Of all our senses, the most primal and that which directly affects our brain and mind is our sense of smell. Incense has been and is used in; religious ceremonies, ritual purification, aromatherapy, meditation, mood creation, masking bad odours, creating a fragrant aroma and in ancient times, pleasant-smelling perfumes were offered to royalty and saints and diffused over roads on which revered personages travelled.
Although used in a multitude of cultures throughout the world, some of the oldest references to the use of incense appear in the Atharva Veda, indicating that the use of incense (Hindi=agarbatti) in India dates back to over 3500 years ago.
When used in Hindu rituals, incense purifies the atmosphere like havan fire working through the power of fragrance as in flowers. For Temple worship, incense is not only an offering but serves to purify the atmosphere and calm the mind of Temple visitors enhancing their spiritual awareness. Deities within Hinduism have specific aromas associated with them; Tulsi for Krishna, Kewra for Shiva and Jasmine or Sandalwood for Lakshmi.
Although used in a multitude of cultures throughout the world, some of the oldest references to the use of incense appear in the Atharva Veda, indicating that the use of incense (Hindi=agarbatti) in India dates back to over 3500 years ago.
When used in Hindu rituals, incense purifies the atmosphere like havan fire working through the power of fragrance as in flowers. For Temple worship, incense is not only an offering but serves to purify the atmosphere and calm the mind of Temple visitors enhancing their spiritual awareness. Deities within Hinduism have specific aromas associated with them; Tulsi for Krishna, Kewra for Shiva and Jasmine or Sandalwood for Lakshmi.
According to Ayurveda, an individual's qualities are harmonized when the inherent qualities of various medicinal herbs and flowers are introduced. Herbal ingredients may be prepared as natural incense and used to prevent infections, purify atmosphere and energize prana.
Indian incense-making involves a wide variety of ingredients. In accordance with Ayurvedic principles, all the ingredients that go into incense-making are categorized into five classes: Ether (fruits e.g. Star Anise), Water (stems and branches e.g. Sandalwood), Earth (roots e.g. Turmeric), Fire (flowers e.g. Clove) and Air (leaves e.g. Patchouli).
In Ayurveda astrology it is believed aromas can strengthen planetary energies: Sun: Sage and Camphor, Moon: Jasmine and Sandalwood, Mars: Musk and Camphor, Mercury: Sandalwood and Basil, Jupiter: Lotus and Frankincense, Venus: Nag Champa and Plumeria, Saturn: Cedar and Myrrh, Rahu: Sandalwood and Myrrh and Ketu: Sage and Camphor
