Punugu is a rare, naturally aromatic substance traditionally used in Hindu temples for abhishekam and tilak, including in the worship of Lord Venkateswara. It is sourced from the civet cat, also commonly called the Punugu cat, and has a naturally thick, gel-like consistency.
Genuine Punugu has a very distinctive, animal-like musky fragrance. It does not smell like sandalwood, javadhu or other familiar pooja fragrances. Deiveegaa sources Punugu from Africa, after which it is carefully cleaned and packed without mixing it with herbs, ghee, wax, oils or other fillers.
Although pure Punugu has a gel-like consistency, it is traditionally and commonly referred to as Punugu Thailam, Punugu Oil or Punugu Paste. In Indian usage, substances of this consistency have long been described as thailam or oil, which is why these names continue to be widely used.
Punugu is traditionally offered to deities during abhishekam and is also applied as a tilak on the forehead. In many Hindu families, Punugu is considered a sacred substance and is traditionally believed to bring divine blessings and help with difficulties related to prosperity, family life and emotional well-being.
Deiveegaa supplies Punugu for devotional use and follows a sourcing process in which the civet cat is not harmed. Because genuine Punugu is rare and difficult to source, pure Punugu is very different from many inexpensive products in the market that may contain blended fragrances or other ingredients.
