Many devotees take a sankalp (resolution) to complete one lakh (1,00,000) repetitions of a name or mantra — for a festival, a wish, or simply as an offering. It sounds huge, but broken into daily malas it is very achievable.
The maths: how many malas is 1 lakh?
One mala is 108 repetitions. 1,00,000 ÷ 108 = 925.9, so you need 926 malas to complete one lakh. (Many people round up to make sure the count is complete.)
Choose a plan that fits your day
- Gentle — 10 malas a day: about 93 days (roughly 3 months).
- Steady — 16 malas a day: about 58 days (roughly 2 months).
- Focused — 31 malas a day: about 30 days (1 month).
- Intense — 51 malas a day: about 19 days.
Time depends on the length of your name or mantra. A short name like "Ram" or "Radhe" may take 3–5 minutes per mala, while a longer mantra can take 8–10 minutes. Time yourself for one mala and multiply before you choose a plan.
How much time does 1 lakh Ram naam take?
Chanting "Ram" at a steady pace takes roughly 4 minutes per mala (108 names). The table below shows the daily time needed for each plan:
| Malas / day | Minutes / day | Days to finish |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | ~40 min | ~93 days |
| 16 | ~64 min (~1 hr) | ~58 days |
| 21 | ~84 min (~1.5 hr) | ~45 days |
| 31 | ~124 min (~2 hr) | ~30 days |
| 51 | ~204 min (~3.5 hr) | ~19 days |
Times assume ~4 min per mala for "Ram". Longer mantras will take more time — time yourself for one mala first.
A lakh of names is built one sincere name at a time.
Tips to finish your sankalp
- Split the day: for example half your malas in the morning and half in the evening.
- Use spare moments: commutes and waiting time can add several malas a day.
- Fix a start and end date: starting on an auspicious day can add motivation. See how to take a jap sankalp.
- Track honestly: record your malas every day so you always know where you stand.
- Don't give up after a miss: continue the next day and catch up gently.
- Keep the bhava: the number is a support — the love behind each name matters most.
Completing the sankalp
When you finish, many devotees offer thanks with a small puja, a temple visit, an aarti, or by feeding others. Then rest for a few days — or set your next goal.
For staying consistent over weeks, read 5 ways to build a lasting chanting habit. Choosing a name? See Ram Naam Jap or Radha Naam Jap.
Frequently asked questions
How many malas are needed for 1 lakh jap?
1,00,000 ÷ 108 = 925.9, so you need 926 malas to complete one lakh repetitions.
How long will 1 lakh jap take?
At 10 malas a day it takes about 93 days; at 16 malas about 58 days; at 31 malas about 30 days.
What if I miss a day during my sankalp?
Simply continue the next day, and if possible add one or two extra malas over the following days to catch up gently.
How much time does it take to chant 1 lakh Ram naam?
At ~4 minutes per mala, 926 malas take about 62 hours total. Spread over 30 days (31 malas/day) that is about 2 hours a day; over 90 days (10 malas/day) about 40 minutes a day.
Ready to start your practice?
Free mantra counter for your daily Naam Jap — rated 4.6★ on Google Play.
