Vrindavan Bazaar Parijata

 

Bought at £1 for 20gms as part of an online purchase from Vrindavan Bazaar, a devotional shop in the holy city of Vrindavan in northern India. My packet has a hand-written label which says "Special Parijat", but I ordered the Parijata, my delivery order confirms Parijata, and the shop doesn't appear to sell a Special Parijat, so I am reasonably confident that what I've got is the Parijata. Parijata (or Parijatha) is a night-scented jasmine - I've reviewed two previously: Aravinda's Parijata, and Goloka Nature's Parijatha. I liked the masala based Goloka more than the basic perfumed-charcoal Aravinda. Natch - but, here's the rub. This is a masala style incense but sold as cheap as an everyday perfumed-charcoal incense. Indeed, the Vrindavan Bazaar incense I've just reviewed, Prabhupada, was a machine-extruded perfumed-charcoal incense sold at the same price as this. Sometimes (well, most of the time to be honest guv) I don't understand how the Indian incense industry works. I'm OK with perfumed-charcoal incense - indeed, if the scent if well blended I can really enjoy a perfumed-charcoal incense. But my assumption is that people are going for the perfumed incense over the masala because it is quicker, easier, and cheaper to make, and therefore is sold at a lower price for a budget-minded audience. But, I suppose, there is also a direct simplicity about perfumed-charcoal which is part of the appeal. For a while I was quite positive toward the flexibility in scent range of perfumed-charcoal. That I found there were a greater number of scents to select from, and many of the scents were quite modern - not just another Rose, Patchouli, Jasmine, Sandalwood, etc, yawn. And I suppose I still have that thought tucked away in my back pocket; though I have always actually preferred the overall quality of masala style incense. Well, in a general sweeping remark sort of way. There are certainly plenty of individual masala style incenses I've loathed, and plenty of perfumed incenses I've swooned over. But in general, the sky is blue for masala, and a bit cloudy for perfumed. Anyway. This is the third night-scented jasmine incense I've reviewed, and the way things are going, this is going to be rated my favourite. Masala rules OK. 

Scent on the stick is tingly sweet and floral with caramel and Biscoff  touches. There's fascinating faecal spots which add to the interest. Ooh. It's a dirty, seductive invite. Floating deliciously between feminine and masculine. Oh gawd it's so naughty!  

The scent on the burn is intensely floral, but not in a sickly or heady way. It's a light floaty floral - very feminine and summery, but held in place by masculine, woody, earthy, autumnal notes like muddy boots tied to drifting floral petals by their laces. This is damn good stuff. I could bathe in this for ever.....

Nice one. 

Date: May 2025   Score: 41

***

   

Vrindavan Bazaar

Best jasmine incense