RETAIL THERAPY

From knick-knacks that double up as souvenirs to splurge-worthy silks, Mysuru has lots to offer.

Perfumed Pursuits In a city alive with scents, the Mysore Sandal Soap is readily available in stores as well as the 12 Government Sandalwood Oil Factory. This sweet, warm, and woody soap traces its origins to 1916, when the then Maharaja Krishna Raja Wodeyar I set up a factory to distil oil from the sandalwood that could no longer be exported to Europe in the wake of WWI. Mysuru is also a major centre of incense manufacturers in India, and a number of shops at the 13 Devaraja Market and Gandhi Square allow you to customise incense sticks using jasmine, rose, frangipani, and lily. For essential oils and organic cosmetic products, check out Dhatu Organics & Naturals ( dhatuorganics.com).