Best Agarbatti Companies & Manufacturers in India: Top 5 and Top 10
which is the best and No. 1 agarbatti company in India?
There is no single audited ranking, but on company-reported scale the leading agarbatti companies in India are Cycle Pure (NR Group), ITC Mangaldeep, Zed Black (MDPH), Hem and Satya. NR Group describes Cycle Pure as the largest-selling incense stick brand in the world, sold in over 75 countries. ITC describes Mangaldeep as India’s number one dhoop brand and its second-largest agarbatti brand. Zed Black says it is among the top three agarbatti brands in India.
For the biggest manufacturer by volume, Cycle Pure is the most commonly cited. For the best choice, it depends on your need: everyday puja (Cycle Pure, Mangaldeep), meditation (Satya), exports and variety (Hem), or natural hand-rolled incense and private label (Melting Aromas).
Top 5 agarbatti companies in India
- Cycle Pure Agarbathies (NR Group), Mysuru: described by the group as the world’s largest-selling incense stick brand; since 1948.
- Mangaldeep (ITC): corporate-backed; ITC’s number one dhoop brand; in agarbatti since 2003.
- Zed Black (MDPH), Indore: known for 3-in-1 packs and large production units.
- Hem (Hem Corporation), Mumbai: major exporter, cited in around 70 countries.
- Satya (Shrinivas Sugandhalaya), Bangalore and Mumbai: maker of the Nag Champa fragrance.
This top 5 is based on the scale and reach each company reports. It is not an independent audit.
India is the world’s centre of incense making, with thousands of agarbatti makers, from household-name FMCG brands to small family workshops. If you are choosing a brand to buy, or a manufacturer to source from, the choice can be confusing: every pack says “premium” and “natural”.
This guide profiles ten well-known agarbatti companies and manufacturers in India, with what each is known for and who it suits. Full disclosure: we are Melting Aromas, and we appear in this list. We have grouped the brands by type rather than strictly ranking them, and our own entry follows the same format as the others. If you are a business looking for bulk agarbatti supply, skip to the buyer’s checklist further down.
How we chose these brands
We looked at five things: years in business, scale and distribution, product range (sticks, dhoop, cones), how openly the company describes its ingredients and process, and export presence. Details come from company websites, press releases and business press, and figures are as the companies state them.
Biggest agarbatti companies in India: scale at a glance
Brand | Founded | HQ | Reach (company-reported) |
Cycle Pure (NR Group) | 1948 | Mysuru | Sold in 75+ countries; described as the world’s largest-selling incense stick brand |
Mangaldeep (ITC) | 2003 (in agarbatti) | ITC Limited | National retail; number one dhoop brand and second-largest agarbatti brand per ITC |
Zed Black (MDPH) | 1992 (company), 2000 (brand) | Indore | Among the top three agarbatti brands in India per the company |
Hem | 1983 | Mumbai | Exports to around 70 countries |
Agarbatti companies at a glance
Brand | Company / base | Known for | Best for |
Cycle Pure Agarbathies | NR Group, Mysuru | Mass-market scale, long heritage | Everyday puja use |
Mangaldeep | ITC | Corporate-backed brand, strong in dhoop | Wide retail availability |
Zed Black | MDPH, Indore | 3-in-1 packs, large production | Value multi-fragrance packs |
Hem | Hem Corporation, Mumbai | Export reach, masala sticks and cones | Fragrance variety |
Satya | Shrinivas Sugandhalaya, Bangalore and Mumbai | Nag Champa | Meditation and yoga |
Moksh | Moksh Agarbatti Co, Bengaluru | Affordable household range | Budget-friendly daily use |
Hari Darshan | Hari Darshan Sevashram, Delhi NCR | Complete puja range | One-stop puja needs |
Darshan International | Karnataka | Broad catalogue | Retailers wanting variety |
Phool | Temple-flower recycling brand | Incense from discarded temple flowers | Eco-minded buyers |
Melting Aromas | Bangalore | Hand-rolled natural incense, private label | Wholesalers and new brands |
Large national brands
1. Cycle Pure Agarbathies (NR Group)
- Based in: Mysuru, Karnataka | Since: 1948
- Known for: The flagship brand of N. Ranga Rao & Sons, part of the NR Group. The group describes Cycle Pure as the largest-selling incense stick brand in the world and says it is sold in over 75 countries.
- Good to know: Ranga Rao & Sons is the company behind Cycle Pure, so they are one entry here. The company has also begun collecting flowers offered at Mysuru temples to recycle into agarbathies.
- Best for: Buyers who want a widely available, long-established puja brand.
2. Mangaldeep (ITC)
- Based in: ITC Limited | In agarbatti since: 2003
- Known for: ITC began marketing agarbattis in 2003, sourcing them from small-scale and cottage units made to ITC’s quality standards. ITC describes Mangaldeep as India’s number one dhoop brand and its second-largest agarbatti brand. It also runs temple-themed ranges.
- Best for: Buyers who want a national, corporate-backed brand with broad retail presence.
3. Zed Black (MDPH)
- Based in: Indore, Madhya Pradesh | Company founded: 1992 | Brand launched: 2000
- Known for: Zed Black is the flagship brand of Mysore Deep Perfumery House (MDPH). It is best known for its 3-in-1 packs, and the company says it is among the top three agarbatti brands in India. MDPH operates large production units in Indore, including raw agarbatti manufacturing, and also sells dhoop and backflow cones.
- Best for: Shoppers who want multi-fragrance packs at accessible prices.
4. Hem (Hem Corporation)
- Based in: Mumbai, Maharashtra | Since: 1983 (per the brand)
- Known for: A major exporter whose Hem Precious range is its flagship line. Hem sells masala sticks, dhoop cones and essential oils, and company profiles cite exports to around 70 countries.
- Best for: Buyers who want a wide fragrance choice and strong international availability.
Heritage and regional brands
5. Satya (Shrinivas Sugandhalaya)
- Based in: Bangalore and Mumbai
- Known for: Satya Sai Baba Nag Champa, one of the best-known incense fragrances worldwide. It is made in the masala style, a paste of natural extracts hand-rolled on bamboo sticks.
- Best for: Yoga studios, meditation spaces and anyone who wants the classic Nag Champa scent.
6. Moksh Agarbatti
- Based in: Bengaluru, Karnataka | Founded: 1996 (per the company)
- Known for: An affordable range aimed at everyday households, with more than 35 fragrances according to the company, supplied to large retail chains.
- Best for: Budget-friendly daily puja use.
7. Hari Darshan
- Company: Hari Darshan Sevashram Pvt Ltd (Delhi NCR) | Brand dates to: 1970
- Known for: A family business whose present brand dates to 1970 in Delhi’s Sadar Bazaar, with a heritage the family traces back over a century. The range goes well beyond agarbatti to dhoop, cones, sambrani cups, camphor and havan samagri.
- Best for: Buyers who want a single supplier for complete puja needs.
8. Darshan International
- Based in: Karnataka | Established: 1987
- Known for: A large portfolio sold across multiple states through a big field sales team, according to its leadership.
- Best for: Retailers who want a broad catalogue from one regional leader.
Natural and sustainability-focused brands
9. Phool
- Known for: A brand built around recycling discarded temple flowers into incense and related products.
- Best for: Eco-minded buyers who value upcycling.
10. Melting Aromas (us)
- Based in: Bangalore | Brand launched: 2024, by a family of incense makers whose roots go back to 1910
- Known for: Natural, hand-rolled agarbatti and incense made from herbs, essential oils, resins and wood powders, with no synthetic fragrance, toxic binders or charcoal additives. We also recycle wedding flowers into our blends, and hold ISO 9001:2015, ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications.
- Heritage: The family story begins in 1910 with Attar Syed Khasim and the Kashmir Gulab fragrance, and runs through brands such as Sukki Darbar, Maulana Agarbatti and Baba Flora. Melting Aromas combines five generations of that experience with eco-conscious practices. Read how we work.
- Popular fragrances: Lavender, Lemongrass, Patchouli, plus Rose, Champa, Sandalwood, Musk, Oudh, Sambrani and Loban. Browse the full range.
- Best for: Wholesalers, retailers and new brands that want natural, hand-rolled incense or private label manufacturing.
How to choose an agarbatti manufacturer
For everyone
- Ingredients: Ask for a plain-language ingredient list. Terms like “natural” are used loosely on packs, so look for named herbs, resins, essential oils and wood powders.
- Burn and smoke: A good stick burns evenly and slowly. Low smoke matters if you burn incense daily in a small space.
- Packaging: Sealed, moisture-resistant packs keep the fragrance fresh.
- Reputation: Years in business, reviews and consistency from batch to batch.
For wholesalers, retailers and brand owners, also ask about
- Minimum order quantity and whether it varies by fragrance
- Free or paid samples, and how fast they dispatch
- Production capacity and lead times
- Certifications and registrations (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, plus GST and Udyam; for exports, an IEC)
- Custom fragrance, packaging and private label options
- Export documentation, if you sell outside India
Red flags: no physical address, no samples on offer, vague ingredient claims, certificates you cannot verify, and prices far below the market.
Natural, charcoal-based and synthetic incense: what is the difference?
- Masala (flora or herbal) sticks are made from a paste of herbs, resins, flower material and wood powders, then hand-rolled onto bamboo. They tend to have a deeper, more complex scent.
- Charcoal-based sticks use charcoal powder as the burning base and are scented with fragrance oils. They are common in mass-market packs.
- Synthetic fragrance can be used in either type. Check the pack or ask the maker what the scent comes from.
None of these is automatically “better”; it depends on your use, budget and sensitivity to smoke.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is the No. 1 agarbatti company in India?
Cycle Pure (NR Group) is the most commonly cited, with NR Group describing it as the largest-selling incense stick brand in the world. ITC’s Mangaldeep is the number one dhoop brand by ITC’s own description, and Zed Black says it is among the top three agarbatti brands in India. There is no audited public ranking, so these are company-reported claims.
2. Which is the best agarbatti company in India?
It depends on the use. For everyday puja, Cycle Pure and Mangaldeep are widely available. For meditation, Satya’s Nag Champa is a classic. For natural, hand-rolled incense or private label, Melting Aromas is built for that. Choose by fragrance, smoke tolerance and ingredients.
3. Which is the biggest agarbatti manufacturer in India?
By company-reported scale, Cycle Pure (NR Group), Mangaldeep (ITC) and Zed Black (MDPH) are the usual answers. Exact volume and turnover figures vary by source, so treat any single number with care.
4. Which are the top 5 agarbatti companies in India?
Cycle Pure, Mangaldeep, Zed Black, Hem and Satya, based on the scale and reach each company reports.
5. Which are the top 10 agarbatti companies in India?
Cycle Pure, Mangaldeep, Zed Black, Hem, Satya, Moksh, Hari Darshan, Darshan International, Phool and Melting Aromas. See the full profiles above.
6. Which agarbatti is best for daily puja?
There is no single best. Many households choose sandalwood, rose, champa, sambrani or loban for daily puja. Choose by fragrance you like, how much smoke you can tolerate and whether you prefer a masala or charcoal-based stick. If you want natural, hand-rolled options, explore our product range.
7. How do I find a reliable bulk agarbatti supplier?
Start with samples. Check ingredients, burn quality and packaging, then confirm MOQ, lead time, certifications and payment terms, and ask for references from other business buyers. Our wholesale agarbatti page explains how we work with distributors, retailers and exporters.
8. Can I start my own agarbatti brand without a factory?
Yes. Many new brands use a contract manufacturer for formulation, production and packaging. Through our white labelling service we offer custom fragrance development, branded packaging and flexible order quantities.
9.What certifications should an agarbatti manufacturer have?
Common ones are ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, along with GST and Udyam/MSME registration. Exporters also need an Import Export Code (IEC). Melting Aromas holds ISO 9001:2015, ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 14001:2015. Always ask to see certificates rather than relying on logos.
10. Is hand-rolled agarbatti better than machine-made?
Not automatically. Machines give high volume and consistency at lower cost; hand-rolling suits masala-style sticks and artisan production. What matters is the maker’s quality control. At Melting Aromas, each stick is hand-rolled and every batch is burn-tested before dispatch. See how we make it.
11. Can incense be made from recycled flowers?
Yes. Cycle Pure collects flowers from temples in Mysuru, Phool works with discarded temple flowers, and Melting Aromas recycles flowers from weddings and ceremonies.