• Mysore Agarbathi: Traditional variety of incense sticks manufactured in Mysore, Karnataka.
• Made using locally available natural ingredients.
• GI Tag: Granted in 2005.
• GI recognition is linked to its historical background and the geographical availability of its raw materials.

🏛️ History

• Incense-stick making became an organized industry in Bangalore during the 1900s.
• Locally known as “Oodabathies”, meaning blowing fumes.
• Early incense sticks were made from:
  • Natural ingredients
  • Charcoal
  • Gijit
  • Bamboo sticks
• Correct proportion of ingredients was important for quality.
• The Maharaja of Mysore patronized the production and promotion of incense sticks.
• Mysore incense received a Certificate of Merit at the Wembley Exhibition in London.
• The Kingdom of Mysore presented incense sticks as gifts to foreign visitors to encourage international exports.

🌿 Manufacturing

• Natural ingredients are finely ground into a smooth paste, including:
  • Herbs
  • Flowers
  • Essential oils
  • Barks
  • Roots
  • Charcoal
• The paste is rolled onto bamboo sticks.
• Sticks are dried under the sun.
• Important special woods/natural materials mentioned:
  • Sandalwood
  • Ailanthus malabaricum, which yields halmadi
• The source attributes the geographical significance to the availability of these natural materials in Karnataka.

🏷️ GI Status

• Registration was proposed by the All India Agarbathi Association.
• Application was made under the Geographical Indications of Goods Act, 1999.
• Submitted to the Office of the Controller-General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks, Chennai.
• GI protection restricts use of the name “Mysore Agarbathi” to qualifying manufacturers using locally available natural ingredients from the region.
• GI year → 2005

⭐ Exam Quick Revision

• Mysore Agarbathi → Karnataka
• Main centre → Mysore
• Organized incense industry → Bangalore, 1900s
• Local name → Oodabathies
• GI year → 2005
• GI Act → 1999
• Main base → Bamboo stick + natural ingredient paste
• Ingredients → Herbs, flowers, oils, barks, roots & charcoal
• Special materials → Sandalwood & Halmadi
• Halmadi source → Ailanthus malabaricum
• Patronage → Maharaja of Mysore
• International recognition → Certificate of Merit, Wembley Exhibition, London
• GI applicant → All India Agarbathi Association