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How to Make Incense Sticks at Home: The old tradition of natural incense sticks is reviving in Bageshwar. Troubled by the ill effects of chemical incense sticks sold in the market, people are now getting attracted towards homemade incense made from marigold flowers. In this news, we will tell you how you too can easily make natural incense sticks from flowers in your home.
Troubled by the ill effects of chemical incense sticks sold in the market, people are now increasingly getting attracted towards making natural incense at home. Marigold flowers found in the mountains not only add beauty, but the incense prepared from them purifies the environment and also gives mental peace. This old tradition is reviving in rural areas. People are using home-made incense in worship, meditation and festivals, because it is safe for health. Also considered mild for people with respiratory problems.
The tradition of making incense from marigold flowers is years old in Bageshwar and surrounding villages of Kumaon, but now it is becoming popular again. Local women collect dried flowers and prepare incense in winter. This incense is not only used for religious purposes, but is also useful in keeping insects away and making the atmosphere of the house fragrant. Being natural, it does not contain any kind of smoke or toxic chemicals. This is the reason why this traditional incense is again making its place in modern homes.
The process of making natural incense starts with drying the marigold flowers thoroughly. Fresh flowers are spread in the sun for 3-4 hours, so that the moisture present in them is completely removed. Underdried flowers can spoil the quality of the incense, so this step is extremely important. In the mountains, women often dry flowers by keeping them in bamboo baskets in an airy place. When completely dried, the flowers become light, crisp and golden in color. By grinding such flowers, a fine powder with good aroma is formed, which is the foundation of excellent incense.
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Powder is prepared by grinding dried flowers in a mixer. The natural aroma of flowers remains intact in this powder. Many people in rural areas still use mortar and pestle. Due to which the smell remains even stronger. By filtering fine powder, larger particles are separated from it. Incense sticks are made better. Along with marigold petals, many people also add dry basil, lemon peel or desi rose to enhance the aroma and properties. This powder is considered to be the most important step in preparing incense sticks, cones or havan material.
By adding natural ingredients like cloves, cinnamon, bay leaves and camphor to marigold powder, both the fragrance and medicinal properties of incense increases. Cloves and camphor purify the air, while cinnamon is known to provide mental peace. Bay leaf makes the smoke light and aromatic. Many families also add coconut fiber or sandalwood powder. Due to which the sunlight burns for a longer time. This mixture is completely Ayurvedic and does not require any kind of chemical. This is the reason why this incense is considered safe for children and the elderly also.
Adding desi ghee and a little rose water to the mixture creates a natural binder, which can be easily shaped with hands. Desi ghee makes the incense fragrant and the smoke remains very light when burnt. Rose water keeps its texture soft and releases a pleasant fragrance when burnt. Many women in the mountains also add a few drops of honey or camphor oil, which increases the burning power of incense. This paste is neither sticky nor breaks, but is perfectly suitable for incense sticks or cones.
When the paste is ready, people mold it into incense sticks or small cones. Women in the mountains make incense sticks using small molds made of bamboo, while the cones are shaped by hand. These are dried in the sun for 1–2 days so that there is no moisture left in them and the incense does not break while burning. Once completely dried, these incense sticks are more fragrant and more durable than the store-bought ones. The demand for such natural incense is also increasing in the local markets, because people consider it safe and sacred.
Incense made from marigold flowers is considered effective in purifying the air and reducing mental stress. Its natural aroma is mild on the nose and lungs, so even people with breathing problems can use it comfortably. It is used during worship, meditation, yoga and festivals to increase positive energy. Villagers believe that this incense removes negativity from the house and calms the environment. It is safer, cheaper and healthier than the fragrant but chemical incense in the market.
