each day, to rest, meditate, have a picnic or tell stories to their children.

Today, the forest consists of over 100 Rudraksha trees, also known as “blue marble trees” due to the distinctive cobalt blue color of their fruit. When dried, the fruits are about one-inch diameter and often used to make prayer beads. Hindus wear the beads for protection. The trees are over fifty feet tall and produce hundreds of thousands of fruits each year.

These trees are native to the Himalayan foothills and hold deep religious significance in Hinduism.  The tree is considered very special because there are only two known trees species on the Earth that create color using refraction and not reflection: a deep-sea crustacean and Eleocarpus ganitrus, the Rudraksha tree. 

The fruit of the Rudraksha tree is edible but very tasty. It contains a pit that is considered sacred and used to make japa malas (prayer beads) for meditation and chanting mantras. In Ayurveda, Rudraksha seeds, ground with healing herbs, are given to patients of heart disease to strengthen the cardiac muscle.

There are many tales surrounding the Rudraksha, one legend speaks of compassion. In the story, Lord Shiva gazes down on the Earth, witnessed the suffering humanity and cried a single tear which rolled down his cheek. As it touched the ground, it sprouted into the first Rudraksha tree. That is why the word Rudraksha itself translates to “the eye or tear of Shiva”. They remind Hindus of God’s compassion for humanity’s predicament.

Trees possess what is known as Prana, Chi, or Mana, a special life energy. Trees receive global life force energy from both the soil and the sky as they grow from the ground up. In Hawaiian, Polynesian, and Tahitian culture, mana is a spiritual force and healing power found in places, people, and items.

Mana is said to be stronger and more concentrated in specific locations, such as the top rim of the Haleakalä volcano on Maui, the Taputapuatea marae on Raiatea in Tahiti, and here in Kauai Rudraksha Forest. I believe that a place has memory, and the mana concentrated over time in a place creates a greater force. Come with an open mind and heart, and leave with gratitude.

Can you take Rudraksha from Kauai?

The temple does not have a rule that you cannot take Rudraksha from the forest, in fact many visitors come for that reason.

You might be wondering, Can you take Rudraksha from Kauai or bring rudraksha from Hawaii to other countries? If you collect beads from the forest, be aware that you may not be allowed to take them out of Hawaii due to the following regulation.

The APHIS prohibits or restricts the movement of many agricultural products from Hawaii into the U.S. mainland, Alaska, and Guam. These include most fresh fruits and vegetables and certain plants, such as flowers. That’s because these items could be harbor an invasive pest or disease. Learn more about what can’t you bring back from Hawaii.

Rudrakshas that are suitable for export or plane travel are readily available in the Kauai Hindi Monastary’s gift shop. (1 minute drive away) The beads have been turned into necklaces, bracelets, and other jewelery such as below.

Rudraksha Forest in Kauai – Planning Your Visit

Address: Sacred Rudraksha Forest, 7345 Kuamoo Rd, Kapaʻa, HI 96746
I’ll share details on how to get to it by car, bus, uber and taxi later.

Opening Hours:
The monastery grounds, including the Rudraksha Forest, are open to the public from 9 AM to 12 PM daily. It is advisable to check ahead for any changes in timings or special events that might affect visitor access.

What to do at Kauai Rudraksha Forest?

• Admire the Rudraksha Trees: Known scientifically as Elaeocarpus ganitrus, these trees are revered for their seeds, which are used to make prayer beads. The forest provides a peaceful environment for meditation and reflection.
  
• Quiet Reflection: Use the meditation spots to fully experience the peacefulness of the forest.
  
  
• Guided Tours and Gift Shop: Sign up for the educational tours at the monastry (0.5 miles from the forest) to learn more about the spiritual and historical significance of the Rudraksha Forest and the monastery. Visit the gift shop and learn about the temple.
  
  You may come across a monk. The monastery’s monks follow a strict regimen of worship, yoga, and service.
  
• Fallen Seeds: Visitors can often find fallen Rudraksha seeds on the forest floor.
  
  
• Stone Statue of Ganesha: At the entrance of the forest, visitors are greeted by a stone statue of Ganesha, the Hindu elephant god, symbolizing wisdom and new beginnings.
  
  
• Meditation Spots: The forest features designated areas where visitors can sit and meditate, enhancing their spiritual experience.
  
  
• Iraivan Temple: Located within the monastery grounds, this rare granite temple carved in India and Kauai is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is a central point of worship.
  
  
• Botanical Gardens: The monastery grounds also feature lush gardens with a variety of tropical plants and flowers, adding to the overall serene ambiance.
  
  
• Picnic Areas: The forest features picnic tables scattered throughout the grove, perfect for a quiet picnic lunch amidst nature.
  
  
• Scenic Trails: Enjoy walking through the serene trails lined with rudraksha trees, offering a tranquil experience.

For more information, visitors can check the official website of the Kauai Aadheenam Hindu Monastery.

How to get to Sacred Rudraksha Forest in Kauai?

By Car

Rent a Car: Renting a car is a convenient option for getting around Kauai. You can rent a car from Lihue Airport or other car rental services on the island. The drive from Lihue Airport takes about 22 minutes.

• Directions: From Lihue, take Highway 56 north towards Kapa’a. Continue on Highway 56, then take a left onto Highway 580 (Kuamo’o Road). Drive for about 1.5 miles. Turn right onto Kaholalele Road. Follow the signs to the Kauai Hindu Monastery and Sacred Rudraksha Forest.
  
• Parking: There is a small parking area with a couple of parking stalls are available near the gate.

By Bus

Kauai Bus: The public bus system on Kauai is limited. However, the Route 850 bus route operated by Kauai Bus runs between Lihue and Wailua Homesteads, which is near the Sacred Rudraksha Forest.

• Route: Check the Moovit app or Kauai Bus website for the most up-to-date schedule and route information. You’ll likely need to walk or take a taxi from the bus stop to the Forest since it’s located off the main road.

By Uber or Taxi

This is the easiest option if you don’t want to deal with driving or figuring out the bus schedule. Just open the Uber app or call a taxi company and let them know your destination.

Here are some taxi companies on Kauai:

• Kauai Taxi Association: +1 808-822-5555
• A Paradise Taxi: +1 808-635-5555
• Aloha Taxi & Tours: +1 808-245-TAXI (8294)

Which Hawaii island has Rudraksha forest?

Kauai is the only Hawaiian island (and only place in the US) where you can find a Rudraksha forest. It is a great opportunity to pick up your own rudrakshas from the forest floor. You can even find the occasional 4 faced ones.

Rudraksha Forest Kauai Final Thoughts

We hope you found this guide on visiting Rudraksha Forest Kauai helpful! Rudraksha Forest in Kauai is definitely worth a visit. Have you visited Rudraksha Forest Kauai? If yes, tell us about your experience below!