Thursday, 7 December 2023

3100) 525th Birth Anniversary of Saint Meera Bai, Bharat/India: India Post has issued a postage stamp of 500 Paise (or Rs.5/-) on the famous poet Saint & Mystic whose lyrical songs of devotion to Krishna, the Hindu God are popular all over North India: Date/Year of Stamp issue: 23.11.2023:

3100) 525th Birth Anniversary of Saint Meera Bai, Bharat/India: India Post has issued a postage stamp of 500 Paise (or Rs.5/-) on the famous poet Saint & Mystic whose lyrical songs of devotion to Krishna, the Hindu God are popular all over North India: Date/Year of Stamp issue: 23.11.2023:

I have visited Rajasthan several times, including Chittorgarh, the Battlefield of Haldighati,  and visualized famous battles fought by the valiant Rajputs in the defence of their motherland, guerrilla warfare etc. perfected by Maharana Pratap.

There are several posts on this blog on the legendary battles too. 

But this stamp is on a lady Saint who was a Hindu Mystic and poet -  Meera Bai, who was born in 1498, Kudaki, India, and was a Hindu mystic and poet whose lyrical songs of devotion to the god Krishna are popular in Northern India.

If one visits Chhittorgarh (Chittor Fort), one gets a chance to visit the temple, where Meerabai used to sing her "Bhajans" ("devotional songs"). Music cassettes still play her devotional songs in the temple. It is as if time has stood still and one connects with events from over five centuries ago.

Meera Bai was a Rajput princess, the only child of Ratan Singh, younger brother of the ruler of Merta. Her royal education included music and religion as well as instruction in politics and government. 

An image of Krishna given to her during childhood by a holy man began a lifetime of devotion to Krishna, whom she worshipped as her Divine Lover.

Meera Bai was married in 1516 to Bhoj Raj, crown prince of Mewar. Her husband passed away in 1521, of battle wounds, and thereafter she was the victim of much persecution and intrigue at the hands of her brother-in-law when he ascended the throne, and by his successor, Vikram Singh. 

Meera Bai was something of a rebel, and her religious pursuits did not fit the established pattern for a Rajput princess and widow. 

She spent most of her days in her private temple dedicated to Krishna, receiving sadhus (holy men) and pilgrims from throughout India and composing songs of devotion. 

At least two attempts made on her life are alluded to in her poems. Once a poisonous snake was sent to her in a basket of flowers, but when she opened it, she found an image of Krishna. 

On another occasion she was given a cup of poison but drank it without any harm.

Finally, Meera Bai left Mewar and returned to Merta, but finding that her unconventional behaviour was not acceptable there either, she set out on a series of pilgrimages, eventually settling in Dwarka. 

In 1546 Udai Singh, who had succeeded Vikram Singh as rana, sent a delegation of Brahmans to bring her back to Mewar. 

Reluctant, she asked permission to spend the night at the temple of Ranchorji (Krishna) and the next morning was found to have disappeared. 

According to popular belief, she miraculously merged with the image of Ranchorji, but whether she actually died that night or slipped away to spend the rest of her years wandering in disguise is not known.

Meera Bai belonged to a strong tradition of bhakti (devotional) poets in medieval India who expressed their love of God through the analogy of human relations—a mother’s love for her child, a friend for a friend, or a woman for her beloved. The immense popularity and charm of her lyrics lies in their use of everyday images and in the sweetness of emotions easily understood by the people of India.

Meera’s mystic songs act as a soothing balm to the wounded hearts and tired nerves of those who toil in this world with the heavy burden of life. The sweet music of her songs exerts a benign influence on the hearers, removes discord and disharmony, and lulls them to sleep. Meera’s language of love is so powerful that even a downright atheist will be moved by her devotional songs. Meera’s songs infuse faith, courage, devotion and love of God in the minds of the readers. They inspire the aspirants to take to the path of devotion and they produce in them a marvellous thrill and a melting of the heart.

The Postage Stamp:

This Commemorative Postage Stamp issued on the 525th Birth Anniversary of Saint Meera Bai and remembers her teachings to the world on the ways to love God. 

The Postage Stamp of 500 Paise (or Rs.5/-) is titled - "525th Birth Anniversary of Saint Meera Bai (in both Hindi and English).

A First Day Cover (FDC) shows Meerabai at left with a deer. At top right is affixed a postage stamp of 500 Paise (Rs.5/-) cancelled with a special cancellation handstamp showing Meerabai in the centre. The Cancellation is dated - "23.11.2023".

TECHNICAL DATA:

Date of Stamp issue: 23.11.2023

Denomination: 500 p (or Rs.5/-)

No. of Stamps Printed: 201,600 pieces

Printing Process: Wet Offset

Printer: Security Printing Press, Hyderabad





Links:

Posts on G20 Leader's Summit in New Delhi on this Blog:

1) G20 Leader's Summit, New Delhi 2023, Bharat/India: India Post has issued a Souvenir Sheet (SS) of two stamps of 2000 Paise (or Rs.20/-) each commemorating the G20 Leader's Summit in New Delhi: Date of Souvenir Sheet issue: 26.07.2023

2) G20 Leader's Summit, New Delhi 2023, Bharat/India: India Government Mint (IGM) Kolkata has released a combo of Rs.100/- and Rs.75/- Quaternary Silver Coin set commemorating the G20 Leader's Summit in New Delhi: Date/Year of Coin set issue: 2023

Posts on "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav" on this Blog:

1) Did you Know Series (71): "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav" (Bharat/India celebrates the 75th Year of Independence: A set of four coins in the denominations of Rs.2, 5, 10 and 20 issued by the India Government Mint, Mumbai

2) Did You Know Series (74): "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav" ("Bharat/India celebrates the 75th Year of Independence"): A set of six coins in the denominations of Rs.5, 10 and 20 totalling Rs.75 issued by the India Government Mint, Hyderabad, together with a Special Cover issued by the Hyderabad Postal Circle of India Post

3) Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav: A Presentation Pack of Indian Postage Stamps prepared by the National Philatelic Museum, New Delhi comprising of : i) A First Day Cover: ii) the two Stamps of 500 Paise (Rs.5/-) and iii) the Information Brochure (IB): Year of Presentation Pack issue: 2023

4) Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM), India: "Special Edition - 2022-2023": India Government Mint (IGM) Hyderabad has issued two Presentation Packs in Coin Cards in the denominations of Rs.20/-, Rs.10/-, Rs.5/-, Rs.2/- and Re 1/- with the AKAM logo on the Reverse: Year of Presentation Packs issue: 2023

5) Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Bharat/India celebrates 75th Year of Independence: A set of five Coins in the denominations of Re.1/-, Rs.2/-, Rs.5/-, Rs.10/- and Rs.20/- released by the India Government Mint, Mumbai in 2023

6) Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Bharat/India celebrates 75th Year of Independence: A set of five Coins in the denominations of Re.1/-, Rs.2/-, Rs.5/-, Rs.10/- and Rs.20/- released by the India Government Mint, Mumbai in 2023

AMRITPEX 2023 (THE NATIONAL PHILATELY EXHIBITION) held at New Delhi from 11-15.02.2023:

1) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The "National Philately Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) WOMEN'S POWER: EXPLORING NEW HORIZONS": A Special Cover released on 12.02.2023

2) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The "National Philately Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) "WOMEN's POWER: EXCELLENCE IN SPORTS": A Special Cover released on 12.02.2023

3) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The "National Philately Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: 11) "WOMEN'S POWER: CONSERVING NATIONAL HERITAGE": A SPECIAL COVER RELEASED ON 12.02.2023

4) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The National Philately Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) WOMEN'S POWER: DEFENDING OUR NATION": A Special Cover released on 12.02.2023

5) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The National Philately Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) "DIVYANG: PRIDE OF INDIA": A Special Cover released on 13.03.2023

6) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The National Philately Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) "PUPPETRY: INDIA'S CULTURAL HERITAGE": A Special Cover released on 14.02.2023

7) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The "National Philately Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) "BIRSA MUNDA": A Special Cover released on 14.02.2023

8) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The National Philately Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) "GOVIND GURU": A Special Cover released on 14.02.2023

9) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The National Philately Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) "INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF MILLETS -2023 (FOXTAIL MILLETS, FINGER MILLETS, PEARL MILLETS, SORGHUM MILLETS, BARNYARD MILLETS, LITTLE MILLET"): A Special Cover released on 14.02.2023

10) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The "National Philately Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) "OUR FREEDOM STRUGGLE": A Special Cover released on 14.02.2023

11) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The "National Philately Exhibition"), held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) "NATURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA": A Special Cover released on 15.02.2023

12) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The National Philately Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) "ACHIEVEMENTS AT 75 YEARS": A Special Cover released on 15.02.2023

13) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The National Philatey Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) "UTI ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED (UTI AMC)": A Special Cover released on 15.02.2023

14) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The National Philately Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) "INDIA POSTS IN SERVICE OF THE NATION": A Special Cover released on 15.02.2023

15) Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM), India: India Post has issued a 500 Paise (Rs.5/-) postage stamp highlighting the initatives taken by the Government of India (GOA) under the programme: Date/Year of Stamp issue: 11.02.2023

Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav: Five Special Covers released by Philately Division, Dak Bhawan, New Delhi:

1) Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, India: An initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 Years of Independence and India's glorious history: i) "FREEDOM STRUGGLE"

2) Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, India: An initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 Years of Independence and India's glorious history: ii) "IDEAS@75

3) Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, India: An initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 Years of Independence and India's history: iii) "RESOLVE@75"

4) Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, India: Am initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 Years of Independence and India's glorious history: iv) "ACTIONS@75"

5) Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, India: An intiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 Years of Independence and India's glorious history: v) "ACHIEVEMENTS@75"

Links to Special Covers issued by the Rajasthan Postal Circle of India Post:

i) "Bikaneri Bhujia", (Rajasthan), India: Rajasthan Postal Circle of India Post has issued a set of eight Special Covers on Geographical Indications (GIs) of Rajasthan: Date of Special Covers issue: 18.08.2021

ii) "Makrana Marble", (Rajasthan), India: Rajasthan Postal Circle, Jaipur of Inda Post has issued a set of eight Special Covers on Geographical Indications (GIs) of Rajasthan: Date of Special Covers issue: 18.08.2021

iii) "Blue Pottery of Jaipur", (Rajasthan), India: Rajasthan Postal Circle, Jaipur of India Post has issued a set of eight Special Covers on Geographical Indications (GIs) of Rajasthan: Date of Special Covers issue: 18.08.2021

iv) "Thewa Art Work", Rajasthan, India: Rajasthan Postal Circle, Jaipur of India Post has issued a set of eight Special Covers on Geographical Indications (GIs) of Rajasthan: Date of Special Covers issue: 18.08.2021

v) "Kathputlis of Rajasthan", (Rajasthan), India: Rajasthan Postal Circle, Jaipur of India Post has issued a set of eight Special Covers (SCs) on Geographical Indications (GIs) of Rajasthan: Date of Special Covers issue: 18.08.2021

vi) "Molela Clay Work & Pokran Pottery", (Rajasthan) Postal Circle of Inda Post has issued a set of eight Special Covers on Geographical Indications (GIs) of Rajasthan: Date of Special Covers issue: 18.08.2021

vii) "Kota Doria", (Rajasthan), India: Rajasthan Postal Circle, Jaipur of India Post has issued a set of eight Special Covers on Geographical Indications (GIs) of Rajasthan: Date of Special Covers issue: 18.08.2021

viii) "Sanganeri & Bagru Hand Block Print", (Rajasthan), India: Rajasthan Postal Circle, Jaipur of India Post has issued a set of eight Special Covers on Geographical Indications (GIs) of Rajasthan: Date of Special Covers issue: 18.08.2021

Links to Special Covers issued by Maharashtra Postal Circle recently:


Links to Special Postal Covers/Booklet issued by the Maharashtra Postal Circle (2021-2022):















17) The Solar System: A set of eight Stamps of 500 Paise (or Rs.5/-) denomination each, depicting the eight planets - Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune & Uranus, brought out by India Post on 20.03.2018






Links to posts on Special Covers (SCs) brought out by Lucknow Postal Circle of India Post:







Links to posts on Special Covers (SCs) brought out by Chhattisgarh Postal Circle of India Post:




Links to posts on Special Covers (SCs) brought out by Karnataka Postal Circle 2021 onwards:














Links to Special Covers issued by Uttarakhand Postal Circle recently


Links to Special Covers issued by Madhya Pradesh Postal Circle:



Links to Posts on Special Covers issued by the Odisha Postal Circle:




Links to Posts on Special Covers issued by the North East Postal Circle:


Links to Posts on Special Covers issued by the West Bengal Postal Circle:








Links to Posts on Special Covers issued by the Tamilnadu Postal Circle:


Links to Posts on Special Covers issued by the Haryana Postal Circle:



Links to posts on Special Covers issued by Kerala Postal Circle:


IPKF Operations, Sri Lanka:


Links to posts on Army Post Office (APO) issues: 


























Other posts on the Indian Armed Forces on this Blog:












Links to posts on Mahatma Gandhi on this Blog:






Maximum or Maxim Cards:









Special Stamp Packs/Books:











Links to Posts on Our Solar System:
Links to posts on Mahatma Gandhi on this Blog:






Some posts on Banks on this Blog:







Links to some  posts on the Forts of Maharashtra:








Special Stamp Packs/Books:






India Post Stamps on Special Mugs:




Permanent Pictorial Cancellations:




Links to Posts on Indian Post-Cards:



























Commemorative Stationeries:




"My Stamps" Albums:
  
Registered Post Envelopes:


Links to Commemorative Stamps Posts on Indian Stamps issued during 2023:
































Links to other Commemorative Stamps Posts on Indian Stamps issued during 2022:








































Links to other Commemorative Stamps Posts on Indian Stamps issued during 2020:




Links to other Commemorative Stamps posts on Indian stamps issued during 2019:



















Links to other Commemorative Stamps posts on Indian Stamps issued during 2018:




























Links to other Commemorative Stamps posts on Indian stamps issued during 2017:
















































Links to other Commemorative Stamps posts on Indian stamps issued during 2016
































































































Links to other Commemorative Stamps posts on Indian Stamps issued during 2014 and 2015:































List of Commemorative Stamps Posts on stamps issued in 2013: 





List of Commemorative Stamps Posts on Stamps issued in 2012:






List of Commemorative Stamps Posts  on Stamps issued in 2011:



List of Commemorative Stamps Posts  on Stamps issued in 2010:






List of Commemorative stamps Posts on Stamps issued in 2009:




List of Commemorative Stamps Posts issued in 2008: 




List of Commemorative Stamps issued posts in 2007:



List of Commemorative Stamps issued posts in 2006


List of Commemorative Stamps issued posts  in 2005:


List of Commemorative Stamps issued posts in 2004:


List of Commemorative Stamps issued posts in 1996


List of Commemorative Stamps issued  posts in 1964:
  

List of Commemorative Stamps issued posts in 1961:


Commemorative stamps issued in 1931, 1947 and 1950:


 Postage Stamps from Thailand depicting Buddhist Jataka Tales:





Other Postage stamps from Thailand:


Forever Stamps from United States Postal Service (USPS):



Postage Stamps from the Bailiwick of Jersey



Postage Stamps from Gibraltar


Postage Stamps from Guernsey/Alderney Island:
Postage Stamps from Romania:


Postage Stamps from Kyrgyzstan:





Postage stamps from Tokelau:

UNESCO Postage Issues:

Postage stamps from Israel:

Postage Stamps from Norway:

Postage Stamps from Correos (Spanish Post):
Postage Stamps from Armenia:

International Philately Exhibitions :









8 comments:

  1. Rajan Trikha has commented:
    "Wonderful post 👍👍"

    ReplyDelete
  2. Santosh Khanna has commented:
    "A VERY informative article on Meerabai. Thanks for sharing this informative and interesting post."

    ReplyDelete
  3. Raj Kumar Srivastava has commented:
    "Beautiful stamp."

    ReplyDelete
  4. Satish Chandra has commented:
    "जय श्री राधे श्याम, जय महान भक्त माँ मीरा बाई 🌹🌹🙏🙏"

    ReplyDelete