3185) Ram Janmbhoomi Temple, Ayodhya, Bharat/India: Bhartiya Dak/India Post has issued a Souvenir Sheet (SS) of six stamps depicting - the new Ram Janmbhoomi Temple, Ganesh, Hanuman, Jatayu, Kevatraj and Shabri: Date of Souvenir Sheet issue: 18.01.2024:
I was monitoring the epostoffice website since 21.01.2024.
Late in the evening of 23.01.2024, the Souvenir Sheet (SS) was put up for booking. Only one Souvenir Sheet was permitted to be booked. I tried to book a second SS but it said, "Failed transaction".
A sum of Rs.200/- got debited from my account and the epostoffice took some time refunding it.
1176 Souvenir Sheets were booked on day one of which my despatch serial number was 191. Not bad, considering that the SS was getting booked like hot cakes.
As a result of the heavy load of bookings, the epostoffice was only able to despatch my SS only on the 6th February 2024.
Anyway, I received the SS today (08.01.2024) and was rather pleased about it.
About the Ram Janmbhoomi Temple:
Philosophy and morality are closely intertwined in Indian life. "Dharma" is the Indian word meaning "morals" and "ethics".
The word "Dharma" derives from the root "dhr" which means "to hold". Dharma, therefore serves to maintain the stability and development of human civilisation by acting as a unifying force within it.
"Ramo Vighravan Dharma" (meaning - "Shri Ram is dharma incarnate".
Maharishi Valmiki called Shri Ram "Dharmavigrah" in the Ramayan (or God incarnate for the welfare of the people).
Maharishi Ved Vyas said that the incarnation of Shri Ram was not just for killing demons but for teaching dharma to humans.
Patience, forgiveness, control of mind, selflessness, purity, restraint of senses, wisdom, knowledge, truth and mercy, these ten characteristics of dharma have been properly reflected in the entire conduct of Shri Ram.
A fundamental principle of Shri Ram's life conduct is to be aware of one's true self. If a man thinks aboout his real identity and controls his behaviour accordingly, then there can be an appropriate solution to the problems prevalent in the society.
Shri Ram's life and his human attributed are highly relevant in the modern world to discipline the mind and for continuously developing and changing the country.
A unique architectural style:
Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple at Ayodhya is unique for its geographical, historical cultural importance and architectural style.
The city of Ayodhya, situated on the bank of the holy River Saryu is considered a form of Ram.
Ayodhya is filled with many childhood life acts of Ram which ultimately played an important role in his transformation as "Maryadapurshottam".
The Ram Janmbhoomi Temple at Ayodhya symbolises the united faith of every Indian in the life of Shri Ram. The sculptures in the Temple Complex, spiritual symbols on the walls and the overall architectural style describes the divinity of Ram. This Temple is at the centre of renaissance of the spiritual energy on the great Bharat.
The construction of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple situated on the sacred birthplace of Shri Ram within a 70-acre complex is a significant endeavour undertaken by the "Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust" formed by the Supreme Court of India on 09.11.2019.
The main Temple is designed in the ancient Nagra style of Architecture, Stones from the mines in Bharatpur district, Rajasthan and spans a vast area of 2.77 acres.
The construction involves intricate processes, including cutting and carving of stones at Pindwara in Rajasthan, utilising advanced CNC technology for precision.
The final finishing, a testament to craftsmanship was meticulously done by a team of 1,500 artisans approx. The stones after carving were carefully packed and transported back to the Temple for assembly and construction.
Impressively standing at a height of 16.75 feet, with a length of 249.5 feet, the three storey Temple comprises five mandaps - Nritya Mandap, Rang Mandap, Gudh Mandap, Kirtan Mandap and Prarthana Mandap along with the main Shikhar.
It is a marvel of architecture, constructed in 26,500 Pink Bansi Paharpur stones, designed to endure for over a thousand years without incorporating steel. Each stone has been carefully inspected by National Institute of Rock Mechanics (NIRM) for its physical properties.
The Temple's structural integrity is reinforced to withstand seismic activities of Zone 4.
The ground floor boasts of 166 pillars, the first floor 142 and the second floor 82, including Makrana Marble pillars on ech floor, adorned with intricate carvings of over 10,000 moortis and themes.
Teak Wood sourced from the Maharashtra Forest Department, seasoned in Nagpur was used for the Temple's 46 wooden doors, with 14 doors on the ground floow embellished with gold plating. The opulent flooring covering an area of 80,000 square feet, was done with 35 mm thick white Makrana Marble, featuring an inlay of 15 mm thick coloured marble stones.
A special highlight of the Temple is the mechanism devised by the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, where during the auspicious day of Ram Navmi, "Surya Kiran" will fall on the forehead ("Surya Tilak") of Shri Ram.
"Pranpratishtha" at Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple was a historic day for the nation.
The Deity:
Ram Lalla, the five-year old form of Rama is the principal deity of the Ram Mandir.
Painting of Balak Ram:
Ram Lalla Virajman, the infant form of Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, is the presiding deity of the temple. Ram Lalla's dress was stitched by tailors Bhagwat Prasad and Shankar Lal, a fourth generation tailor to Ram's idol.
The unique set of Stamps brought out by Bhartiya Dak:
To make this moment truly unique Bhartiya Dak has conceptualised this set of six stamps which have been printed with the water and sand from Ram Janmbhoomi, carrying the consciousness and blessing of Shri Ram.
The stamps have the fragrance of sandal wood signifying the fragrance of divinity. To make these stamps radiant of the divine light, part of the Miniature Sheet is gold foiled.
The Souvenir Sheet (SS):
The Souvenir Sheet (SS) contains six premium stamps based on stories from the Ramayan.
The cover emulates every brick which is going in the temple construction which bears the word "RAM' (in Hindi). Similarly in the background of the Front Cover, the word "Ram" (in Hindi) has been engraved multiple times in small print.
"Aaj Pavitra Ayodhya Dham ki Virasat aur Bhagwan Shri Ranm ko samarpit smarak dak ticket jaari karne ka saubhagya prapt hua.
Is avsar duniyabhar mein prabhu Srri Ram par jaari ek pustak ka Anavaran Bhi Kiya. Mujhe vishwas hai ki smarak dak ticket aur yeh pustak aane waali kai peedhiyon ko Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir mein Pran Pratishtha ke is pavan avsar ka Smaran karati rahengi."
The Stamps:
Ganesh:
Ganesh, also known as "Ganapati", "Vinayak", and "Pillaiyar", is one of the best-known and most worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon and is the Supreme God in the Ganapatya sect. His depictions are found throughout India.
Hindus worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesh also extends to Jains and Buddhists and beyond India.
Although Ganesh has many attributes, he is readily identified by his elephant head and four arms.
He is widely revered, more specifically, as the remover of obstacles and the harbringer of good luck. He is the patron of arts and sciences and the dev of intellect and wisdom.
As the god of beginnings, he is honoured at the start of rites and ceremonies. Ganesh is also invoked as a patron of letters and learning during writing sessions.
Hanuman:
KEVAT – THE FERRYMAN WHO TOOK RAM ACROSS THE RIVER:
Kevat was the one who took Ram across the river Ganges. The fact that the stone Ahilya had been brought to life at the touch of the dust from Ram’s feet was something that Kevat had heard about. Although he was unlettered, he knew the miracle of the dust from Ram’s feet.
So he said to him, “I will not take you across the river Ganga unless I wash your feet first. The touch of your feet turned a rock into a woman. My boat is made of wood. What if it too turns to a woman at your touch? How will I earn my living and look after my family?”
Ram understood his sentiments and said, “Brother, we just want to go across to that shore. Do what you must to protect your boat.”
Thus, the emotional boatman was permitted to wash the feet of Ram, Lakshmana and Sita in a wooden vessel. He had enough dust to bless himself and his family. He then helped them into his boat and rowed them across the river.
Sita prayed to Ganga, that they might return hale and hearty after the period of fourteen years in the forest. When they came back on the Pushpak Vimana (Aerial Flying Craft), flying back from Lanka to Ayodhya, they stopped on the banks of Ganga so that Sita could again pray to the river.
When Kevat rowed them across the river, Ram realised he had no money or material object to give Kevata as payment. Sita then gave her ring to Kevata after great persuasion. But Kevata said, “Prabhu (lord), I have no desire for any material object. I have taken you safely across the River Ganga. Please take me safely across the river of life in return. That will suffice as payment.”
With Ram’s blessing and the dust of his feet, Kevat crossed the earthly river and reach the heavens. He is thus a venerable part of the Ramayana.
JATAYU:
Jatayu is a demigod in the Hindu epic Ramayan, who has the form of an eagle. He was the younger son of Arun and his wife Shyeni, the brother of Sampati, as well as the nephew of Garuda. He was also an old friend of King Dasharath, Rama's father.
During their youth, Jatayu and his elder brother, Sampati, under a wager, flew towards Surya, the solar deity.
Jatayu, careless due to his youthfulness, outflew his brother, and entered the Sūryamandala, the orbit of the Sun, during noon.
Due to the blazing heat of Surya, his wings started to get scorched. In a desperate bid to rescue his brother, Sampati flew ahead of him, spreading his wings wide open to shield him. As a consequence, it was Sampati who had his wings burnt, descending towards the Vindhya mountains.
Incapacitated, he spent the rest of his life under the protection of a sage named Nishakara, who performed a penance in the mountains. Jatayu never met his brother again.
Battle against Ravana:
The Aranya-Kānd of the Ramayan mentions that Jatayu is the "King of Vultures.
According to the epic, Ravan, the King of Lanka was abducting the avatar of Lakshmi - "Sita", when Jatayu tried to rescue her.
Jatayu fought valiantly with Ravan, but as Jatayu was very old, Ravan soon defeated him, clipping his wings, and Jatayu descended upon the earth. Ram and Lakshman, while searching for Sita, chanced upon the stricken and dying Jatayu, who informed them of the battle with Ravan, and told them that Ravan had headed South. Jatayu then died of his wounds and Ram performed his final funeral rites.
According to local lore of Kerala, it is believed that Jatayu fell on the rocks in Chadayamangalam in the Kollam district of Kerala after his wings were clipped off by Ravan.
The name "Chadayamangalam" is said to be derived from "Jatayu-mangalam".
- Jatayu Earth's Center Nature Park in Chadayamangalam features a 61 metres (200 ft) tall statue of Jatayu, which is credited as the world's largest bird sculpture.
- Lepakshi in Andhra Pradesh is also attributed as the place where Jatayu fell after being wounded by Ravan. Ram is said to have commanded the bird to rise, saying "Le Pakshi" (literally: "Get up, Bird" in Telugu), hence the name for the village.
- Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple in Thiruputkuli, Tamil Nadu is associated with Jatayu because the presiding deity, Vijayaraghav Perumal (a form of Ram), is believed to have performed the last rites of Jataya at this place. The water body where Jatayu fell is called "Jatayu Tirtham".
Thirupullabhoothangudi Temple in Pullabhoothangudi, Tamil Nadu is also claimed as the location of Jatayu's last rites.
Technical specifications:
Issuer: Bhartiya Dak (or India Post)
Stamp theme: "Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple"
Date of Souvenir Sheet issue: 18.01.2024
Denomination of Stamps: 500 Paise (or Rs.5/-) x 6 Stamps
No. of Souvenir Sheets printed: 10,00,000
Printing Process: Wet Offset
Printer: Security Printing Press, Hyderabad.
Links:
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AMRITPEX 2023 (THE NATIONAL PHILATELY EXHIBITION) held at New Delhi from 11-15.02.2023:
Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav: Five Special Covers released by Philately Division, Dak Bhawan, New Delhi:
Links to Special Covers issued by the Rajasthan Postal Circle of India Post:
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Rajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very interesting and informative post👍"
Thank you so much, Trikha sahab.
DeleteSantosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"A VERY informative post in regard to the postal stamps issued by Bharatiye postal service and effort made by you to obtain the set. Thanks for sharing this interesting post."
Thank you so much Khanna sahab.
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