Fragrances to wear this Festive Season

Shahnaz Husain *

Festival and wedding season is here and it is time to prepare for endless celebrations, family gatherings, and social events that stretch from early-morning rituals to late-night parties. It is the time of year when families, friends and loved ones come together to celebrate the festival of lights.

As you prepare to welcome guests into your home during this auspicious occasion, creating the perfect ambience is essential. One way to do this is by using delightful fragrances that not only infuse your space with a sense of festivity but also leave a lasting impression on your visitors.

Selecting the perfect perfume for the festive season is an art that combines personal preference with the occasion’s mood. The right fragrance has the power to evoke emotions, set the tone for your interactions, and even become a cherished part of your festive traditions.

The scents associated with these festivals are more than just pleasant aromas; they are an integral part of the cultural and spiritual experience. From the calming scent during Navratri to the invigorating fragrance during Diwali, these scents are deeply intertwined with the Indian way of life.

1) Eucalyptus

Fill your home with the refreshing scent of eucalyptus this festival season. It will smell amazing in your home and have a refreshing and mood-boosting flagrance for you and your guests that matches the vibrant atmosphere of the festive season.

One of the simplest ways to enjoy the scent of eucalyptus in your home is by lighting a scented candle. Eucalyptus has a beautiful aroma. It can be used for its aesthetic appearance to decorate your home and the beautiful fragrance will keep your rooms smelling fresh.

Not only does eucalyptus look aesthetically placed among your Diwali decorations, it also has great benefits for you too. Eucalyptus aromatherapy can help soothe discomfort, protect against infection, and facilitate deeper breathing.

These candles are created to promote the health of the body, mind, and soul through comprehensive therapeutic care. Scented candles are the most reliable and easiest standby to get into the festive spirit, whether alone or with family.

The pollution level during diwali gets grave every year and one can use eucalyptus as an air freshener. Put few springs in a glass jar and place it in different parts of the home in whatever room you like . It will create a wonderful aroma of eucalyptus that will last anywhere between 1-2 weeks.

2) Rose

Rose, the queen of flowers, signifies love and beauty. Its sweet, floral notes create a romantic and sensual sensory experience. that can be used to infuse your home with this classic fragrance. The scent of roses will create a soothing and welcoming ambience.

There are over a dozen rose perfumes that smell fresh, modern, and chic and each one generally lends itself well to different accords. Rose oil is a pure distillation of rose that tends to smell cool, fresh and green. Rose extracts vary based on when and where the flowers were grown and processed.

Rose Attar is made traditionally using the age-old method devised about 500 years ago. The rose flowers used in the process are carefully selected for quality. ‘Rosa damascena’ is used to extract this attar. It is estimated that more than 50kgs of rose petals are needed for producing about 10 ml of attar.

The process used is Hydro-distillation, similar to many other attars. Musk is a rich and warm fragrance that is both spicy and sweet. Within the rose, it is produced in the stamens, as opposed to the petals, which means the scent easily shakes off and perfumes the air with its heady aroma. Musk Roses tend to be found in Ramblers

3) Sandalwood

Sandalwood is a versatile player in the world of perfumery which evoke a sense of luxury and sophistication. Sandalwood is one of the most revered fragrances in India. The use of sandalwood dates back thousands of years where it is highly revered for its fragrance and spiritual. Known for its rich, warm, and woody aroma it has been used in various cultures for its calming and meditative properties.

Its woody, sweet, and creamy scent is often associated with divinity and purity. You can use sandalwood incense sticks, essential oils, or even sandalwood-infused potpourri to create a serene and welcoming atmosphere in your home. Sandalwood’s calming properties can also help set a relaxed mood during the Diwali festivities.

Sandalwood fragrances are a favourite among both men and women. The warm and creamy scent of sandalwood blends well with various other notes, appealing to a wide range of tastes.

4) Jasmine (Mogra)

Jasmine, known as “Mogra” is a fragrant flower that blooms in abundance during Diwali. Jasmine is revered in ancient scriptures, beautified temples, homes, and hearts since time immemorial. Angel wing Jasmine, Wild Jasmine, Arabian Jasmine, and Lemon-scented Jasmine are all known for their scent.

Known for its sweet and intoxicating fragrance, jasmine flowers are small, star-shaped, and typically white Jasmine represents innocence, holiness and hopefulness.

They can be grown in pots, hanging baskets, or directly in the garden. Regular watering is essential, but overwater will spoil the plant. Pruning after flowering helps maintain the plant's shape and encourages more bloom.

The aroma of jasmine will undoubtedly create an inviting and lively atmosphere for your guests and commemorate the feeling of Diwali. The aroma of jasmine has a soothing effect, allowing one to relax in the midst of lively Diwali festival celebrations.

You can place fresh jasmine flowers in vases, string them into garlands, or use Mogra (Jasmine) Incense Sticks to fill your home with the enchanting aroma of this beautiful flower. Make a special Diwali gift with dried petals, spices and jasmine essential oil in a jar that will evoke the smell of the festivity.

Jasmine essential oil, with its ethereal fragrance and profound cultural significance, is more than just an aroma during Diwali.