Gallery of Fakes
[Last update: 2025-06-12]
Fake incense sticks? – Yes, that’s a thing.
At least some are clearly making an effort to imitate the packaging design of certain brands.
Satya
There have been rumours about fake Satya incense, ever since the company split, probably fuelled by this because the packaging of the “other” Satya hardly differs, while the smell of the incense sticks is notably different.
At the beginning of the 2000s there was even a rumour that the masala would be scraped from the sticks, thinned with fillers and made into sticks again. So, for a long time, I thought fake incense sticks were just urban legends.
But since, I have actually come across “real fakes”.
NGR – Nag Champa
Although the brand name Satya is not mentioned, the design of the packaging is clearly based on their style.
The sticks are sold by a registered wholesale company in Germany. They also sell the original Satya BNG incense sticks.
In the case of NGR – NAG CHAMPA, I don’t want to assume any bad intentions. It seems to me rather like how discounters always design their versions of products in the style of well-known brands.
I have now purchased a pack of the NGR and will compare it with the Satya. Maybe they are even better? 😉 – Update: Link to the review.
Satya Sai Baba – Nag Champa from Nepal
The following pictures were provided by Redditor u/dangei. Here‘s the link to the original post.
They acquired them on a trip to Nepal.
The sticks do not appear to be masala, but dipped sticks based on sawdust. According to u/dangei, the smell is a bit cheap and perfumey, but ok for outdoors.
There are far more convincing imitations of Satya Nag Champa. Unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures of them.
Goloka
“Gauloka” instead of “Goloka” and very similar packaging.
If I find more imitations, I will add to the post. If you have found one, I would be delighted to receive pictures or links.