Among the Sacred Cities, I Collected Scents and Memories

(4 mins read)

If you ever ask my friends what gift I like the most, they will tell you two things: books or ittar.

I have always loved scented oils. There is something very personal and soulful about them. A small bottle can hold so much character, so much memory. Memories from Kolkata, from Bangalore and currently from different places in Hyderabad. I already had a small collection at home, but after my recent Umrah trip in January 2026, that small collection has now grown into something much bigger.

During my Umrah pilgrimage to Makkah, my only intention was to make the most of my visit to the holiest place in Islam. I wanted to focus on prayers, reflection, and gratitude. But as the days passed, another thought slowly entered my mind that I should take something special back home. Not just as a souvenir, but as a memory. Dates were obvious. And then, of course… perfumes.

Now, Saudi ittar is world famous. When it comes to concentrated scented oils, the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE, makes some of the finest in the world. French perfumes are popular too, especially the spray ones. But technically speaking, they are different. French perfumes are usually alcohol-based sprays like Eau de Parfum or Eau de Toilette. They project more, spread faster in the air, and are often lighter in feel. Ittar, on the other hand, is oil-based. It is concentrated, alcohol-free, and sits closer to the skin. It lasts longer and evolves slowly over time. It feels deeper, warmer, more intimate.

My uncle had already been to Makkah before, so he had some idea about what to buy. My younger brother and I were the curious ones. We contacted a friend who works in Masjid al Haram (lucky him!). He came along with his friend and guided us on what to look for in perfumes. He personally liked “Ranan” and “Ilbrince” from the Majed Al Oudh brand. He also took us around the area near the Haram.

And what an experience that was.

There are so many malls around Masjid al Haram. Every alternate shop is a perfume shop: Oud Elite, Ajmal, Arabian Oud, Rose Perfumes, Al Haramain, Surrati, Ahmed Perfumes, Al Majed, Osma… the list goes on. We tried so many fragrances. Honestly, very few instantly clicked. Sometimes the packaging was beautiful, but the fragrance was too strong. Sometimes it was nice, but too expensive. Choosing a perfume is such a personal thing.

Then we explored some local shops. We were mesmerised by the designs of the ittar bottles. Small 6 ml and 12 ml bottles, beautifully crafted, some with crystals, some with intricate patterns. Even the bottle felt like a souvenir. We spent hours trying different oils, testing them on our wrists, discussing notes, and shortlisting a few. But we decided not to rush. We were going to Madina next, so we thought we would explore the shops there before making final decision.

When we reached Madina, we were almost certain about one brand — Surrati. It felt right for us. Reasonable pricing, strong essence, and fragrances that suited our taste.

We searched on Google Maps and found a Surrati outlet very close to our hotel. Surrati is actually a heritage perfume house from Saudi Arabia. They are known for blending traditional oriental notes like oud, musk, amber, and florals with a slightly modern touch. They offer both concentrated oils (attar) and Eau de Parfum sprays. Their scents are usually deep and long-lasting, perfect for evenings or special occasions.

After trying many options, we finally bought three 100 ml bottles (Escape, Bakrat Rouje and Monte Blanc). These came in aluminium tin containers. From these, we have to refill smaller bottles for daily use. It may sound like extra work, but honestly, it was worth it.

Apart from that, we bought many smaller 12 ml bottles from different places:

• During ziyarat in Makkah and Madina, we bought Ameer Al Oud from guides who were introducing the historical places in the bus we hired.
• Outside Masjid e Qiblatain, we found some beautiful options.
• In Madina, we were so impressed by one guide’s ittar collection that we called him again and bought a full box of 24 pieces!
• At Lulu Mall near Masjid al Haram, we shortlisted one beautiful oud fragrance but didn’t get time to go back and buy it. Maybe next time, InshaAllah.
• On the second floor of Al Safa Tower near Makkah Clock Tower, we found a small shop with an amazing collection. We wanted smaller quantities of Surrati fragrances like Zamzam, Rawdah, Ehsas and others. The fragrances were truly mind-blowing.

Looking back, I realise it was not just about buying perfumes.

Each bottle now reminds me of a moment: walking near the Haram after prayer, exploring streets in Madina, sitting in the bus during ziyarat, discussing fragrances with my brother, debating over which one smells better. Every time I apply one of these ittars now, it takes me back there.

Umrah was, of course, a spiritual journey first. But these fragrances have become a beautiful extension of that journey. A scent has memory. And my home now carries the soft, warm memory of Makkah and Madina.

Maybe next time I go, I will come back with even more.

And if you are still wondering what to gift me… you know the answer. Books or ittar. 😊