Sandhya Dhoop

Sandhya is the hinge of the day — the moment light turns. The evening dhoop marks it.

The practice

At dusk, open the windows. Light a stick of chandan dhoop, let the flame take, then blow it out so only the ember remains. Carry it once through every room, moving clockwise, then set it in a holder near the altar.

Sit for as long as the stick burns — about forty minutes for a full chandan stick, though five minutes is enough. Do nothing else.

Why sandalwood

Sandal is cooling in the Ayurvedic reckoning, which is why it is burnt in the evening rather than the morning. A blend with no charcoal filler burns pale and stays sweet to the end.