Sandalwood
Spiritual significance
The fragrance of Chandana is said to be the only earthly scent that pleases all gods equally. Ground into paste with water on a stone slab, it forms the tilak applied at every puja. The cooling property of the wood is symbolic of the cooling of passions through bhakti — even when burnt, it perfumes the axe that fells it.
Planting muhurta
Chaitra Shukla Pratipada / Akshaya Tritiya / Friday during Anuradha Nakshatra
Saplings planted at these moments are believed to carry the blessings of the associated deity and the fertile cosmic energies of the chosen tithi or nakshatra.
Traditional uses
- •Chandana tilak applied to deity and devotees during puja
- •Paste smeared on the murti during abhisheka
- •Incense and dhoop sticks made from heartwood
- •Mala beads carved for japa, especially of Vishnu mantras
- •Traditional Ayurvedic cooling preparations for skin
- •Funeral pyre wood for the spiritually accomplished
Health-related uses reflect traditional Ayurvedic practice. Not medical advice — consult a qualified physician.
Puranic legend
The Mahabharata mentions Chandana as growing in abundance on the Malaya hills of South India, guarded by serpents whose cool bodies were drawn to the trees cooling sap. The Skanda Purana describes how the rishi Agastya carried Chandana saplings south from the Himalayas, planting them across the Western Ghats where they thrive to this day.