Every morning, flowers become an important part of pooja in many Indian homes. Marigolds, roses, jasmine and other flowers are offered to the deities, placed around diyas and used in garlands. But once the pooja is over, there is usually one question hovering over everyone’s mind: what to do with them?Many people throw them in rivers, parks or dustbins, but instead of polluting or putting them straight into the bin, you can give these flowers a second life by turning them into homemade dhoop.Used flowers have been explored as a material for making incense and dhoop, with the flowers being dried, powdered and combined with binding and fragrance ingredients before being shaped and dried again.The process at home is fairly simple and does not require any such complicated equipment.
What you need
•Used pooja flowers•makko powder or gum powder as binder•A little water or gulab jal•Sandalwood powder or another fragrance, if you want•Fragnant essential oils•A mortar and pestle or mixer•A tray or plate for dryingAll these things can be found at home or any nearby store. You can use flowers such as marigold, rose and jasmine. The important thing is to remove unwanted material such as plastic, threads, metal wires, leaves or other pieces that may have become mixed with the flowers.
Step 1: Dry the flowers properly
Image credit – Canva AI
This is probably the most important part of the process.Spread the used flowers out on a clean tray or cloth and allow them to dry completely. Keep them somewhere with good airflow and sunlight. Turn them occasionally so that all sides dry evenly.Do not rush this step. The flowers should become properly dry and crisp before you grind them. If they still contain moisture, the powder can become difficult to store and shape. If the sun is not out, the flowers can be put into an oven or on a stove with extremely low flame. We do not have to burn their natural oils.
Step 2: Turn the flowers into powder
Image credit- Canva AI
Once the flowers are completely dry, remove the stems and any remaining unwanted pieces.Put the dried petals into a mixer or grind them using a mortar and pestle. Try to get a reasonably fine powder. If there are larger pieces left behind, sieve the mixture and grind them again.
Step 3: Make the dhoop mixture
Image credit- Canva AI
Take the flower powder in a bowl and add natural gum or makko powder.A simple starting point is to use roughly equal quantities of flower powder and a suitable binder such as makko powder. You can adjust the amount depending on how easily the mixture holds together.Add a little water at a time and mix it slowly. You are looking for a dough-like consistency that can be pressed and shaped without becoming too wet.If you want a stronger fragrance, you can also add a small amount of sandalwood powder or another suitable incense fragrance.Some flower-reuse methods also use ingredients such as sawdust or coconut husk along with a binder to help create a mixture that can be shaped and burned.
Step 4: Shape your dhoop
Image Credit- Canva Ai
Seeing your dhoops take shape is the most fun part. You don’t necessarily need to make traditional long incense sticks. For a simple homemade version, take small portions of the mixture and shape them into little cones. Press the mixture firmly so that it holds its shape.
Step 5: Let them dry again
Image Credit- Canva AI
Place the freshly shaped dhoop on a clean tray and leave enough space between each piece.Let them dry completely in a dry, well-ventilated place. Depending on the weather and the size of the pieces, this can take a few days.Do not burn them while they are still damp. The mixture needs to be properly dry before you try using it.
A simple way to reuse something that would have been waste
What makes this DIY interesting is that the flowers have already been part of your pooja. Instead of immediately throwing them away once they begin to wilt, you can turn them into something that can be used again.The idea is also being explored beyond individual homes. Researchers and organisations have looked at ways of collecting discarded temple flowers and converting them into incense and other products, giving floral waste another use instead of simply sending it to waste streams.At home, you don’t need to make a large batch. Start with the flowers from a few days of pooja, dry them properly and experiment with the texture until you find a mixture that holds its shape.And the next time you look at a pile of dried marigolds or rose petals sitting after pooja, don’t be too quick to throw them away. With a little drying, grinding and shaping, those flowers can have a second life as homemade dhoop.
