Kartal Instrument

Kartal Instrument – Traditional ISKCON Musical Instrument

Pick up a pair of Kartal Instrument for the first time, and you will understand immediately why this instrument has been at the center of Vaishnava kirtan for five hundred years. The weight is right. The feel is right. And the moment those two brass plates come together, the ring that fills the air is something that no recording quite captures — you need to be holding them yourself to feel it travel up through your palms.

This kartal is crafted from quality brass and designed specifically for the rhythmic demands of ISKCON Kartal Instrument and bhajan. Whether you are setting up a home kirtan practice, replacing a worn-out pair, or buying your first set of kartals to participate in temple programs, this is the instrument that will serve you.

Available Weight Options

Kartal comes in five weight variants so you can choose the one that fits your playing style and stamina:

•         147 grams – Lightest option, ideal for children and beginners who are just finding their rhythm

•         220 grams – Good balance of ease and tone, suited for extended home kirtan sessions

•         265 grams – Full, resonant sound with manageable weight; popular among regular kirtan singers

•         270 grams – The most-used weight in temple kirtan settings, trusted by experienced devotees

•         280 grams – Heavier option for those who want a deeper, more projecting tone in large spaces

If you are unsure where to start, the 270-gram option is the standard choice for most devotees. It delivers the tone you hear in ISKCON temples without taxing your wrists during a long Maha Mantra kirtan.

Why This Kartal Stands Apart

There are Kartal Instrument available at many online stores, and most of them look identical in photographs. The difference shows up the first time you play them. The brass composition of these kartals is selected for resonance—the sustained ring after each strike, the clarity of tone at different playing speeds, and the way the sound carries across a room without becoming harsh.

These kartals are sourced through ISKCON Mayapur, the official temple store of one of the most significant Vaishnava pilgrimage sites in the world. Every item that carries the mayapur.store name is chosen with the standards of active temple use in mind. This is not a decorative piece. It is a working instrument.

How to Use 

Hold one cymbal in each hand, face to face. The striking motion comes from the wrist—a flat, controlled clap that brings both surfaces together cleanly. Avoid glancing blows, which produce a thin, scratchy sound. Aim for a flush contact between the two plates to get that full, singing ring. For kirtan, follow the mridangam or the lead vocalist and keep your rhythm steady. The kartal's job is to support the kirtan, not to lead it.

After each use, wipe down with a dry cloth and store in a cloth pouch to protect the finish and keep the pair together.

A Gift Worth Giving

Kartals from ISKCON Mayapur make a meaningful gift for any occasion in a devotee's life — initiation, Janmashtami, Gaura Purnima, or simply welcoming someone into their kirtan practice. Receiving kartals from the birthplace dhama of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is something that many devotees hold as especially significant.

Order today and bring the sound of Mayapur into your kirtan.