Haridas Madhavdas Sugandhi of Pune (HMS) have a long established presence as an Indian incense house, though are best known in the West as the supplier for a number of own brand importers such as TOI, Happy Hari, Primo, Gokula, Bhagwan, Prasad Gifts Celestial, etc. They are also recognised for their heavy use of vanilla crystals to strengthen and prolong the incense scent, which tends to give most of their incenses a sweet vanilla base.
According to the HMS website, the family started making incense in 1860 when brothers Haridas and Madhavdas Sugandhi opened up an incense manufacturing business in Poona for the local market. I find it curious and noteworthy that Sugandhi means fragrance, and is also the given surname of the family. The business is today run by Nandkumar and Anil Sugandhi, the great-grandsons of the founders. The HMS website states that " our sustainable approach includes eco-friendly, charcoal-free products that significantly diminish air pollution. By harvesting the remains of gums, resins and barks, we prioritise optimal waste management." Such words are fairly common on Indian incense websites, and need untangling. You'll note that the masala paste on HMS incense sticks is charcoal black, which seems odd given the claim they don't use charcoal. My understanding is that a number of incense companies are nowadays using coconut charcoal rather than wood charcoal, and I assume that is what HMS are referring to. Burning coconut charcoal still releases harmful carbons into the atmosphere, but less trees are cut down.
HMS employ 50 workers on making the masala paste, packing, etc, and "more than 500 women" on a freelance arrangement where they work at home in their own time to roll the paste onto sticks.
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| The family premises in Pune |
According to the HMS website, the family started making incense in 1860 when brothers Haridas and Madhavdas Sugandhi opened up an incense manufacturing business in Poona for the local market. I find it curious and noteworthy that Sugandhi means fragrance, and is also the given surname of the family. The business is today run by Nandkumar and Anil Sugandhi, the great-grandsons of the founders. The HMS website states that " our sustainable approach includes eco-friendly, charcoal-free products that significantly diminish air pollution. By harvesting the remains of gums, resins and barks, we prioritise optimal waste management." Such words are fairly common on Indian incense websites, and need untangling. You'll note that the masala paste on HMS incense sticks is charcoal black, which seems odd given the claim they don't use charcoal. My understanding is that a number of incense companies are nowadays using coconut charcoal rather than wood charcoal, and I assume that is what HMS are referring to. Burning coconut charcoal still releases harmful carbons into the atmosphere, but less trees are cut down.
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| Some of the HMS workers |
HMS employ 50 workers on making the masala paste, packing, etc, and "more than 500 women" on a freelance arrangement where they work at home in their own time to roll the paste onto sticks.
Reviews
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| Pure Incense Connoisseur Nepal Musk (M) July 2017 - Score: 46 |
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| Bhagwan Incense Hari Leela Masala (M) Oct 2023 - Score: 44 |
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March 2024 - Score: 39 |
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| Primo Chaitanya / Gaura Absolute Chaitanya / Gokula Mystic Champa (M) Feb 2024 - Score: 38 |
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| (HMS) Bhagwan Incense Patchouli (PM) March 2024 - Score: 37 |
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| (HMS) Primo Blue Lotus (M) Feb 2024 - Score: 34 |
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| Primo Cedarwood Gokula Gaura Absolute Cedarwood (M) Aug 2019 - Score: 33 |
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Feb 2024: 31↓ |
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| Primo Connoisseur Patchouli / Gokula Gaura Super Patchouli Sticks (M) Nov 2021 - Score: 30 |
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| Pure Incense Classic Frankincense (M) March 2021 - Score: 30 |
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| Primo Agarwood / Gaura Absolute Agarwood (M) Feb 2024 - Score: 28 |
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| Primo Sandalwood / Gokula Sandalwood & Vanilla / Gaura Absolute Sandalwood (M) Feb 2024 - Score: 28 |
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| HMS Primo Incense Nepal Musk (M) July 2017 - Score: 26 |
Incenses: 13
Top score: 46
Top score: 46
Low score: 26
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