Bengaluru Sreehatta Sammelani · Puja Stories
DURGA PUJA TRADITIONS

When the dhaak gets louder and the smoke begins to rise.

If you have ever watched Dhunuchi Naach during Durga Puja, you know it is difficult to stand still. It is one of those moments when worship, music and celebration become the same thing.

What is Dhunuchi Naach?

Dhunuchi Naach is a devotional dance performed during Durga Puja, usually around aarti. A dhunuchi is a traditional incense burner, commonly made of earthenware. Burning coconut husk, camphor and incense create the thick fragrant smoke while dancers move to the rhythm of the dhaak.

It is not a performance first. It is an offering.

The sight can be spectacular, especially when experienced for the first time, but the tradition comes from worship. The dhunuchi is used during aarti and the dance becomes an expression of devotion to Maa Durga.

And then there is the dhaak. The rhythm builds, people gather around, the pandal fills with smoke and suddenly the entire space feels different. This is one of the experiences that photographs and videos never quite capture properly.

Come experience it with us

At BSS Durga Puja 2026, our programme includes Dhunuchi as part of the celebrations. You do not need to be Bengali or Sylheti to come and experience it. Bring your friends, bring your family and stay for the Puja, bhog, music and adda.

BSS Durga Puja 2026: 16–21 October at The Occasion, Hoodi. Bhog is served every Puja day from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM.

See the programmeAsk BSS on WhatsApp