Dhoop and incense cones offer a slightly different experience to traditional stick incense. They’re made from a compact paste of natural materials with no bamboo core, which gives a fuller aroma and a gentle trail of smoke.

Alok Panday, the founder of Malaan Gaudhoop, has written an article for our Journal about the virtues of dhoop and why he prefers this particular form.

Some dhoop is used for daily household ritual, while certain blends are richer and better suited to quiet moments or devotional use. If you’re new to dhoop, start with light, herbal blends; the deeper recipes reveal themselves slowly, like a strong tea.

Each maker has their own style — some resin-forward, some herbal, some sweet with floral paste. We’ll note these differences in the product descriptions so you can choose by character, not just fragrance name.