3199) Neelakurinji Flowers ("Strobilanthes kunthianus"): A Special Postal Cover brought out by Karnataka Postal Circle of India Post from its Madikeri Post Office on 22.10.2021:
Links:
1) Neelakurunji Blooms (Strobilanthes kunthianus"): A Special Postal Cover brought out by Kerala Postal Circle of India Post titled "Neelakurinji Blooms of God's own country" on 12.10.2018
2) Neelakurinji Flowers (Strobilanthes kunthianus"): A Special Postal Cover brought out by Karnataka Postal Circle of India Post from its Madikeri Post Office on 22.10.2021
The "blue carpet" spectacle:
Once every 12 years, the hills of Munnar in Kerala burst into a sea of blue - a rare natural spectacle. An endless stretch of rolling hills carpeted with tiny blue flowers welcomes the visitors.
This is the time, the "Neelakurinji" ("Strobilanthes kunthianus" - "Neela" translates as "blue" in Hindi and "kurunji" is the local name for the flower). The flower makes its "once in a twelve-year cycle" appearance, in the shola forests of the Western Ghats in South India.
This stellar phenomenon was seen last between the months of August 2018 and October 2018 when the flower bloomed in all its glory, unleashing a visual extravaganza.
The Nilgiri Hills, which literally mean the "blue mountains" have got their name from the purplish blue flowers of Neelakurinji that blossoms only once in 12 years.
The Nilgiri Tahr, the endangered mountain goat which is endemic to these hills comes ambling down the hills swathed in Neelakurinji and makes for an extremely breath-taking sight.
Why does the Neelakurinji flower only once in 12 years ?:
Among plants, there are annuals and perennials.
Annual plants complete their life-cycle in one year. They grow from the seed, bloom, produce seeds and die in one growing season.
Perennial plants, on the other hand, live for more than two years and usually flower every year and set seeds.
Some perennials flower only once in their lifetime, set seeds and wither away. The next generation of the plants are established from these seeds and the cycle is repeated. Such plants are known as monocarpic, as opposed to polycarpic plants that flower and set seeds many times during their lifetime.
Monocarpic plants flower only after attaining maturity. The time taken by different species may differ in this aspect.
Bamboos are monocarpic plants taking more than 40 years to mature and flower. Another characteristic shown by such plants is that these will flower gregariously in a single season. This happens in the case of bamboos and Kurinjis. The term "plietesials" (meaning "long interval bloomers") is used to refer to these plants. The time taken to mature varies in different species of Kurinjis.
As such, different species of Kurinjis have different intervals of flowering. Neelakurunji matures in 12 years' time and flowers gregariously once in a 12-year cycle/period.
Some Kurunji plant tit-bits:
- Neelakurinji is a unique plant, which grows/blooms only at an altitude above 1,300 metres to 2400 metres.and plucking them in the hope of growing them at home will result in a failed exercise.
- Greater the altitude, shorter is the shrub. In some lower areas one can find Neelakurinji which is 8-10 feet tall. The plant is usually 30.0 to 60 cm high, but under congenial conditions can grow well beyond 180 cm. tall.
- Sometimes, sporadic blooming takes place, which means that even though all the flowers bloomed in 2018 (last), some of them had bloomed upto two years earlier.
- The Kurinji plants are fire-resistant and act as a natural protector to the grasslands from forest fires and also check soil erosion.
- Kurinji is prominently mentioned in Tamil Literature, perhaps more than Kerala. The old poets from the sangham period had described the beauty of Kurinji in their poems. The famous poetic fragment " Red earth and Pouring Rain" from the Tamil Literary piece "Kuruntokai" makes an indirect reference to the flower. The name "Kurinji" itself is a Tamil name.
- Interestingly, the Paliyan tribe living in Tamil Nadu, used the Neelakurinji flower as a reference to calculate their age.
- There are different kinds of Kurinji. So far over 250 species of Kurinji have been identified, of which over 60 are found in India, with many more being discovered lately.
- The latest species of Kurinji identified is named after "Kannan", the legendary forest watcher, who passed away in Periyar sometime ago ("Strobilanthes kannani"). Most of the species show an unusual flowering behaviour, varying from annual to 16 year blooming cycles.
- Of all the long interval bloomers (or Plietesials), "Strobilanthus kunthianus" is the most rigorously demonstrated with documented bloomings in 1838, 1850, 1862, 1874, 1886, 1898, 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 and 2018.
- Kurunji once used to cover the Annamalai Hills, Cardamom Hills, Nilgiri Hills, Palani Hills and Bababudan-giri Hills like a carpet during flowering season. Now plantations and dwellings occupy much of their habitat.
Kurunjimala Sanctuary protects the Kurinji in about 32 sq. kilometres core habitat in Kottakamboor and Vattavada villages in Idukki district, Kerala. The "Save Kurinji Campaign" Council organises campaigns and programmes for conservation of the Kurinji plant and its habitat.
Eravikulam National Park:
Eravikulam National Park is located in Munnar, Devikulam Taluk, Idduki district, in the Indian State of Kerala and is the home and sanctuary of the Nilgiri Tahr (mountain goat). Once in 12 years, the Neelakurinji flowers that bloom here, make for a breath-taking sight.
The park, which is spread over 97 sq. kilometres, also has South India's highest peak - Anamudi (2695 metres) in its Southern area.
The park boasts of rare flora and fauna and bio-diversity of a high elevation shola-grassland system. Thereare rare terrestrial and epiphytic orchids and beautiful wild balsams along with the Nilgiri Langur, leopards and the Indian Bison.
The Special Cover issued by the Karnataka Postal Circle on 22.10.2021:
The Front of the Special Postal Cover (SC) is titled " Kurinji Flowers, Madekeri."
At left is shown Kurunji Flowers. A fiend of Kurinji Flowers is seen across the lower half of the Front.
A special stamp of 500 Paise (or Rs.5/-) depicting the flower has been cancelled with a special handstamp, in the centre of which is depicted a Neelakurinji flower.
The Cancellation is of Madikeri Post Office and is dated "22.10.2021".
The Back of the Special Cover gives a brief description in Kannada, Hindi and English as under:"Kurinji Flower: Kurunji Flowers are bell shaped and purplish blue in colour. The mass flowering of this flower happens once in 6-7 years in Kodagu during the months July to October.
They grow on slopes and plateaus at an altitude of above 800 mtr MSL. The local tribals use it to treat inflammatory disorders and the honey derived from it, is believed to have medicinal properties.
This year, the mass flowering occured in Mandalpatti and Kotebetta regions of Kodagu District wgicg attracted a number of tourists to Kodagu."
The logos of AKAM, Swacchh Bharat Abhiyan, India Post, Karnataka Postal Circle of India Post etc are given below.
The approval number of this Special Cover is KTI/52/2021. 2000 Special Covers have been issued of which the Serial Number of this Cover in 1407.
Links:
International Philately Exhibitions:
5) Specialised World Stamp Championship Exhibition, Bangkok, Thailand: Organised from 27.11.2023 to 02.12.2023: Bhartiya Dak/India Post participated in the Philatelic Exhibition
Greetings:
1) "Greetings", Bhartiya/India Postage Stamps, Bharat/India: Two sets of Stamps issued on "Greetings (4 Stamps - 2007) and "Season's Greetings" (2 Stamps - 2016)
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):
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:
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IPKF Operations, Sri Lanka:
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Special Stamp Packs/Books:
Links to Posts on Our Solar System:
1) Did You Know Series (34): World Stamp Show NY 2016, being held at Javits Centre, New York from 28.05.2016 to 04.06.2016
2) 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 Mahatma Gandhi on this Blog:
Some posts on Banks on this Blog:
Links to posts on stamps on six Hill Forts of Rajasthan (UNESCO World Heritage Sites):
Links to some posts on the Forts of Maharashtra:
Special Stamp Packs/Books:
India Post Stamps on Special Mugs:
Permanent Pictorial Cancellations:
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Commemorative Stationeries:
Registered Post Envelopes:
Links to Commemorative Stamps Posts on Indan Stamps issued during 2024:
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List of Commemorative Stamps Posts on stamps issued in 2013:
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List of Commemorative Stamps Posts on Stamps issued in 2010:
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List of Commemorative Stamps issued posts in 1996:
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List of Commemorative Stamps issued posts in 1961:
Commemorative stamps issued in 1931, 1947 and 1950:
Postage Stamps from Thailand depicting Buddhist Jataka Tales:
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Forever Stamps from United States Postal Service (USPS):
Postage Stamps from the Bailiwick of Jersey:
Postage Stamps from Gibraltar:
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Rajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very informative."
Thank you so much, Trikha sahab.
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