Carved Wooden Incense Holders – Handcrafted in Nepal

These hand carved incense holders are made from solid blocks of natural hardwood, shaped and finished in Nepal using traditional tools and methods. Designed to hold both stick and thicker Tibetan-style incense, each holder features four smaller holes around the edge for slim stick incense and one central hole designed for hand rolled, stickless varieties. The generous circular base helps to catch ash and protect the surrounding surface. Though different in wood and carving, both pieces are rooted in the same intention: to support mindful ritual, grounding presence and sacred space.

The dark wood holder is carved from Terminalia bellirica, also known locally as Saaj wood. This dense, richly grained hardwood is valued for its strength and fine texture, often used in spiritual and ceremonial crafts. The floral design on its surface is loosely based on the lotus, symbolising the unfolding of awareness. Flowers are a common offering across Buddhist and Hindu traditions, representing impermanence, reverence and the transitory nature of beauty. This design brings quiet grounding and understated elegance.

The light wood holder is made from Adina cordifolia, a pale golden hardwood commonly found across Nepal and northern India. Its soft grain and warm tone make it a popular choice for carved sacred objects. This holder features a defined lotus motif, a symbol of purity and resilience in Buddhist iconography. The lotus grows from muddy waters and rises clean above the surface, untouched by the conditions it comes from. It speaks of transformation, spiritual clarity and the journey toward liberation.

Both holders are made by hand, one by one, by Nepali artisans who have passed down these skills over generations. Natural variations in the wood grain and carving detail make each piece unique.

Incense in Ritual Practice

Incense has long played a role in spiritual traditions across the Himalayan region, used in homes, temples and ceremonies to purify the space, carry prayers, honour deities or support meditation. In Nepal, incense is considered a way to offer subtle presence and intention to the invisible world.

These holders are designed specifically for hand rolled incense, the kind traditionally made without sticks, glues or artificial perfumes. However, there are 4 holes for stick incense around the central bigger hole. Unlike mass produced incense, hand rolled blends are made from ground herbs, resins and oils, rolled carefully into thick strands. They burn slower, release natural aromas and are valued for their purity and ceremonial quality.

Dimensions:

Dark wood (Terminalia bellirica): 7 x 7 x 2 cm.
Light wood (Adina cordifolia): 5,5 x 5,5 x 2 cm.