Why Chandan/ Sandalwood is used in Lord Shiva Puja and why is it auspicious?

September 11 2025, 11 min reading time

Why Sandalwood or Chandan is used to worship Lord Shiva and Abhishekam? Is it because Lord Shiva is prone to good smell? We saw it in Ittar also? Or anything else? Know more here.

Why Chandan/ Sandalwood is used in Lord Shiva Puja and why is it auspicious?

There is something deeply calming about walking into a Lord Shiva temple as the soft ringing of the bells, the cool stone floors under your feet, and the unmistakable fragrance of sandalwood in the air.

If you’ve ever paused during a puja, you may have noticed how priests gently smear chandan, or sandalwood paste, on the Shiva Lingam or offer it during abhishek (ritual bathing). It might seem like a simple tradition, but this act carries centuries of meaning and reverence.

Why is this fragrant wood, so humble yet so sacred, considered such an essential part of Lord Shiva’s worship?

The answer lies not just in mythology, but also in the very nature of sandalwood itself as its cooling touch, purifying qualities, and quiet ability to draw the mind inward.

Understanding this connection helps us see Shiva Puja not merely as a ritual, but as a practice that harmonizes body, mind, and spirit in the most natural way.

What is the divine connection between Sandalwood and Lord Shiva?

The divine connection between sandalwood and Lord Shiva lies in the harmony of their very natures. Lord Shiva is often described as both the destroyer and the calm yogi, a deity of fiery cosmic energy who simultaneously embodies absolute stillness.

Sandalwood, with its natural cooling and soothing qualities, is believed to balance this intensity. When devotees apply sandalwood paste to the Shiva Lingam, it is seen as offering comfort to the deity who holds the world’s poison in his throat and carries the heat of the cosmic fire in his third eye.

In this way, the act is not just ritualistic but deeply symbolic as it represents calming our own inner chaos and inviting the peace that Lord Shiva himself radiates. This belief makes sandalwood a bridge between the human heart seeking solace and the divine energy of Lord Shiva that promises liberation.

Another aspect of this connection is rooted in purity and fragrance. Sandalwood, unlike other woods, retains its sweet aroma for decades, signifying eternal virtue and unwavering devotion as the qualities that align perfectly with Lord Shiva’s ascetic yet compassionate nature.

Its fragrance is said to attract divine vibrations, making the surroundings spiritually charged during worship. For devotees, offering sandalwood is like presenting their purest emotions and surrender at the feet of the Lord, without the need for grandeur or excess.

The simplicity of this offering resonates with Lord Shiva’s own detachment from materialism, making sandalwood not just a ritualistic substance but a medium of heartfelt dialogue between the devotee and the divine.

How does Sandalwood act as a balance of Lord Shiva’s fiery energy and provide the cooling effect?

Sandalwood is often described in our scriptures and folk traditions as “sheeta”, meaning naturally cool and calming. Lord Shiva, on the other hand, represents intense cosmic energy.

He is the one who holds poison in his throat, whose third eye can burn the universe to ashes, and whose very dance of Tandava is said to shake creation itself. While Lord Shiva embodies supreme peace in meditation, he also holds within him this fiery force of destruction and transformation.

Offering sandalwood paste to him is a way for devotees to symbolically soothe and balance this energy. It’s as though we are saying, “We honor your power, but may it remain in harmony so it blesses rather than destroys.”

In a very human sense, sandalwood becomes the bridge that calms the heat of divine energy just as it cools our own restlessness when applied to the body.

This cooling effect isn’t just spiritual symbolism as it’s something we feel physically and emotionally too. When sandalwood paste is applied to the Shiva Lingam during Puja, the fragrance spreads through the temple, quieting the mind and softening the atmosphere.

Devotees who touch the paste to their foreheads often feel a literal coolness, especially at the spot of the “ajna chakra,” or third eye, which is believed to govern clarity and intuition.

What is the significance of Sandalwood in purification and spiritual upliftment?

Sandalwood has always been cherished in Indian traditions not just for its soothing fragrance but for its deep connection to purification. When sandalwood paste is applied during rituals, it is believed to cleanse not only the physical space but also the subtle energies around us.

Its cooling nature is said to calm restless emotions, helping us let go of anger, stress, and negativity that cloud the mind.

In ancient practices, this was important because purification wasn’t only about washing away dirt; it was about preparing the heart and soul to be receptive to divine grace. The simple act of offering sandalwood, with its pure aroma and gentle feel, symbolizes surrendering impurities and starting anew with clarity and devotion.

Beyond purification, sandalwood plays a quiet yet powerful role in spiritual upliftment. Its fragrance is naturally meditative as the kind that instantly slows your breath and quiets inner chatter, which is why saints and yogis have used it for centuries during deep meditation. By engaging the senses in something so pure, it becomes easier to turn inward and connect with higher consciousness.

In many temples, sandalwood tilak is applied on the forehead, particularly over the spot believed to house the “third eye,” or the seat of intuition. This isn’t just symbolic; many devotees describe feeling calmer and more focused afterward, almost as if a subtle burden has been lifted. In this way, sandalwood transforms worship from a mere ritual into a deeply personal, uplifting experience for the soul.

Why did our ancestors choose Sandalwood to worship Lord Shiva? What are its scientific benefits?

Our ancestors were remarkably observant of nature. They didn’t just pick offerings for worship randomly as every element had a deeper meaning and purpose. When it came to sandalwood, they saw a tree that was rare, pure, and carried a fragrance that never faded, even after years. This eternal aroma symbolized qualities they associated with Lord Shiva as timelessness, calmness, and purity.

In ancient times, life was closely tied to nature, and rituals were meant to harmonize the human mind with the cosmic forces. The cooling property of sandalwood balanced Lord Shiva’s fiery energy, represented by his third eye and the poison he held in his throat.

Offering sandalwood paste was like extending a gesture of care to the deity, a way of saying, “May we absorb your calm and serenity into our own restless lives.” It also taught people simplicity, that devotion wasn’t about grandeur but about choosing something pure and meaningful.

From a scientific perspective, the use of sandalwood in worship is even more fascinating. Modern studies confirm what our ancestors intuitively knew: sandalwood has natural cooling and anti-inflammatory properties.

Applying it to the forehead reduces body heat and soothes the nervous system, which is why devotees feel calmer during prayers. Its aroma is proven to lower stress levels and even slow down an overactive heart rate, making meditation easier and more focused.

Why does Chandan represent purity and detachment?

Chandan, or sandalwood, has always been seen as a symbol of purity because of its very nature. Unlike most woods, sandalwood retains its fragrance for decades, even after being cut, ground into paste, or exposed to the elements.

This quality makes it a natural metaphor for inner virtue as staying fragrant and unspoiled regardless of what life throws at you. In spiritual terms, purity is not about being flawless; it’s about remaining true to your essence even amidst challenges.

When devotees offer sandalwood paste to Lord Shiva, it reflects their wish to cleanse themselves of ego, anger, and negativity, presenting only the purest part of their being in prayer.

Chandan is equally connected with detachment, a quality Lord Shiva himself embodies. The fragrance of sandalwood spreads everywhere but remains unattached to the object it touches, just like how we are encouraged to live in the world but not be bound by it.

In Hindu philosophy, detachment does not mean running away from life; it means experiencing everything fully but without clinging to it.

Offering chandan at Lord Shiva’s feet is a quiet reminder of this lesson. It encourages devotees to rise above material cravings and live with a sense of balance, to be fragrant in character, yet free from the need to possess or control.

In this way, chandan becomes more than an offering; it becomes a teacher, silently guiding us toward the path of inner freedom and peace.

How Sandalwood is used in Shiva Puja?

In traditional Shiva worship, Chandan (sandalwood) is used in various sacred ways, each carrying deep spiritual significance. One of the most common practices is applying it as a Tilak (forehead marking), a vertical stripe of sandalwood paste on the Shiva Lingam or idol, symbolizing Lord Shiva’s third eye, the seat of wisdom and divine vision.

Devotees also apply this tilak on their own foreheads to absorb Shiva’s blessings and enhance spiritual awareness.

Another important ritual is Abhishekam (ritual bathing), where sandalwood paste is mixed with sacred substances like water, milk, or rose water and gently poured over the Shiva Lingam.

This not only cools the deity’s fiery energy but also creates a serene atmosphere, helping worshippers feel a deeper connection with the divine. Additionally, sandalwood plays a key role in incense and dhoop (sacred fumigation) as its powdered form is burned as fragrant smoke during puja, filling the air with a pure, meditative aroma that is said to please Lord Shiva and purify the surroundings.

Why is Sandalwood auspicious in Hinduism?

Apart from its sacred use in Shiva puja, sandalwood holds a deeply auspicious status in Hinduism for several significant reasons. Firstly, it is revered as one of the "Dravya" (sacred substances) in Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, where it is valued for its cooling, healing, and purifying properties as both physically and spiritually.

Its rich, soothing fragrance is believed to attract positive energies while acting as a natural barrier against negative forces and evil spirits, making it a common choice in rituals to cleanse spaces and invite divine blessings.

Additionally, sandalwood has long been associated with luxury and divinity, often reserved for kings, temples, and high-status ceremonies due to its rarity and exquisite aroma.

In royal courts and grand religious events, sandalwood paste, oil, or incense were symbols of opulence and sanctity, further elevating its status as a divine offering. This unique blend of medicinal, spiritual, and cultural significance makes sandalwood not just a ritual item but a bridge between earthly purity and heavenly grace.

Therefore, using sandalwood in Lord Shiva’s worship is not just a ritual but a beautiful blend of science, spirituality, and tradition. It cools the mind, purifies the soul, and deepens our connection with the divine.

The next time you apply Chandan on a Shiva Lingam or your forehead, remember as you’re not just following a custom; you’re embracing an ancient practice that harmonizes body, mind, and spirit in the presence of the great Yogi, Lord Shiva.

Written by: Nikita, Content Writer, Rudraksha Hub

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