Agarbatti is the Indian word for incense sticks that have been in use from time unknown in temples, puja rooms, and Hindu functions and festivities. To most of us, the smell of Agarbatti, especially, flower and sandalwood scented ones invoke memories of India and child - usually of a temple, or a festival or clean house. Attar are perfumes but unlike those from the west they are non-alocoholic and supposed to be pure extracts from flowers or natural oils. They are pretty intense and expensive if they are unadulterated. The smell of attars is usually associated with Muslims and I remember Hindus turning their noses down to Attars as being very strong and intense to their tastes.
Now I read that Agarbattis are slowly being replaced by Attars. The reason - Agarbattis emit smoke that many people suffering from respiratory problems cannot stand, where as Attars being being perfumes are respiratory-friendly. I read the same is happening in many Hindu households. Attars are in demand both during muslim and Hindu festival periods.
This may be start of a cultural shift among Hindus to use something that is popular among Muslims. In most of India, the Muslim and Hindu cultures are very distinct such as the way they dress, eat, talk, and live. But there are many cross cultural migrations such as use of clothing (sarees, salwar kameez), food (biryani, haleem) and even muslim saints like Kabir and Shirdi Sai Baba who have been taken over by Hindus. Most of the cross-cultural borrowing is done by Hindus. The use of Attars in places of worship by Hindus may be one of those happening unseen to us.
I have been to few of these Attar shops in old Hyderabad near Hyderabad. These Attars are stored in elegant crystal/glass bottles. Being pure in nature they could be overpowering. A single dab of it will last the whole day. Purer versions of Attar are very expensive. They are sold in milliliters. There are lot of claims about their medical values which I personally don't believe.
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