Sold in the holy city of Vrindavan by Vrindavan Bazaar, who ship internationally under the name Hare Krshna Exports (not to be confused with Hare Krishna Das). There is uncertainty as to who makes the incense, or where. The sticks vary in production method and quality, so it is possible (likely?) that they are made by more than one operator. I've not yet found an incense maker in Vrindavan, though there is another outlet in the nearby town of Govardham - which sells incense and dhoop which it says it manufactures itself: Govardhan Wasi. There may be others. This Vrindavan incense is named after the town of Goverdhan because the local hill, Govardhan Hill, is where Krishna wandered with his brother.
The charcoal paste has been machine extruded onto a smooth machine-cut bamboo splint, and then rolled thinly into a fragrant finishing powder. I've just reviewed some white label sticks made in Mumbai by the Incense Collective for the Nitiraj brand: Purple Champa and Laxmi, both of which were made in the same way. It is of course possible that these sticks were made by the Incense Collective, or some other white label maker, such as HMS or VNS, both in Pune. Who knows. Somebody knows. Who cares. Somebody cares. I'm curious, and slightly frustrated, but it is what it is.
Scent on the stick is sandalwood, honey, and vanilla/benzoin. There's a mild cool volatility, and a faint sense of resin and rubber oil. It is an engaging, light, and attractive scent which leans toward being commercial, though also has a homely "incense" or "masala" quality which gives it some warmth.
The scent on the burn is soft and attractive. Similar in many ways to the incense houses in Pune and to Incense Collective (previously Fair Trade). There's a benzoin quality - vanilla and resin, with sandalwood, and a general sense of "incense". It is a delightful incense without being particularly special. Well made, somewhat well behaved, attractive, and - at a reasonably decent level - quite run of the mill for Indian masala incense. I like it. I'm not blown away, but this is a bloody good incense to have around the house, and is cheap as chips if you buy direct from Vrindavan.
The charcoal paste has been machine extruded onto a smooth machine-cut bamboo splint, and then rolled thinly into a fragrant finishing powder. I've just reviewed some white label sticks made in Mumbai by the Incense Collective for the Nitiraj brand: Purple Champa and Laxmi, both of which were made in the same way. It is of course possible that these sticks were made by the Incense Collective, or some other white label maker, such as HMS or VNS, both in Pune. Who knows. Somebody knows. Who cares. Somebody cares. I'm curious, and slightly frustrated, but it is what it is.
Scent on the stick is sandalwood, honey, and vanilla/benzoin. There's a mild cool volatility, and a faint sense of resin and rubber oil. It is an engaging, light, and attractive scent which leans toward being commercial, though also has a homely "incense" or "masala" quality which gives it some warmth.
The scent on the burn is soft and attractive. Similar in many ways to the incense houses in Pune and to Incense Collective (previously Fair Trade). There's a benzoin quality - vanilla and resin, with sandalwood, and a general sense of "incense". It is a delightful incense without being particularly special. Well made, somewhat well behaved, attractive, and - at a reasonably decent level - quite run of the mill for Indian masala incense. I like it. I'm not blown away, but this is a bloody good incense to have around the house, and is cheap as chips if you buy direct from Vrindavan.
Available at £1.08 for 20gm from Vrindavan Bazaar. They ship internationally at reasonable rates.
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DeleteHmm. I have a pack of Goverdhan from VB, mine are a floral scented stick, dark brown machine extruded paste with a lighter brown dusting, on a bright red stick. Maybe Goverdhan is the name of the person that randomly selects who gets what, rather than the scent itself?!
ReplyDeleteOther than the red stick, that sounds the same as mine. "Floral scented" would be a good description in retrospect. I got focused on the vanilla/benzoin and the sandalwood, but, yeah, floral fits very well. Mine was also extruded with a light dusting of brown powder.
DeleteMy assumption regarding the name is that it is a Krishna related name, which would assist sales in the town of Vrindavan which has many Krishna tourists. What would the hill where Krishna walked with his brother smell like? Floral would certainly figure in that. And vanilla to evoke the sweetness of Krishna's youth. And some woods to ground and balance the florals and the sweetness.
Yeah, I think I'll pay more attention to those aspects when I next review this stick, rather than ponder about who or where the stick was made! ;-)