Chandan

Chandan is the Indian name for sandalwood (specifically santalum album), which grows on the western ghats of the Indian subcontinent. In Hindu rituals, since antiquity chandan paste, prepared from the wood of the chandan tree, has occupied an important position of puja materials. On the forehead, a tilaka (mark) of Chandan paste is applied during pujas. Deities representing violent attributes are often smeared with chandan paste to cool them down.

Reference

• Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola