Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Sarita Sharma's house in Beti gram panchayat in Lucknow district, is easy to find. It is the one from which there is a waft of roses. Sharma, an incense cone maker, is busy spraying rose essence on a freshly prepared batch of dhoopbatti.

"Earlier, I used to do only chulha chauka bartan (household chores), now I support my husband with the family income. With an investment of two thousand rupees, we manage to earn three to four thousand rupees by selling a kilo of dhoopbatti. Every month, we manage to earn upto twelve thousand as additional income," Sharma told Gaon Connection.

"Jitni khushbu dhoopbatti me hoti hai, utni hi khushboo ab hamarey jeevan me hai," smiled Sharma. [Our lives are as aromatic as the fragrance in these incense cones.] Sharma is a member of Shri Ram Swayam Sahayata Samuh, a self help group under Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission.

Watch video:

Sharma shares the five easy steps to make incense cones at home:

Step 1: Add sandalwood powder and sora (burning) powder in the dhoopbatti mixture, and mix into a dough.

Step 2: Cut pieces, roll them and shape them into cones using the mould.

Step 3: Dry the cones for two hours in the sunlight.

Step 4: Spray the essential oils — rose, sandalwood, mogra — on the cones.

Step 5: Keep the incense cones in a plastic bag for two-three hours, pack them, and they are ready to be marketed.