From Tradition to Innovation
The Fragrance Legacy of Manohar Sugandhi
Manohar Sugandhi, founded in 1930, is a pioneer in the Pooja Samagri, including the Agarbatti (Incense) market, particularly known for its “Chandan Tika.” The company is renowned for offering natural, traditional, and high-quality products. This company has preserved the process of agarbatti by merging it with traditional Indian values. They focus on premium formulations that use the best-quality raw materials. With a plan to expand PAN India, brand Chandan Tika’s existing product line stands out for its innovative packaging while maintaining its traditional essence. By incorporating the latest technology, process automation, and family legacy into their operations, this company has risen to the challenges of the market.Pranav Shrikant Ganu, R&D and Marketing Head of Manohar Sugandhi, revealed in an exclusive interview with Sugandh India that his great grandfather Late Hari Aatmaram Ganu started making dhoop in 1930. Intially, he had a small workforce of five. With time, the family expanded the business, adding Flora agarbatti and, eventually, masala batti to the product line. This company sold everything through retail stores in those days before the Internet, digital marketing and social media took over. As a small company, they provided premium pooja products that reflected their dedication to quality and excellence.
Speaking with Sugandh India, Pranav Ganuinformed that a major turning point came when my father Mr. Shrikant Manohar Ganu introduced Ashtagandha (Chandan Tika) into the incense market. That product changed everything—it became our bestseller, and we’ve never looked back. We are the pioneers of Chandan Tika, setting a new standard with our high-quality offerings. While many manufacturers sell orange coloured cheap powder as Ashtagandha, we ensure our Chandan tika is authentic, using attars from Kannauj and the finest quality traditional raw material from different parts of India. With Chandan Tika, we offer a product with endless possibilities.
Pranav joined the family business early, and over time, he graduated in perfumery. Today, this brand offers eight distinct varieties under the Chandan Tika range. They are the only manufacturers in India producing this exclusive products in this catagory. Each state across the country has its preferences for the shades of Chandan Tika—whether it’s yellow or bright orange. Due to their long legacy and trusted clientele, they can cater to these diverse preferences with care and precision.
“Being the fourth generation in this business, I’ve been immersed in the knowledge of the incense market from childhood. I have contributed to the marketing, packaging, and process automation of Manohar Sugandhi. Our operations are fully automated, with no human intervention in the manufacturing process,” emphasises Pranav Ganu, adding, “Every day, our technology-based systems manufacture around 150,000 bottles of Chandan Tika. Our Ashtagandha is made from authentic ingredients, so maintaining consistent quality is crucial, especially for the fragrance. I oversee the quality, ensuring that every batch meets our standards.”
Pranav further informed that the manufacturing unit in Pune employs around 50 people. It is widely admitted that traditional methods and materials are everlasting. They never fall out of favour in the market. Rather than just focusing on finished product quality, they prioritise sourcing high-quality raw materials. The team of Manohar Sugandhi sticks to the same formulations and practices that have been running for generations, staying true to the pooja samagri roots.
“In this industry, labour and availability of genuine raw materials remain two significant challenges. Fortunately, the incense market in India is shifting toward premium products. Nearly 20 years ago, consumers sought economical options for pooja samagri, but today’s buyers are more conscious and inclined toward sustainable, quality and higher-end choices,” expounds Pranav Ganu.
Automation is the key to success. A committed workforce combined with automation drives the growth of the company. A long legacy since 1930 helped the company to create long-term trusted relationships about sourcing raw materials.
Currently, Manohar Sugandhi covers 12-13 states across India, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP, West Bengal, Telangana, Karnataka, Odisha, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, and Delhi. Further, they have their footprints internationally, exporting to Singapore and Australia. It has a vast distributor network of approximately 230-240 distributors selling around 120-130 products. The product portfolio includes Chandan Tika, scentedAgarbatti, Masala Agarbatti, Dhoop Cups, Dhoop sticks and Attars Roll-ons. Recently, they have ventured intoAroma oils for home care products.
“Our main goal is to cover PAN India with our bestselling Chandan Tika and other pooja products. The potential in this market is vast, and we see tremendous opportunities ahead. We remain committed to delivering uniqueness and authenticity—whether it’s in fragrance, packaging, or product concepts. Rather than the common offerings, our team focuses on the premium range, and our products speak for themselves with their quality and packaging,” concludes Pranav Ganu, sharing the business plans.
