Kannauj : Perfume & Attar Capital of India

Kannauj, the Perfume Capital of India, is a small town in northern India known for producing attar, an organic perfume made from distilling flower petals. About three to four hours' drive from Agra, Kannauj appears like any other dusty north Indian town. A rich blend of fragrances envelops you as you enter Bara Bazaar in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, wading through the small pathways.

Since Harshavardhana, who governed north India between 606 and 647 AD, Kannauj has had a robust perfume business near the confluence of the Ganga and Kali rivers. Kannauj later supplied the Mughal monarchs with perfumes and perfume oils.

Even as you stroll through the old town's streets, you can't help but notice the aromatic note in the air; even the sludge flowing through the wayside drains has a floral touch to it. Some establishments are packed with glass bottles filled with ittar—native India's perfume—amid a few general confectionery and Attar shops.

They're used in anything from fragrances and essential oils for consumer products like soap and shampoo to food flavoring and even medicine. Even the distillate isn't thrown away; it's used to make agarbatti or incense sticks.

But Did you know that many years ago, the perfumers of Kannauj, a small village in Uttar Pradesh, discovered the knack of capturing the exquisite scent of fresh rain on dry land into a perfume? Long before the two Australian mineralogists, identified the chemistry behind the pungent odor and named it 'petrichor.' It is known as 'mitti-attar' and is one of Kannauj's most sought-after perfumes.

Since the time of Mughal emperor Jahangir, Kannauj has been distilling flowers for the production of perfume. in the past, the region had around 800 perfume distilleries. Kannauj's Ittar manufacturing abilities are passed down from generation to generation. Flowers and natural resources like musk, camphor, saffron, and other aromatic ingredients are used to make ittars. Summer variants often include flowers like white jasmine and herbs like vetiver. The soil is used for monsoon variations like Mitti attar, which smells like damp earth, and winter varieties like Heena ittar and musk attar.

Except in a few cases, natural perfumes are free of alcohol and chemicals. Attar made from rose has a powerful scent, whilst attar made from sandalwood oil has a long-lasting scent. The'shamama,' created from a co-distillation of various herbs and spices, is another well-known ittar from Kannauj. The shaman is made by multiple families, but each has its own unique formula, which is closely guarded.

In 2014, the perfumes of Kannauj were awarded a Geographic Indication (GI) badge, recognizing the traditional Attar-making process unique to this town. Kannauj is now India's only attar-producing center. The number of these industries has significantly decreased. Every year, it decreases as synthetic fragrances supplant attars in popularity. To allow the traditional industry to continue its authenticity and growth, it is critical to address this issue.

This perfume & attar capital of India has both domestic and international markets in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Singapore, France, Oman, Qatar, and others. 

Chandan Attar / Sandalwood Attar

The heartwood of the Sandalwood tree (Santalum album) is distilled into a highly treasured and traditional aroma known as Chandan attar, also known as Sandalwood attar or Sandalwood essential oil.

Desi Gulab / Rose Attar

Aranyam Perfume's Desi Gulab / Rose Attar is one of the best attars for men & women in the premium range. The richness in the fragrance instantly stimulates your mood, clearing all your mental clutter and calming it down. 

Heena Attar

Aranyam's luxury Heena Attar, a herbal blend of Majishtha & Nagarmotha extracted using the Gandhayukti Technique, is a stress-relieving floral formula suitable for both men and women. 

Kamal / Lotus Attar

Women are often multitaskers, managing their home and office simultaneously. However, in doing so, sometimes, the mind wanders to endless thoughts, filled with all the stress and worries.

Kesar (Keshar) Kasturi Attar

Khus / Vetiver Attar

Get an enchanting, out-of-this-world experience with Aranyam Perfume’s original Khus / Vetiver Attar, beautifully extracted from nature. Get an enchanting, out-of-this-world experience with Aranyam Perfume’s original Khus / Vetiver Attar, beautifully extracted from nature. 

Mogra Attar

Mogra flowers, also known as Jasmine or Jasminum sambac, have their origins in Southeast Asia, particularly in regions like India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar. These fragrant flowers have been cultivated and appreciated for their sweet, floral aroma for centuries.

Nargis Attar

Aranyam’s Nargis attar uses exclusively rich and fragrant Nargis flowers that mesmerize your senses. Stay fragrant all day long with ourNargis attar. The refreshing and subtle aroma of the attar oil fragrance makes it irresistible, giving you the confidence to embrace life with open arms. 

Parijat Attar

Aranyam Perfumes brings to you the exclusive Mogra Attar, specially curated to engulf you in the richness of its enticing fragrance. Family gatherings are usually memorable. And when it comes to weddings, we go above and above to be our best selves. 

Ratrani Attar

Aranyam’s Ratrani Attar, made from the elegant flowers of Night Blooming jasmines, is the perfect fragrance for summer due to its captivating aroma making it ideal for both men and women. Explore the Ayurvedic Wisdom of Ratrani Attars with Aranyam and Feel Your Best.

Suvarna Chandan Attar

Aranyam’s Suvarna Chandan Attar is best known for its luxury fragrance of Indian sandalwood of Mysore infused with premium quality sandalwood oil making it ideal for all occasions for both men & women.

Suvarna Desi Gulab Attar

Aranyam’s Suvarna Desi Gulab Attar is an Indian Attar known for its fascinating rosy aroma extracted from desi gulab/ Indian rose making it a 100% original & natural fragrance appropriate for both men & women.

Suvarna Jasmine Attar

Women love to adorn themselves with special things for special occasions. Romanticize your heart with our Suvarna Jasmine Attar for women for that special date night!

Suvarna Khus Attar

Enrich your masculine persona with a rare regal fragrance. Our Suvarna Series Khus / Vetiver Attar for men will augment your aura with the richness of its dominant scent. Enrich your masculine persona with a rare regal fragrance.