A short guide for choosing incense sticks you will light every day at home.
In this article: What matters · Masala or scented · Three starting picks · Trial pack or 250 g · Common questions
Daily puja is a small, repeated act. The agarbatti you choose will be lit most mornings or evenings, so it helps to pick a fragrance your family enjoys and a pack size that suits how often you light it. You do not need anything elaborate. The Bhagavad Gita (9.26) speaks of a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water offered with devotion, and the Bhagavata Purana (11.27.33) lists incense (dhupa) and lamps (dipa) alongside water, fragrance, flowers and unbroken grains, offered with faith. Read more in why dhoop is offered in puja.
What matters when you choose
- Fragrance family. Woody (sandalwood, cedarwood), floral (rose, jasmine) or a blend. Start with notes you already like at home.
- Format. Standard sticks suit most home holders. Extra-long 16-inch sticks need a taller holder and more clearance. Dhoop sticks and cups are a different format; see dhoop sticks, cups and loose dhoop.
- Pack size. A small pack lets you try a fragrance; a 250 g pack suits one you already use daily. Our guide to pack sizes, grams and stick count explains how to compare them.
Masala or scented?
Masala agarbatti are made with a fragrant paste rolled onto the stick; scented (perfumed) agarbatti carry a fragrance applied to the stick. Both are used in daily puja, and the choice is mostly about the character of the fragrance you prefer. Our guide to masala vs scented agarbatti covers the difference in more detail. Browse masala sticks or scented incense.
Three starting picks, by listed notes
- Janak 555: listed notes of sandalwood, rose and jasmine, described as powdery, woody and floral.
- Janak Maharshi: cedarwood, sandalwood and patchouli, for a woodier, deeper fragrance.
- Janak Keshar Chandan: geranium, rose, saffron and sandalwood. Read Keshar Chandan explained.
For a side-by-side comparison, read Janak 555, Maharshi or Chakra Muladhara.
If you would like two fragrances for different days, the Keshar Chandan + 555 combo brings a 250 g pack of each. More sets are in combo offers.
Trial pack or 250 g?
If you have not used a fragrance before, start with a smaller pack: 555 in 50 g (₹90), Maharshi in 50 g (₹100) or Keshar Chandan in 100 g (₹90). Once the family settles on a favourite, the 250 g pack is the simpler daily choice. Compare the price per gram on the product pages, together with any delivery charge on your actual order.
Common questions
Which agarbatti is best for pooja? There is no single correct fragrance. Families often keep one everyday fragrance and a second for festivals. Choose by the notes you enjoy and the holder you have.
How many sticks should I light? Customs vary by family and tradition. Many households light one or two sticks at a time; follow your family's practice.
Can I mix fragrances? Yes. Many families alternate, for example a woody fragrance in the morning and a floral one in the evening.
Burning incense and dhoop safely
Place sticks in a holder and cups on a heat-resistant burner, on a stable surface that catches the ash. Keep the space ventilated and away from curtains, paper and other flammable materials. Keep children and pets away, never leave burning incense or dhoop unattended, and let ash and holders cool before handling.
Sources
- Bhagavad Gita 9.26: offering with devotion.
- Bhagavata Purana 11.27.33: incense, lamps and other offerings.
Edition consulted: Sanskrit with the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust English translation on VedaBase. Practices differ across families and traditions.
Written for Janak Perfumers, making agarbatti in Rajkot since 1962. Fragrance notes and pack details come from our product listings. Explanations prepared with AI assistance and checked against the sources listed. References checked on 4 November 2026.