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Sacred sandalwood
Sandalwood or sukhad is the most sacred tree for the Parsi community because its sweet smell pleases Ahura Mazda when it is burned in our fire temples.
A mature tree of 40 years provides the most fragrant wood which is used in fire temples all over India. The fragrance is due to the scented oil contained in the heartwood. There is no smell in the sap wood. The root portion is very costly as it is rich in oil. This most valuable tree is indigenous to southern India, particularly Mysore. One should visit Satyamangalam, the government sandalwood depot in Karnataka state. The wood of this tree is reddish brown, hard, compact and close grained. Excellent carving can be done on sandalwood by sculptors.
Sandalwood is extensively used for offering boi, maachi and other spiritual ceremonies.
A mature tree of 40 years provides the most fragrant wood which is used in fire temples all over India. The fragrance is due to the scented oil contained in the heartwood. There is no smell in the sap wood. The root portion is very costly as it is rich in oil. This most valuable tree is indigenous to southern India, particularly Mysore. One should visit Satyamangalam, the government sandalwood depot in Karnataka state. The wood of this tree is reddish brown, hard, compact and close grained. Excellent carving can be done on sandalwood by sculptors.
Sandalwood is extensively used for offering boi, maachi and other spiritual ceremonies.
PIROSHA M. TAMBOLI
Navsari
Navsari
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