Thursday, 29 February 2024

Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Stamps

 Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Stamps

Sri Ram is a protagonist of one of the Indian epic Ramayana.  On 22nd January 2024, the consecration of Sri Ram temple happened in his birth(Janma) place(Bhoomi) "Ayodhya".  

6 postage stamps were released to mark the Ram Temple Consecration Ceremony.  It is unique in many ways.  

5 elements (Panch Boothas) were used to create these stamps.  Apart from that It is an odd-shaped Souvenir sheet.  

 1. Water - from Sarayu River

 2. Air      - Sandle wood perfume 

3.  Earth  - Soil from Ram's birthplace

4.  Fire    - The Sun design is used

 5. Ether (Akash) - is the host of all the above included in the design

Front side of the folder


Inside view of the folder


Souvenir Sheet

Lord Ganesh

Lord Hanuman

Sri Ram Temple

Kevat Raj/ Guhan


Jatayu

Shabari


Sunday, 11 February 2024

Hasthampatti PPC

 Hasthampatti Permanent Pictorial Cancellaion

Hasthampatti, a small town near Salem City, Tamil Nadu, holds historical significance as the residence where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his visit in 1934. Now housing the Hasthampatti Post Office since the 1980s, the building's room where Gandhi stayed has been converted into the Mahatma Gandhi Philately Museum since 1997. 

The cancellation mark from this post office features a hand-spinning wheel (Charkha) and the title 'Bapu' in both Tamil and Hindi, symbolizing Gandhi's legacy of Khadi cloth spinning. 

Image of Charkha

Charkha stamp issued by India Post in 2015

However, there's a discrepancy in the Tamil inscription on the new postmark, as it displays "UPபு" instead of the correct "பாபு." Can anyone shed light on this matter?

This cancellation is available at Hastampatti Post Office - PIN 636007.


Chandigarh PPC

 Chandigarh Permanent Pictorial Cancellation

Chandigarh, a city and union territory, serves as the capital for two states, Haryana and Punjab. Its name originates from an ancient temple, Chandi Mandir, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Chandi. Established as the first planned city in India after independence in 1947, Chandigarh is globally renowned for its architecture and urban design.

Among the images featured in the permanent pictorial cancellation is that of a rose flower.

Chandigarh boasts the renowned Rose Garden, named after India's former President, Zakir Hussain. Established in 1967, this expansive garden sprawls over 27 acres, hosting over 17,000 plants representing approximately 1,600 varieties of roses alongside several fountains. Hence, the cancellation bears the depiction of a rose flower.

The Open Hand Monument depicted alongside a rose, stands as an emblem of the Chandigarh government, envisioned by the architect Le Corbusier. Symbolizing "the hand to give and the hand to take; peace and prosperity, and the unity of mankind". This 85-foot metal structure features a towering wind vane measuring 46 feet. Weighing about 50 tons. It was designed to pivot with the wind.

The PPC also features a Yacht on Sukhna Lake with the backdrop of the Shivalik Hills.


You can acquire it at the Chandigarh Philatelic Bureau (G.P.O.) - 160 017.0

For my other PPC collections, please visit