Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the administrative body for Tirumala Temple, commissioned Darshan International of Bangalore to create incense sticks using recycled temple flowers as part of the combustible base - possibly influenced by Ankit Agrawal and Karan Rastogi of Phool in Kanpur, Northern India who started the recycled temple flowers trend. Unfortunately Darshan International wasn't a good choice as in May this year (2026) TTD discovered that at least three of the products made for them by Darshan - including the Drishti and Srishti I've already reviewed - contained harmful chemicals, and so they have ceased production, and invited other producers to take over production.
This and three other TTD incenses were sent to me by Brief Chemistry earlier this year before either of us knew about the ban. Indeed, these may be among the last of the stock to be distributed before the ban was put in place. TTD were keen to keep costs down, and Darshan won the contract. TTD supplied the premises in Tirumala, and Darshan supplied the machinery and staff to train the locals. It is unclear at the moment if Darshan are still involved in production.
Attractive floral and "Flora"-style cold-throw scent on the stick. It's a familiar masala incense aroma - woods, resins, flowers. A sense of something primeval, earthy, fermenting, and totally captivating. Quite sweetly perfumed with touches of crystal vanilla and bubblegum. Very yummy. It's my sort of scent. It's not particularly interesting or exciting, because as a regular incense hunter, I've come upon this basic everyday masala incense scent many times, and familiarity does tend to temper enthusiasm. However, it's a well made scent, and very engaging. I'm possibly picking up some awareness of the recycled flowers - a swampy, stagnant water smell, but that could just be association from previous recycled flowers incense. But even if it is not, the perfumes and aroma chemicals that Darshan have used in the mix, really blend well with the combustible recycled flower base, and the swamp scent is earthy rather than revolting.
It's a mild burn, with the fragrance of sandalwood being to the fore, then comes light and pleasant fruit and floral notes accompanied with hints of orange blossom, mint, and patchouli. It makes for a very attractive and satisfying accord. Nice one.
It's a mild burn, with the fragrance of sandalwood being to the fore, then comes light and pleasant fruit and floral notes accompanied with hints of orange blossom, mint, and patchouli. It makes for a very attractive and satisfying accord. Nice one.
Available in the UK as part of a combo of all seven scents in the range (which are named after the seven sacred hills around Tirumala) for £17.99 from GiriUk. Available in India by itself from FlipKart for ₹999 (before discount). I'm not seeing it in other countries.
Date: Nov 2026 Score: 37/50
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