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Decked in festive finery, the Bengali community comes together five days a year to pay respect to Goddess Durga and revel in the festivities and food during the annual Durga Puja celebrations. But, pujo celebrations are incomplete without the rhythmic beats of the dhaak, on which the devotees sway while holding a dhunuchi, as they perform the dhunuchi naach.
A dhunuchi is a traditional incense burner, typically made from earthenware or metal, shaped like a shallow bowl with a handle for easy holding (during the dance). Commonly used in Durga Puja rituals, the dhunuchi is filled with several sacred elements that produce aromatic smoke, offered to Goddess Durga as a sign of devotion.
Giving an insight, Dr Abhishek Ghosh, Dean of Faculty, Dharma Studies at Somaiya Vidyavihar University, said that dried coconut husk is used as the primary fuel, as it ignites quickly and burns slowly, sustaining the ritual for an extended period. “Camphor is added to the husk to enhance the flame and produce a fragrant, purifying smoke, symbolising devotion and cleansing. Incense, often made from aromatic resins like myrrh, is used to create a rich and soothing scent that fills the air,” he told indianexpress.com.
Dhunuchi naach is performed during Durga Puja, particularly in the last few days of the festival — between the eighth and tenth day of the celebration. It is an offering of joy, devotion, and reverence, celebrating the victory of Goddess Durga over her adversary Mahishasura. The ritual dance, with its swirling movements and hypnotic rhythm, helps participants and onlookers enter a heightened state of spiritual awareness and collective celebration.
“Resin, burning in the dhunuchi, produces aromatic smoke that purifies the air, symbolizing the cleansing of the soul and the environment to invite the presence of Goddess Durga. Myrrh further deepens the spiritual essence of the offering, as its rich, earthy fragrance is traditionally associated with divine connection and healing,” said Dr Ghosh.
The dhunuchi and the ritual associated with it carry deep religious and spiritual symbolism, particularly in the context of Durga Puja. “The dhunuchi symbolises the act of offering devotion to the goddess in a tangible, sensory form. The smoke produced from the burning coconut husks, camphor, and aromatic resins is believed to purify the space, dispel negativity, and invite the divine presence of Goddess Durga,” said Dr Ghosh.
According to him, the rising smoke represents the devotion of the worshippers, somewhat like a yajna, while the fragrant aroma is said to please the goddess and ensure her blessings. “This act also symbolises the transformation of material offerings into spiritual energy, elevating the connection between the devotee and the divine,” he concluded.
