Kevin's Watch

Amanibhavam, I just came across a pairing of words that supports what you said perfectly "...the cloying scent of attar..."

I looked up cloying:

To supply with too much of something, esp. with something too rich or sweet.

I think you hit the nail on the head

-Coercri

It almost sounds as if SRD was trying to describe the odor that you run into when you go into a funeral chapel. It is such an extremely strong odor of flowers that it is not pleasant at all.