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[[File:Incense sticks in bangalore.jpg|right|thumb|320px|Incense being sold in a market in [[Bangalore]]]]

In India, [[incense]] sticks, also called '''Agarbatti''' (''Agar'': from Dravidian<ref>{{cite book | url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/burrow_query.py?page=4 | title=A Dravidian etymological dictionary | publisher=Oxford University Press | author=Burrow, T., and M. B. Emeneau | year=1984 | location=Oxfordshire | pages=4 | edition=2 | quote="Ta. akil (in cpds. akiṛ-) eagle-wood, Aquilaria agallocha; the drug agar obtained from the tree; akku eagle-wood. Ma. akil aloe wood, A. agallocha. Ka. agil the balsam tree which yields bdellium, Amyris agallocha; the dark species of Agallochum; fragrance. Tu. agilů a kind of tree; kari agilů Agallochum. / Cf. Skt. aguru-, agaru-; Pali akalu, akaḷu, agaru, agalu, agaḷu; Turner, CDIAL, no. 49. DED 14."}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/soas_query.py?qs=agaru&searchhws=yes | title=A Comparative Dictionary of the Indo-Aryan Languages | publisher=Oxford University Press | author=Turner, R. L. (Ralph Lilley), Sir | author-link=Ralph Lilley Turner| year=1962–66 | location=London | pages=3 | quote="agaru m.n. ʻ fragrant Aloe -- tree and wood, Aquilaria agallocha ʼ lex., aguru -- R. [← Drav. Mayrhofer EWA i 17 with lit.] Pa. agalu -- , aggalu -- m., akalu -- m. ʻ a partic. ointment ʼ; Pk. agaru -- , agaluya -- , agaru(a) -- m.n. ʻ Aloe -- tree and wood ʼ; K. agara -- kāth ʻ sandal -- wood ʼ; S. agaru m. ʻ aloe ʼ, P. N. agar m., A. B. agaru, Or. agarū, H. agar, agur m.; G. agar, agru n. ʻ aloe or sandal -- wood ʼ; M. agar m.n. ʻ aloe ʼ, Si. ayal (agil ← Tam. akil)."}}</ref> probably Tamil அகில் (agil), அகிர்(agir).,<ref>{{cite book|language=en|year=2016|author=Shulman, David|authorlink=David Shulman|title=Tamil: A biography|chapter=|url=|quote=We have ''ahalim'' [in Hebrew], probably derived directly from Tamil ''akil'' rather than from Sanskrit ''aguru'', itself a loan from the Tamil (Numbers 24.8; Proverbs 7.17; Song of Songs 4.14; Psalms 45.9--the latter two instances with the feminine plural form ''ahalot''. Akil is, we think, native to South India, and it is thus not surprising that the word was borrowed by cultures that imported this plant.|publisher=Harvard University Press|pages=19–20}}</ref> Sanskrit vatti: "wound" or "grief"{{citation needed|date=January 2022}}),<ref>https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323601703_Status_of_agarbatti_industry_in_India_with_special_reference_to_Northeast</ref> are a large part of the economy and [[Religious use of incense|many religions]] in the region.

The basic ingredients of an incense stick are bamboo sticks, paste (generally made of charcoal dust or sawdust and joss/jiggit/gum/tabu powder – an adhesive made from the bark of [[litsea glutinosa]] and other trees),<ref name=markets50>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eu8_q_7rBD4C&pg=PA50|page=50|title=Markets and Rural Poverty: Upgrading in Value Chains|author= Jonathan Mitchell, Christopher Coles|publisher=IDRC|date= 2011|isbn=9781849713139}}</ref> and the perfume ingredients – which traditionally would be a masala (powder of ground ingredients),<ref name=markets50/> though more commonly is a solvent of perfumes and/or essential oils.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.cigrjournal.org/index.php/Ejounral/article/view/2288|title=Patchouli in fragrances-incense stick production from patchouli spent charge powder|journal=Agricultural Engineering International: Cigr Journal|volume= 15|issue= 1 |date=March 2013|pages=187–189|format=PDF|last1=Ramya|first1=H. G.|last2=Palanimuthu|first2=V.|last3=Kumar|first3=R. Dayananda}}</ref> After the base paste has been applied to the bamboo stick, it is either, in the traditional method, while still moist, immediately rolled into the masala, or, more commonly, left for several days to dry, and then dipped into the scented solvent.

Various resins, such as amber, myrrh, frankincense, and [[Ailanthus triphysa|halmaddi]] (the resin of a tree) are used in traditional masala incense,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=izWJDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT95|page=174|title=Handbook On Herbal Products |author=Niir Board|publisher=National Institute Of Industrial Research|date= 2000|isbn=9788186623480}}</ref> usually as a fragrant binding ingredient,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zkadCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA184|page=184|title=Entrepreneur's Start-Up Handbook: Manufacturing of Profitable Household (FMCG) Products with Process & Formulations|author=NIIR Board of Consultants and Engineers|publisher=ASIA PACIFIC BUSINESS PRESS Inc.|date= 22 Feb 2016|isbn=9788178331645}}</ref> and these will add their distinctive fragrance to the finished incense. Some resins, such as gum Arabic,<ref name="Thomas Kinkele 107">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TXDsIun1ovwC&pg=PA107|page=107|title=Incense and Incense Rituals|author=Thomas Kinkele|publisher=Lotus Press|date= 30 Jun 2005|isbn=9788180565298}}</ref> may be used where it is desirable for the binding agent to have no fragrance of its own. Halmaddi has a particular interest to Western consumers,<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/98384434/Consumer-satisfaction-level-towards-CYCLE-PURE-AGARBATTIS|format=pdf|title=Consumer satisfaction level towards Cycle Pure Agarbattis|author=Karthik Bharadwaj|journal=Visvesvaraya Technological University|date=April 2012}}</ref> possibly through its association with the popular Satya Nag Champa.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7LCcCwAAQBAJ&pg=PT41|page=41|title=The Essential Guide to Aromatherapy and Vibrational Healing|author=Margaret Ann Lembo|publisher=Llewellyn Worldwide|date= 8 Mar 2016|isbn=9780738747781}}</ref> It is an earth coloured liquid resin drawn from the [[Ailanthus triphysa]] tree; as with other resins, it is a viscous semi-liquid when fresh, it hardens to a brittle solid as it evaporates and ages.<ref name="Resin">{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/science/resin|title=Resin|encyclopedia=britannica.com}}</ref> Some incense makers mix it with honey in order to keep it pliable. Due to crude extraction methods which resulted in trees dying, by the 1990s the Forest Department in India had banned resin extraction;<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qtfWeJwLzrQC&q=incense+halmaddi|title=Women's Role in Dynamic Forest-based Small Scale Enterprises: Case Studies on Uppage and Lacquerware from India|author=Jeffrey Y. Campbell|publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations|date= 1991}}</ref> this forced up the price of halmaddi, so its usage in incense making declined. In 2011, extraction was allowed under leasing agreements,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/143252/doom-staring-dhoop-trees-dakshina.html|title=Doom staring dhoop trees in Dakshina Kannada|author=Akshatha M|date=4 March 2011|work=deccanherald.com}}</ref> which increased in 2013, though production is still sufficiently limited for the resin to sometimes be stolen via improper extraction to be sold on the black market.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/513666/29-kg-halmaddi-seized-two.html|date=24 Nov 2015|title=29 kg halmaddi seized, two held|work=deccanherald.com}}</ref>

The oldest source on incense is the [[Vedas]], specifically, the [[Atharva-veda]] and the [[Rigveda]], which set out and encouraged a uniform method of making incense. Although [[Vedic]] texts mention the use of incense for masking odours and creating a pleasurable smell, the modern system of organized incense-making was likely created by the medicinal priests of the time. Thus, modern, organized incense-making is intrinsically linked to the [[Ayurvedic]] medical system in which it is rooted.<ref name=Oller/> The method of incense making with a bamboo stick as a core originated in India at the end of the 19th century, largely replacing the rolled, extruded or shaped method which is still used in India for ''dhoop'' and cones, and for most shapes of incense in Nepal/Tibet and Japan. Other main forms of incense are cones and logs and [[Benzoin (resin)|benzoin resin]] (or ''sambrani''), which are incense paste formed into pyramid shapes or log shapes, and then dried.

== Ingredients ==
[[Image:IncenseWikiVers.jpg|right|thumb|Various flavorants used in incense]]

The basic ingredients of an incense stick are bamboo sticks,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.debshakti.com/blog/how-to-start-agarbatti-manufacturing-business-agarbattimanufacturer-startyourbusiness|title=How To Start Agarbatti Business In India?}}</ref> paste <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.debshakti.com/agarbatti-raw-materials/|title=Agarbatti raw materials supplier | Kolkata, India|website=www.debshakti.com}}</ref> (generally made of charcoal powder or wood powder and joss/jiggit/gum/tabu powder – an adhesive made from the bark of [[litsea glutinosa]] and other trees),<ref>{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=eu8_q_7rBD4C&pg=PA50 |title=Markets and Rural Poverty: Upgrading in Value Chains |page=50|author=Jonathan Mitchell, Christopher Coles|publisher=IDRC|year= 2011 |isbn=9781849713139 |access-date=5 August 2013}}</ref> and the perfume ingredients – which traditionally would be a powder of mixed ground ingredients, though more commonly is a solvent of perfumes and/or essential oils. After the base paste has been applied to the bamboo stick, it is either, in the traditional method, while still moist, immediately rolled into the flavourant, or, more commonly, left in the sun for several days to dry, and then dipped into the scented solvent.

Many Indian incense makers follow [[Ayurveda|Ayurvedic]] principles, in which the ingredients that go into incense-making are categorized into five classes: ether (fruits), for example [[star anise]]; water (stems and branches), for example [[sandalwood]], [[aloeswood]], [[cedar wood]], [[Cinnamomum aromaticum|cassia]], [[frankincense]], [[myrrh]], and [[borneol]]; earth (roots), for example [[turmeric]], [[vetiver]], [[ginger]], [[costus]] root, [[Valerian (herb)|valerian]], Indian [[spikenard]]; fire (flowers), for example [[clove]]; and air (leaves), for example [[patchouli]].<ref name=Oller/>

Halmaddi is a fragrant binding ingredient which is used in traditional masala incense.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zkadCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA184|title=Entrepreneur's Start-Up Handbook: Manufacturing of Profitable Household (FMCG) Products with Process & Formulations|page=184|author=NIIR Board of Consultants and Engineers|publisher=Asia Pacific Business Press|date= 22 Feb 2016|isbn=9788178331645}}</ref> It is an earth coloured liquid resin drawn from the ''[[Ailanthus triphysa]]'' tree; as with other resins, it is a viscous semi-liquid when fresh, it hardens to a brittle solid as it evaporates and ages.<ref name="Resin"/> Some incense makers mix it with honey in order to keep it pliable.<ref name="Bhalendra Sunduram ">http://www.dhuni.co.uk/the-worlds-most-extraordinary-indian-incense {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121201022400/http://www.dhuni.co.uk/the-worlds-most-extraordinary-indian-incense/ |date=2012-12-01 }}, (taken from interview with Bhalendra Sunduram , during the 5th International Conference on Ayurveda. Bangalore, June 2012).</ref> Due to crude extraction methods which resulted in trees dying, by the 1990s the Forest Department in India had banned resin extraction; this forced up the price of halmaddi, so its usage in incense making declined.<ref>{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=qtfWeJwLzrQC&q=incense+halmaddi |title=Women's role in dynamic forest-based small scale enterprises| page=27|author = Devaki Jain| publisher= Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations|year= 1991 |access-date=9 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=oJZLAAAAYAAJ&q=Ailanthus+malabarica+halmaddi |title=Myforest |page=144| publisher=Forest Department, Karnataka|year= 1992 |access-date=9 September 2013}}</ref> In 2011, extraction was allowed under leasing agreements, which increased in 2013,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/143252/doom-staring-dhoop-trees-dakshina.html|title=Doom staring dhoop trees in Dakshina Kannada|author=Akshatha M, Mangalore|date=4 March 2011|work=deccanherald.com}}</ref> though production is still sufficiently limited for the resin to sometimes be stolen via improper extraction to be sold on the black market.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/513666/29-kg-halmaddi-seized-two.html|title=29 kg halmaddi seized, two held|author=Bengaluru|date=24 Nov 2015|work=deccanherald.com}}</ref> Other tree resins or gums are also used as a binding agent, such as amber, myrrh, and frankincense, and these will add their distinctive fragrance to the finished incense; some resins, such as gum arabic, may be used where it is desirable for the binding agent to have no fragrance of its own.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=izWJDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT95|page=174|title=Handbook On Herbal Products (Medicines, Cosmetics, Toiletries, Perfumes)|author=Niir Board|publisher=National Institute Of Industrial Research|date= 2000|isbn=9788186623480}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wldvz0fxU5IC&pg=PA122|page=122|title=Incense Magick|author=Carl F. Neal|publisher=Llewellyn Worldwide|date= 8 Mar 2012|isbn=9780738730134}}</ref><ref name="Thomas Kinkele 107"/>

== History ==
[[File:Pot with holes (used for burning incense).JPG|thumbnail|Ancient pot with holes used for burning incense]]

The practice of incense as a healing tool was assimilated into the religious practices of the time. As Hinduism matured and Buddhism was founded in India, incense became an integral part of Buddhism as well. Around 200 CE, a group of wandering Buddhist monks introduced incense stick making to China.<ref name=Oller/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asianartmall.com/incensearticle.htm|title=History of Incense|access-date=2009-07-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225172230/http://www.asianartmall.com/incensearticle.htm|archive-date=2018-12-25|url-status=dead}}</ref> Some incense, depending on the contents, may also act as organic insect repellent.<ref name="mosquitoreviews.com">{{Cite web|url=https://mosquitoreviews.com/mosquito-repellents/incense/|title=Incense and Mosquitoes: Does Incense ACTUALLY Repel Mosquitoes?|website=MosquitoReviews}}</ref><ref name="researchgate.net">{{Cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342846911|title=The Current Scenario of Indian Incense Sticks Market and Their Impact on the Indian Economy|website=ResearchGate}}</ref>

=== Hinduism ===
[[File:Combustible Jasmine Fragrance Incense Sticks.jpg|thumb|Fragrance Incense Sticks]]
{{More citations needed section|date=March 2019}}

In Hinduism, agarbatti is an integral part of most rituals. The name is derived from [[agarwood]] which is commonly used in incense production.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.miltopexports.com/agarbatti.htm|title=Agarbatti: Products|website=www.miltopexports.com}}</ref>

The oldest source on incense is the [[Vedas]], specifically, the [[Atharva-veda]] and the [[Rigveda]]. Incense-burning was used both to create pleasing aromas and a medicinal tool. Its use in medicine is considered the first phase of [[Ayurveda]], which uses incense as an approach to healing. Incense-making was thus almost exclusively done by monks.<ref name=Oller>{{cite web|url=http://botanical.com/site/by_you/article_incense/incense.html|title=Incense Making|last=Oller|first=David|access-date=2013-08-02}}</ref>

Incense remains an important part of the daily puja ritual, which is a religious offering performed by all Hindus to their deities, especially during the beginning of a new venture, or to commemorate some special occasion. The aspect of the ritual is known as ''[[dhupa]]'' and involves the offering of incense before the picture of a deity, as a token of respect. An incense stick is lit to introduce pleasant fragrances and to cleanse the air of negative energy. The ashes of the burning agarbatti collected symbolize the sacrifice of one's self to others.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kids.baps.org/thingstoknow/hinduism/59.htm|title=Things to Know - Hinduism - Why are incense sticks burnt during pujã rituals?|website=kids.baps.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kohinoorfoods.co.uk/the-significance-of-incense-in-india/|title=The Significance of Incense in India|date=July 12, 2018}}</ref>

A ''[[sādhu]]'' will regularly burn incense in this fashion, as a gesture to [[Agni]], the God of Fire, to ward away unseen forces that must be continually propitiated with offerings and cleansing rituals. Their sacred fireplaces, known as ''[[dhuni]]'', perform the same function as incense, on a larger scale, which is to transform matter into aether. Burning incense is thus a reminder, of the sacred power of fire to transform, and the ultimate journey of all physical matter towards spirit.{{Citation needed|reason=A source for information on sadhu practices would be helpful here.|date=November 2020}}

==Production==
Production may be partly or completely by hand, or partly or completely by machine. There are semi-automatic machine for applying paste, semi-automatic machine for perfume-dipping, semi-automatic machine for packing, or fully automated machines which apply paste and scent, though the bulk of production is done by hand-rolling at home. There are about 5,000 incense companies in India which take raw un-perfumed sticks hand-rolled by approximately 200,000 women working part-time at home, apply their own brand of perfume, and package the sticks for sale.<ref name=Harper2>{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=VODZCM5qblYC&pg=PA249 |title=Inclusive Value Chains: A Pathway Out of Poverty|author= Malcolm Harper |page=249|publisher=World Scientific|year= 2010 |isbn=9789814295000|access-date=4 August 2013}}</ref> An experienced home-worker can produce 4,000 raw sticks a day.<ref>{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=bVIuvRibcegC&pg=PA16 |title=South Indian Factory Workers: Their Life and Their World |author= Mark Holmström |page=16|publisher=Cambridge University Press|date= 3 Dec 2007 |isbn=9780521048125 |access-date=5 August 2013}}</ref> There are about 25 main companies, who together account for up to 30% of the market, and around 500 of the companies, including a significant number of the main companies, are based in Bangalore.<ref>{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=EymP-cYw2KsC&pg=PA84 |title=Urban Energy Systems |author= B. Sudhakara Reddy |page=84|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|date= 1 Jan 1998 |isbn=9788170226819 |access-date=5 August 2013}}</ref>
The state of [[Karnataka]], referred to as the Capital of Agarbathi (Incense Sticks),<ref>{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=9YjXW41yMwQC&pg=PA154 |title=Doing Business in India|page=154|author=Chris Devonshire-Ellis|publisher=Springer|year= 2012 |isbn=9783642276187|access-date=2 April 2013}}</ref> is the leading producer of the agarbathi in India, with [[Mysore]] and [[Bangalore]] being the main manufacturing centres of scented agarbatti and Gaya, Bihar was the manufacturing hub of unscented agarbatti.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://as.ori.nic.in/diorissa/agarbati.pdf|title=Agarbathi|access-date=2012-04-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227145737/http://as.ori.nic.in/diorissa/agarbati.pdf|archive-date=2012-02-27|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Mysore region is recognised as a pioneer in the activity of agarbathi manufacturing and this is one of the main cluster activities that exist in the city. In recent years, growth in the production of agarbathi (incense sticks), Dhoop-Deep<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dcmsme.gov.in/reports/Agarbathi%20Sticks.htm|title=Agarbathi Sticks|publisher=The office of Development Commissioner (MSME)|author=Government of India|access-date=Jan 2, 2017}}</ref> has been seen in every part of India. There are plenty of manufacturers in Maharashtra,Gaya and Gujrat and the western India agarbatti market is totally dominated by them. At a national level, the most prominent manufacturers include N. Ranga Rao & Sons with their Cycle Pure Agarbathies,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cycle.in/|title=Cycle.in|website=Cycle.in}}</ref> Patanjali with their Aastha agarbatti, Samun Agarbatti with their gaya darshan and ITC with their Mangaldeep.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.itcportal.com/brands-microsite/agarbattis.aspx|title=ITC|website=www.itcportal.com}}</ref>

==Economy==

India is one of the world's top [[incense]] producing countries,.<ref name="researchgate.net"/> It was the largest exporter of incense until 2015, after several years of reduced import tariffs as a result of the [[ASEAN–India Free Trade Area|ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement]]. Subsequently, the Indian [[Ministry of Commerce and Industry|Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India)]] increased tariffs on incense imports in 2019<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/+industry/cons-products/fmcg/centreputs-curbs-on-import-ofagarbatti/articleshow/70939503.cms|title=Centre puts curbs on import of Agarbatti|newspaper=The Economic Times}}</ref> and 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/import-duty-on-bamboo-for-agarbatti-industry-hiked-to-25/article31788824.ece|title=Import duty on bamboo for agarbatti industry hiked to 25%|website=/www.thehindubusinessline.com}}</ref>

Under the aegis of the "Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan", the government of India approved an incense production and employment program on August 2, 2020. The program is called "Khadi Agarbatti Atma Nirbhar Mission", and was proposed by the Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC) of India. Under this scheme, the incense artisans will be provided automatic agarbatti and powder-mixing machines through private business partners. One quarter of the cost of each unit will be borne by KVIC via a subsidy, while the remnant will be paid through loans by the artisans.<ref>{{ cite news | title= Government launches a programme for agarbatti manufacturing workers | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/government-launches-programme-for-artisans-involved-in-manufacturing-of-agarbatti/articleshow/77288562.cms|publisher=economictimes.indiatimes.com}}</ref>

==Dhoop==

Dhoop is a type of extruded incense, lacking a core bamboo stick. Many dhoops have very concentrated scents and emit a lot of smoke when burned. The best-known is probably Chandan Dhoop, a formulation containing a high percentage of [[sandalwood]].

==See also==
{{portal | Hinduism}}
{{div col}}
'''Related concepts'''
* [[Añjali Mudrā]]
* [[Buddhist prayer beads]]
* [[Coconut#Role in culture and religion|Coconut: use for worship]]
* [[Culture of India]]
* [[Dhupa]]
* [[Hindu prayer beads]]
* [[Hindu temple]]
* [[Jain festivals]]
* [[List of Hindu festivals]]
* [[Garland|Mala]]
* [[Mudras]]
* [[Namaste]]
* [[Pādodaka]]
* [[Pranāma]]
* [[Puja (Buddhism)]]
* [[Puja (Hinduism)]]
* [[The Archaeology of Hindu Ritual]]

'''Others'''
* [[Guru-shishya tradition]]
* [[Lists of festivals]]
* [[Religious festival]]
{{div col end}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Incense Of India}}
[[Category:Incense in India| ]]
[[Category:Incense by region|India]]
[[Category:Indian culture]]

Incense in India - Revision history

ImportMaster at 06:22, 15 March 2022