Permanent Pictorial Cancellation : Rock Fort temple, Trichy

Recently I got a chance to visit Tiruchirappalli (aka. Trichy).  It is situated on the bank of the river Cauvery in the southern state of India, Tamil Nadu.  This city was part of several wars in ancient times and the important Carnatic war between the British and the French as it helped British to spread their dominance in southern parts. 

The "Rock Fort" is the pride of Tiruchirappalli. The Fort on a 272 feet high rock was first built by the Vijayanagar Empire and subsequently renovated by the British.  There are two rock-carved temples inside the hillock, the "Uchi Pillayar temple" ("Uchi" means top, "Pillayar" is the Hindu Elephant God) and the "Thayumanavar temple" ( “Thai” means mother and “anavar” means like a mother).  

The temples were constructed by Mahendra Varma.   While hiking the steps one will come across “Thayumanavar Shiva temple” first, people worship the Thayumanavar for normal and safe delivery.  Those who want to achieve their accomplishments visit the hilltop temple deity Pillayar. 

No wonder the Tamil Nadu circle came up with the permanent pictorial cancellation of this historic and religious significant fort.  It was first introduced on 17th December 1974. Then the cancellation of the rock fort was inside a square.  Another one was introduced in 1981 has the rock fort inside a circle cancellation. 

Those visiting Trichy and wish to get the cancellation, please visit the Trichy Philatelic Bureau, situated inside the Head Post office.  When I was visiting, I met postal assistant Mr. K. Mahendran, who is very kind and helpful.  He can be reached out at his number +91 9940743901. 

Those who are far off and won’t get the opportunity to visit this place -but would like to have the cancellation- please email tiruchirappalliHO@indiapost.gov.in to get the details or alternatively write to,

 

The Senior Postmaster 
Trichy Philatelic Bureau 
Trichy HO, Trichy 
Tamil Nadu - 620001 

Sri Rangam Temple

Sri Rangam is located in between two rivers, Cauvery (Kaveri)  and Kollidam (Coleroon) in Tiruchirapalli District (Trichy) in Southern India.  It is famous for Sri Ranganathasamy Temple, a religious place for the Hindus.  Sri Rangam is dedicated to Lord Vishnu (God of Creation).

This is the largest functioning temple in the world  (It covers the area of 631,000 square meters)  whereas Angkor Wat , Cambodia is the largest existing temple in the world (Since Angkor Wat is not functioning).  The Rajagopuram (the main tower) is 72 m tall and it is the tallest temple tower in Asia. 

Like all temples in India this temple also has numerous sculptors and art works and was built in the Dravidian Style of Architecture.

Below is the special cover which illustrates the artistic sculpture at the eastern entrance to the Sri Rangam temple. The stamp features Bhagawad Gita and one of the famous slokas from it. The cover was cancelled in Sri Rangam with the snake cancellation. (In Sri Rangam the main deity is in the sleeping posture on the snake). 

Bhagawad Gita is the part of the famous epic Mahabharata and it is the teachings of Lord Krishna, who is the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu.  It is the religious and philosophical book of Hindus.

The sloka which is written in Hindi can be read in English below:

Karmanye Vadhikaraste,

Ma phaleshou kada chana

Which means "You have the right to perform your actions/duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of the actions"