Well you know how much we love handmade and a ‘cottage industry’! We’ve been wanting to expand our incense offerings and have been looking out for a range that was different to our Japanese style versions, still grounded in a traditional style but was not run of the mill. Stupa of courier fitted the bill perfectly. So here is their story…..

STUPA incense is a socially and environmentally conscious business that supports the cottage industry providing employment to many local artisans in the Kathmandu Valley, essentially allowing them to continue their trades within their own homes. They have been in the industry for over 2 decades, their incense is handmade using the Lama Dorjee technique. Please note that when Stupa Incense started their business they were taught the ancient art of incense making by Lama Dorjee and his recipe continues to be used to create their incense to this day. Their business is based in the foothills of the Nagarjung Forest in the Kathmandu Valley and as a result they have direct access to a wide range of pure natural ingredients like herbs, plants, leaves and tree barks that are foraged, dried, ground down and then blended to create their unique incense sticks. Their packaging is either fully recyclable or re-usable and they are huge supporters of artisan hand made lokta paper with many of their products being either wrapped in this paper or actually packaged in stunning lokta paper boxes.

These incense sticks are made using resins, herbs, plants, leaves and tree bark. There are 40 x 10cm sticks with a burn time of 30 minutes each, packaged in a lotka paper envelope and box, and comes with a black ceramic incense holder. Burning dish is sold separately.

Himalayan Cedar: Himalayan Cedar has been used to create incense (especially temple incense) by monks since ancient times, it repesents spiritual dedication, faith and has calming properties allowing the mind to easily let go of any surrounding chaos or emotional heaviness in order to prepare itself for meditation.

Sandalwood: Sandalwood is one of the most widely used incenses in India, where the scent of sandalwood is prolific, gently drifting out of temples and homes alike. It is believed to be the scent that is favoured by the Gods and commonly used during meditation to assist in focussing the mind and connecting it to the divine. It breaks down illusions and allows you to align with your higher self.

Myrrh: Myrrh is known for its spiritual properties, it was revered by the Ancient Egyptians and heavily used in Christian rites. In rituals its used to heal grief, connect with or honour the dead and nurture inner knowledge. The smoke created from these incense sticks is perfect for past life work, connecting with loved ones on the other side, healing grief and inner work.

Austha Suganda: Valerian and LIquorice, exotic, aromatic, mild-sweet, Austha is a sanskrit word that roughly translates to "faith", whilst suganda translates to one of the four fragrances as defined in the Dharma-Samgraha, which is an extensive glossary of Buddhist terms in Sanskrit, written by a monk in 2nd century AD. The scent helps us to connect with the purity of our spirit and our innate knowledge that we are part of the whole universe.

Na Swa: spikenard, nagi, saldhoop, mace, gum-guggul, himalayan cedar, Na Swa roughly translates to beautiful scent, created to share a little of the incredible fragrances that are present in the Nepalese mountainside with the rest of the world.

Frankincense: Frankincense is traditionally used in ceremonies, rituals and also for meditation. It is commonly used for protection and purification rituals but is also perfect for the purpose of warding off any negative energies while attracting positive ones. This incense is also ideal for the purpose of creating a sacred space for meditation, healing or connecting with spirit.

Devdar: Devdar is the name of the Himalayan Cedar tree or "wood of the Gods", it is a hugely popular ingredient in Nepalese incense revered for its ant-bacterial, medicinal properties and has been used to create incense (especially temple incense)by monks since ancient times, it represents spiritual dedication, faith and has calming properties allowing the mind to easily let go of any surrounding chaos or emotional heaviness in order to prepare itself for meditation.

Citronella: Citronella oils are extracted from different spieces of lemongrass plants, it is commonly known for its use as a mosquito repellent, but it also has many other qualities. Citronella is ideal for improving air circulation and is recommended for reducing mold and humidity in any space. Citronella's distinct aroma clears the mind and leaves you feeling revitalised. It is perfect for use as garden incense.

Dorjee: Dorjee was created in honour of Lama Dorjee, the monk who assisted Stupa in learning the ancient art of incense making. In Hindu Dorjee also translates to Shining Light. Natural herbs, plants, leaves and tree barks like Sang, Clove, Kuth, Cinnamon, Valerian and others are locally foraged and then blended to create this unique incense.

Nag Champa: The Nag Champa fragrance is one of the most well known in the world, originally from India the scent is created using a combination of sandalwood and frangipani, the scent from this blend is a beautiful balance between woody and floral sweet and is hugely popular. It is used in temples, by practitioners of all kinds and daily by many people in their homes, bringing a sense of peace and relaxation to any space.

Remember to never leave incense burning unattended! Always place to a non flammable surface!