Goloka Davanam (Organica / Natural Series)

 

This Organica series has been around since at least 2018 with six Indian focused fragrances (Davanam, Astagandha, Frangipani, Kastoori, Sandalwood, and Sri Tulasi), though appears to have been joined at some point with four additional scents with a Native American focus (Palo Santo, White Sage, Lavender & White Sage, and Sandalwood & White Sage). They are distributed in the US by Om Imports, and in the UK by Puckator. Sold in the UK at around £1.50 per 15gm pack, and in the US at $2.00 per pack. The Organica name appears to have been replaced at some point with Natural, so while outlets still refer to them as Organica, it appears that Goloka want them to be known as Natural. I have noted other Indian incense companies moving away from using the term "organic" for incense exported  to the West - this may be due to legal pressure to have companies pay for certification in order to label products as organic. Most products in India would be naturally organic, but the farmers couldn't afford to pay for certification. 

These are classic Bangalore sticks - hand-rolled perfumed masala with a heady fragrance on the stick. The fragrance is traditional (or nostalgic, depending on your age) - warm, woody, perfumed, slightly sweet, mildly exotic, gently floral. It's an attractive scent - quite compelling. The classic Indian balance of sandalwood and floral. It's a variation on the popular and successful theme of Nag Champa. 

The scent on the burn is attractive, following the same Nag Champa theme of sandalwood and floral, though also touched with some sweet citric. It perhaps burns a tad hot for comfort, but it does diffuse gently and pleasantly around the room. The floral element is a little playful, and morphs through various colours and tones of rose and begonia and gardenia into jasmine. Just a tad too floral for my taste, but the soft playfulness is enjoyable, and I like the heady but not aggressive blossom. 

Date: June 2025    Score: 35

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Goloka