This is a charming thing - rope incense. Sandalwood powder is placed into rice paper like tobacco into a cigarette paper, though quite a long cigarette, even longer than a joint, and then twisted into shape, as seen in this video. It is a cottage industry in Nepal, with the work being done by women. Though Nepal rope incense is sold around the world, it is not hugely popular or commercially successful as it doesn't have the marketing power of companies like HEM, Nippon Kodo, or Satya. I suspect most people buy it because it's both cute and quirky, and warmly ethnic and traditional.
There are several ways of burning rope incense. The rope is quite light and stable, so can be placed upright in a clay dhoop holder with sufficient sized hole (which is bigger than than for the typical joss stick / bamboo core incense stick), or a specially designed one. Or it can be hung from a special rope incense burner. Or, like me, you can improvise and using a spoon or other metal instrument placed though the twisted hole, balance the spoon over a container, such as a small vase or pot.
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| It will fit into a standard thin dhoop holder |
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| Or a purpose made holder, which is sometimes sold with the rope |
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| Or you can get a purpose made dangling rope holder |
The scent is a modest everyday sandalwood, as would be expected. It's not a heavenly sandalwood, and is not intended to be. This is for everyday casual use - sandalwood to cleanse the house and invigorate with a pleasing scent. There are no off scents - the rice paper burns without notice, so it is a pure sandalwood scent, quite clean if basic.
I like it. A delightful experience!
Date: Sept 2021 Score: 28
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