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| Fourth review - scroll down for earlier reviews |
Revisiting Bic Panchavati as I am having a rummage and two packs of the long sticks turned up. Dhoop is an ancient method of processing combustible incense - blending burning material (usually very fine wood powder or charcoal) with fragrant ingredients and binders to ensure everything stays together and the stick burns slowly and evenly and distributes the aroma in a consistent and pleasant manner. Sometimes halmaddi is used to prevent the fragrance oils from evaporating and to boost their scent. The dhoop method was exported to other Asian countries, and is today the favourite way of producing combustible incense in Tibet and Japan. These small sticks fall somewhere in between the slightly thicker and rougher Tibetan sticks, and the thinner and more refined Japanese sticks. They are earthy and honest and quite delightful. I love the blend of delicate floral scents, mostly rose, though supported by jasmine and lotus, with the sweet, woody base of creamy sandalwood. These are a comfortable and familiar friend. They are not smoky or harsh - the smoke is warm and gentle, and soon fully informs the room with delicate, uplifting, sun-shining floral scent, supported with the strength and reassurance of creamy sandalwood. It is enveloping, reassuring, physically calming yet emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually stimulating and uplifting. Never harsh, assertive, or unpleasant. This is a most welcome incense friend.
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Date: Jan 2023 Score: 45
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| Third review |
I just revisited this again while comparing it to the Padmini Perfumed Dhoop Sticks. I do like these dhoops. The Padmini are very similar and very close in scent, but personally I prefer the Panchavati which seem to me to be more delicate, more subtle, more enchanting, and which mingle the base sandalwood scent more successfully with the top jasmine notes. Quite heavenly.
Date: Oct 2018 Score: 40
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| Second review |
I first reviewed these in 2013, and they have remained a favourite ever since. I buy loads of these. The scent is lovely - a refined sandalwood informed with floral notes of jasmine and rose; the combination is divine. Perhaps a bit more earthy and woody than Japanese incense, this suits me as I like the musky seductiveness of it. We use these for a variety of purposes because they are so flexible. The woody warmth is very welcoming, without being showy, so they are great for preparing the house for friends and casual visitors. They are quite strong without being in any way assertive, so they can wake up and refresh the house, as well as being useful to quickly cover up bad smells. They work on a personal level to lift my mood, or to relax with, and are great in the kitchen with a glass of wine while cooking. Great.
Date: March 2017 Score: 40
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| First review |
I love these little dhoop sticks. They are a great low cost everyday incense with a lasting fragrance. They come in a small box, with a metal edged hole to hold the sticks, which I sometimes use, though mostly I place them in a small sand filled brass pot. The fragrance is sweet, natural, very pleasant. I find the aroma very clean, with no off-notes, and quite uplifting. It has base notes of sandalwood, with flowery top notes of rose, lotus, and jasmine. Quite delightful.
Panchavati is a brand range of the Bic (Bharat Industrial Corporation) company of Bangalore, which have been established for over four decades. Panchavati is a holy site in what is now a slum area of the Indian city of Nashik. It is one of the most significant religious sites in India, and in rotation with three other holy sites, is a pilgrimage destitution for Kumbh Mela, the largest peaceful gathering in the world – involving over 100 million people in 2013.
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| The Panchavati area of Nashik |
Bought for £3.25 (including postage) for 12 packs from Indiabazaar on Amazon. There are a few other sources on the internet for Panchavati - the Incense-Man sells 12 boxes for £2.99 (postage extra), and he has a decent range of other incense to choose from; though Popat Stores sells 12 boxes for £1.50, and have the best value incense on the internet, and often stuff not found elsewhere.
Love the review and product!
ReplyDeleteBIC is a symbol of Quality.