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Mysore Sandal Soap, a GI tagged manufactured product of Karnataka

Photo: Shyamal L. / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Manufactured · Karnataka

Mysore Sandal Soap

GI Registered Karnataka Manufactured
GI numberGI-17
Typical price₹50 - ₹500
Verified cooperativesKarnataka Soaps & Detergents Limited (KSDL)
StateKarnataka

About Mysore Sandal Soap

Mysore Sandal Soap is a bath soap made with sandalwood oil and produced by Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited, a state-owned company based in Bengaluru. The soap is known for its distinctive warm, woody fragrance and simple packaging, and it has been a household name in India for generations. It is sold across the country and abroad, in a range of sizes and variants.

Heritage and place

The soap dates to the early twentieth century, when the Mysore kingdom, then a leading producer of sandalwood, looked for a way to use its surplus sandalwood oil. The project drew on the vision of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV and the engineer Sir M. Visvesvaraya, and production began around 1916. The GI recognises the product's link with Karnataka, where sandalwood has long been a symbol of the state.

How it is made

The soap is made by saponifying vegetable oils and blending them with sandalwood oil, which provides fragrance and its traditional association with skincare. The mixture is cut, stamped, wrapped and boxed at the company's factories. Because sandalwood is a protected and expensive resource, the proportion of pure sandalwood oil used in different variants is a major factor in cost and character.

Registry record

Mysore Sandal Soap is listed in this catalogue as GI-17, a Geographical Indication tagged product of Karnataka in the manufactured category. The name is legally protected: only producers within the notified region may sell under it. Confirm the entry in the official GI Journal before relying on it commercially.

◈ How to spot a fake Mysore Sandal Soap

What to check

Buy Mysore Sandal Soap only from authorised KSDL showrooms, large retailers and the company's official online channels. Check the manufacturer's name, batch details and packaging quality, because imitation soaps use similar cartons and names. Genuine soap has a consistent fragrance and finish, and the price should not be dramatically lower than the official rate. Report suspicious products to the company or consumer authorities.

  • The only commercial soap formulated directly with pure natural sandalwood oil distilled by the state. Look for the official KSDL seal.

Price to expect

Genuine Mysore Sandal Soap typically sells in the range of ₹50 - ₹500. Prices far below that range are a common sign of an imitation.

Where to buy

Look for authorised sellers such as Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Limited (KSDL), or government emporia and cooperatives in Karnataka.

Catalogue record

Catalogue record: GI-17 · Karnataka · reviewed

Frequently asked questions

What is the GI registration number of Mysore Sandal Soap?

This catalogue lists Mysore Sandal Soap as GI-17. Registration numbers should be confirmed against the official GI Journal before commercial use.

Where is Mysore Sandal Soap made?

Mysore Sandal Soap is produced in Karnataka, in the manufactured category of this catalogue.

Can Mysore Sandal Soap legally be made outside Karnataka?

No. GI protection means only producers within the notified region of Karnataka may legally sell goods under the name “Mysore Sandal Soap”.

What does genuine Mysore Sandal Soap cost?

Genuine Mysore Sandal Soap typically sells in the range of ₹50 - ₹500. Prices far below this range are a common sign of an imitation.

How can I spot a fake Mysore Sandal Soap?

The only commercial soap formulated directly with pure natural sandalwood oil distilled by the state. Look for the official KSDL seal.

Where should I buy genuine Mysore Sandal Soap?

Look for authorised sellers such as Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Limited (KSDL), or government emporia and cooperatives in Karnataka.