Before smelling Etro Rajasthan, I asked my friend Rekha, who grew up in Delhi (and who has visited Rajasthan many times), to describe the aromas of that Indian state. Here are some of her scent memories of Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur:

“Sandalwood incense burning in front of a musician playing the flute, early in the morning; kewra, flavoring a sweet yogurt lassi; Jaipur market, full of spices, car and scooter emissions, cows and stray dogs, a mass of humanity, street vendors selling samosas, chaat, potato cutlets, barbecued meats, garbanzo beans, ice cream, kulfi…messy stuff…all in afternoon heat; jasmine made into garlands for the hair; smoky evening fires burning as dinners are cooked; water being sprinkled on lawns to cool them for evening, activating the scent of earth.”

A heady mix!

I was excited when Etro announced its new India-inspired fragrance (and being really excited about a new perfume release is rare for me these days). Having never been to Rajasthan, my imagination ran wild with the fragrant possibilities. First there were the scents of foods and spices — almonds, condensed milk, jaggery, clove, cardamom, fenugreek, turmeric, dried mango powder, coriander, cumin. After the kitchen cabinet, there was the landscape to consider; though Rajasthan is a dry place, certain aromatic plants grow there…

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