Incense in The Wind: Vithaldas Narayandas & Sons

Tuesday, 19 December 2023

Vithaldas Narayandas & Sons - Vinasons

The Vinasons shop was founded in 1883 by Manmohandas Sugandhi, selling spices and essential oil (attar) - it later included incense sticks among its products, including at some point their own sticks, perfumed with their own attar (essential oil). The business name is based on Vithaldas Narayandas and his sons (V N and Sons - Vi Na Sons). The company is based in a shop in Pune with a good location on Bagade Road.

Vinasons shop in Budhwar Peth

The area of Pune where the shop is based is Budhwar Peth, which by day is a popular retail area. There are several incense houses, though it is especially known for electrical goods, and by night is even more popular for its girls. There are various articles and videos about the area's colourful nightlife, somewhat overshadowing its more sober daytime businesses.

Night-time girls in Budhwar Peth

Vinasons are one of a number of long established incense houses in Pune, though are perhaps somewhat shadowed in reputation in the West by their neighbours, the Haridas Madhavdas family, who supply a number of private label companies, such as Gokula, Pure, and Primo. However, Vinasons are a good quality incense family; as far as I'm aware, they don't supply private label companies, which is perhaps why they are not as well known in the West.