Indian incense sticks have been a major export for India for quite a long time and most people would probably consider India the incense capital of the world.

Top Ten Indian Incense Producers

Satya Sai Baba – Shrinivas Sugandhalaya

Satya Sai Baba is a brand name used by the Shrinivas Sugandhalaya company. The company was founded in 1964 by Shri Satyam Setty. They are now one of the largest incense producers in India and they now employ roughly 2,500 people to manufacturer their incense.

Their claim to fame is their blue box nag champa, as well as other iconic scents such as ‘Aastha’ and ‘Super Hit’.

Unfortunately, their incense isn’t quite what it used to be. Additionally, the company has split into 2 different companies, and use nearly the same packaging. So, even if you do like the one style, you may get a different iteration next time you purchase it. Regardless, their blue box nag champa remains one of the most popular incense series in the world. Nag champa has a long history in India.

Goloka

Goloka is a newer incense manufacturer based in Bangalore. Although they weren’t founded until 1997, it’s important to note that Goloka is a non-profit which provides food and educational services to under-privileged children and widows.

I actually really like Goloka incense, and consider their orange box nag champa incense sticks to be up there with the rest of them.

Aromatika

Aromatika is an Indian incense producer based in Jaipur. They have been in business for over 30 years. I haven’t personally tried many of their products but I know that they are quite popular.

Nandita Fragrances

Nandita Fragrances is based in Mumbai, India and offers a large variety of incense sticks. I mean it. They offer a lot of different stuff, including incense sticks, bakhoor, and dhoop. The company was founded in 1928 by Sri. K.Y. Acharya. They also have a retail store in Udupi (the city where Acharya was born) that you can still visit today.

Moksh Agarbatti

Moksh Agarbatti is an Indian incense producer based in Bangalore. It was founded in 1996 and are the producers of the famous Swarna Champa brand. They are a popular company in India and even advertise on TV. They have 3 manufacturing plants in Bangalore to keep up with large demand.

Unfortunately, they produce mostly cheap dipped charcoal incense sticks, which happen to be quite popular in India for everyday burning due to their cheap price.

Hari Om Fragrances

Hari Om Fragrances was started in Banglore in 1990. They are an established company but they don’t appear to be industry leaders. You’ll often see them copying the success of larger brands such as Moksh and Sri Sai. They make a wide range of incense scents of varying quality, including both perfume-dipped varieties, as well as traditional masala varieties.

SAC (Sandesh) & GR International

Note that SAC (Sandesh) and GR International are the same company.

The Sandesh Agarbatti Company (SAC) was founded by D.N.P. Guptha in Bangalore, India. Although they began as a small home-based business, they are now one of the largest exporters of incense sticks in the world. They produce over 250 different products. They are also a member of the ‘All India Agarbathi Manufactures Assocation’.

They make both perfume-dipped as well as traditional masala varieties.

N. Ranga Rao & Sons Exports (Flute)

N. Ranga Rao & Sons Exports started in 1948 in Mumbai, India. Today they are a large incense manufacturer who exports to over 60 different countries. Some of their incense brands include Flute, Cycle, Lia, Angel, Woods, and Rhythm.

Mysore Sugandhi Dhoop Factory

The Mysore Sugandhi Dhoop Factory was started in Bangalore in 1934. They claim to be the first Indian incense exporter. They are a large Indian incense producer. Most of their incense smells rather nice, but is heavily perfumed.

Mahendra Perfumery Works & Betco

Mahendra Perfumery Works was opened in Bangalore in 1921. Betco International is their export subsidiary. They sell a lot of incense, but it’s mostly cheaper perfume dipped incense targeted at the low-end Indian incense market.