Pacha karpuram (పచ్చ కర్పూరం, also spelt pacha karpooram) is edible camphor: clear, crystal-like camphor that is used a pinch at a time in naivedyam and theertham. In Hindi it is called kacha kapur or khane wala kapur, and in Tamil pachai karpooram. It is not the white camphor tablets that are burnt for harathi.
How it is used
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Prasadam and naivedyam – a tiny pinch in chakkara pongal, laddu, payasam or panakam gives the cool, temple-style aroma.
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Theertham – a few crystals with tulasi and elaichi in the water given as theertham after puja.
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Puja room – kept in a small open bowl for fragrance (it slowly evaporates).
Pacha karpuram vs harathi karpuram vs mudda karpuram
|
Looks like |
Used for |
| Pacha karpuram (this) |
Clear, glassy crystals |
A pinch in prasadam and theertham |
| Harathi karpuram |
White tablets |
Burnt for harathi – never eaten |
| Mudda karpuram |
White lumps |
Harathi and lighting the homam fire – never eaten |
How much to buy and how to store it
Because it is used a pinch at a time, a 50 g pack lasts most families several months. Keep it in a tightly closed glass or steel container – camphor evaporates if left open.
Please note: use only a small pinch in food, never more, and keep it away from small children. Do not use ordinary harathi camphor in food.
Questions families ask
What is pacha karpuram in English?
Edible camphor. In Hindi it is kacha kapur or khane wala kapur; in Tamil, pachai karpooram.
What is the difference between pacha karpuram and karpuram?
Pacha karpuram is the clear camphor used in tiny amounts in prasadam and theertham. Ordinary karpuram (harathi karpuram) is the white camphor burnt for harathi and is not meant to be eaten.
Can pacha karpuram be eaten?
Traditionally it is added in a very small pinch to prasadam such as pongal, laddu and payasam. Larger amounts of any camphor are harmful, so use only a pinch and keep it away from children.
Which pack size should I buy?
50 g is enough for home prasadam for several months. Choose 100 g if you make prasadam often or for temple or festival cooking.
Goes well with
Harathi karpuram (camphor tablets) · Mudda karpuram · Satyanarayana prasadam (sheera) recipe
Delivery: shipped across India, ₹100 flat delivery per order. Returns are accepted if an item arrives damaged, defective or wrong.
Buying for a whole puja? Send your samagri list on WhatsApp (+91 81210 07481) and we pack it together, or pick a ready puja samagri kit. For the Telugu, English and Hindi name of every item, see Telugu Pooja Samagri Names.
