Cottage Industries

Cottage Industries was started in 1949, under the guidance of The Mother, to provide Sri Aurobindo Ashram with incense sticks and mats, the surplus being distributed amongst devotees. In time, demand for incense arose from devotees abroad and the first export was made in 1973.

As our name suggests, we try and maintain a natural ambience and simple style of working, avoiding as far as possible an industrialised approach to manufacturing. We utilise recycled materials and integrate nature-friendly methods where possible.

Our product line has expanded to include perfumed incense sticks, perfumed and decorated candles, a line of soaps and body-care products and some ceramic, terracotta and wood artefacts.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram

Founded in 1926, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, which has grown under The Mother's guidance, is a diversified community of almost 2000 people from various parts of the world.

Situated in Pondicherry, the Ashram is a vibrant centre of life in a modern urban setting. The dynamic character of the community reflects the life-affirming aim of Sri Aurobindo. Work as an offering to the Divine is an essential aspect of his yoga and all inmates of the Ashram do a certain amount of work each day in one of the Ashram's numerous departments.

For more information, please visit the website of Sri Aurobindo Ashram.

Pondicherry

A peaceful, sun-bathed beach town would be an apt description of Pondicherry. A former French colony, Pondy is located about three hours south of Chennai, on the east coast of southern India. Its history can be traced back to the 2nd century BC when it was an important port of call, frequented by the Romans, Portuguese, Dutch, Danes, French and British. More recently, it is known as the place where the national poet Mahakavi Subramania Bharathiar wrote several of his masterpieces that fanned the flames of freedom and also enriched modern Tamil literature.

The present ambience is a strong yet harmonious blend of two distinct styles, the French and the Tamil way of living. Pondicherry takes pride in its colonial French architecture and has recently launched intensive efforts to preserve this architectural heritage that makes Pondicherry so unique.

Our Approach

Our products are a result of a careful selection of natural ingredients and eco-friendly methods of manufacturing. Our aim has always been to ensure quality and economy while being creative and not on being volume driven.

More than 98% of our incense is natural, containing herbs, seeds, roots, petals, perfumed bark, plant extracts and oils, all of which are carefully hand-picked. Cottage also specializes in making candles in various shapes and sizes. Dry flowers and leaves are stuck on the sides or surface of some of our more exotic variations. Our soaps, shampoos and moisturizing lotions use natural ingredients and are free from any animal fat or animal-testing.

Fair Trade Organisation

We are pleased to be members of the Fair Trade Forum, India (Member ID: PDY-007-0045).

Mechanisation of the handicrafts industry has marked a drastic decline in the quality of traditional artisanship, an art-form handed down over centuries from one generation to the next. Traders exploiting the poor but talented craftsmen presents a real danger to the sustainability of their inherited livelihoods.

Realising that a culture and its traditions were in jeopardy, Cottage has created new opportunities by providing employment to the affected artisans, including rural women and empowering them with financial freedom. This shows our commitment to the Fair Trade principles and to sustainable development by offering better conditions to marginalized village labour.