Kannauj Ittar Fragrance Cooperative Uttar Pradesh

Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh is India fragrance capital — a city of ittar perfume distillers producing natural floral and woody attars using deg-bhapka hydrodistillation. The ittar making tradition in Kannauj dates back to Mughal era. Kannauj produces rose, jasmine, marigold, kewra, khus vetiver, sandalwood, and aoud-based ittar. Cooperative distillers pool sandalwood oil base and share copper deg still facilities to reduce per-batch costs. Kannauj fragrance cooperative society connects small household distillers with Lucknow, Delhi, and export perfume traders. GI tag for Kannauj ittar was granted in 2014. Kannauj fragrances are exported to Gulf countries, Europe, and Japan for use in premium natural perfumery and aromatherapy.