3208) "Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Prabhupad" Bharat/India: "150th Birth Anniversary (1874-2024)": Bhartiya Dak (India Post) has issued a 500 Paise (or Rs.5/-) Postage Stamp to commemorate the milestone: Date of Stamp issue: 06.02.2024:
Born on 06.02.1874 in Puri, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupad was known by many names.
His given name was Bimala Prasad, which was conferred upon him at time of his birth in 1874 by his father Sri Kedarnath Dutta, who later came to be known as Srila Bhakti-Vinode Thakur. During his lifetime, he often used to sign as ‘Siddhanta Saraswati’.
As mentioned in one Sanskrit book, he is also referred as ‘Sri Varshabhanavi-Dayita-Das’. Gaudiya Vaishnava Sampradaya recognises him as "Srila Prabhupad" to this date.
He started his formal education at an English school at Ranaghat, in the district of Nadia, present day West Bengal. From his very childhood days, his spiritual inclination was remarkable. At the age of nine he memorised seven hundred verses of the Bhagavad Gita in Sanskrit. From his early childhood, Bimala Prasad demonstrated a sense of strict moral behaviour, a sharp intelligence, and an eidetic memory.
In early 1880, he was initiated by his father into "Harinama-japa", a traditional Gaudiya Vaishnava practice of meditation based on the soft recitation of the Hare Krishna mantra on Tulsi beads.
In the year 1887, he joined Calcutta Metropolitan Institution (Vidyasagar College) and received modern education to compete with others. While studying the compulsory subjects, he also pursued sanskrit, mathematics and jyotisha (traditional Indian astronomy).
His proficiency in these subjects was soon recognised by his tutors and he was awarded the honorary title “Siddhanta Saraswati”, which he adopted as his pen name from then on. Thereafter, he entered Sanskrit College, one of finest institutions in Calcutta where he added Indian philosophy and ancient history to his study list.
In January 1901, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami accepted Gour Kishore Das Babaji, as his spiritual master and received a new name "Varsha Bhanavi-devi-Daita Dasa". After passing away of his father and his Guru to the spiritual world, Bimala Prasad accepted Sanyas and started to be known as "Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami". Thereafter, he went on a pilgrimage of India’s holy places.
In India, the spiritual life of the people was plagued by the prevalent ugly religious practices and dogma. Srila Prabhupad was the first spiritual reformer who revived the tenet of Vaishnavism, the religion of humanity and universal brotherhood, as propounded by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
He spearheaded one of the most powerful reformist movements of the 20th century through establishment of Gaudiya Math in 1918.
This movement paralleled the efforts of Swami Vivekananda establishing Ramkrishna Mission. Srila Prabhupad’s movement presently extents throughout the World.
Srila Prabhupad was a preacher and preserver of “the World Hare Krishna Movement". Today this movement is praised throughout the world for rich Indian culture. He also spread the doctrines of universal brotherhood and peace.
In the present violence ridden world, Srila Prabhupad’s profound preaching of Vaishnavism is the epitome of non-violence.
In a world filled with conflict, intolerance, and violence, his teachings offer a new perspective on the importance of non-violence and compassion. The principles of Vaishnavism, emphasising devotion to Lord Krishna and universal brotherhood, provide a foundation for fostering peace and understanding among all living beings.
To propagate the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, he published spiritual magazines and daily newspaper, like Sajjan Toshini/ Harmonist, Gaudiya, Dainik Nadia Prakash in Bengali, Bhagbat in Hindi, Kirtan in Asamese and Paramarthi in Odiya. He also established number of printing press in different places to facilitate printing of these publications and other Vaishnava texts.
He sent preaching envoys to London and other countries in Europe.
To set the tune, in the year 1933, Shri Krishna Chaitanya, a voluminous English language book, portraying Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu as the protagonist of Bhakti, was released for distribution targeting the western elites. Srila Prabhupad organised several Bhagavat Exhibitions, together with Agricultural and Industrial fete at different places in India depicting local theme to educate people.
In the year 1935, Para Vidya Peeth, conveying the best and the highest form of all education – the education of self-realisation along with ‘Love for All’ at the cost of egoistic attitudes, following in the footsteps of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, was establish at Gaudiya Mission Bagbazar.
He also established several other Education and Research Institutions including, Thakur Bhakti Vinode Institute, a residential public High School and Thakur Bhakti Vinode Research Institute” for encouraging research and advanced studies in the teachings of Srila Thakur Bhakti Vinode and Gaudiya Vaishnav literature in general.
Srila Prabhupad vehemently opposed customary Hindu cast restrictions on social background as religious eligibility and the exclusive right of the caste Brahmins to interpret religious texts and advocated the view that Vishnu Temples should be opened for everyone.
He brought about a social transformation by removing all sectarian divides including traditional Varnashrama concept, orthodox religious practices, superstitions and dogma prevalent in the spiritual life of the people in India.
Srila Prabhupada was a great thinker, and his literary skills were remarkable. He influenced a group of well-educated adherents with missionary zeal, who joined him to carry forward his movement, particularly in India and as well as the western world.
Great freedom fighters like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Tripuradhis Maharaja Manikya Bahadur, Sri Madan Mohan Malviya and Raja Gopalachari were influenced by his social and spiritual work and believed that spiritual inspiration to the youth was vital for the independence of India.
On 01.01.1937 Srila Bhaktisidhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupad departed from this mundane world leaving his legacy of right way of devotional practices based on the ancient vedic scriptures.
The Commemorative Postage Stamp:
This commemorative Postage Stamp has been issued on the 150th Birth Anniversary of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Prabhupad and highlights his immense contribution in the spiritual upliftment of millions in India and abroad.
The postage Stamp of 500 Paise (or Rs.5/-) portraying Srila Bhaktivedanta Saraswati Prabhupad
The First Day Cover (FDC) portraying Srila Bhaktivedanta Saraswati Prabhupad at left. At top right is affixed the postage stamp issued cancelled with a special cancellation stamp/postmark depicting his portrait.
The cancellation is of New Delhi Head Office and the date of cancellation is - "06.02.2024".
TECHNICAL DATA:
Issuer: Bhartiya Dak/India Post
Date of Stamp issue: 06.02.2024
Stamp theme: 150th Birth Anniversary of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Prabhupad
Denomination of Stamp: 500 paise (or Rs.5/-)
No. of Stamps Printed: 201,600 pieces
Printing Process: Wet Offset
Printer: Security Printing Press, Hyderabad
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:
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:
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:
Links to Posts on Indian Post-Cards:
Commemorative Stationeries:
Registered Post Envelopes:
Links to Commemorative Stamps Posts on Indian Stamps issued during 2024:
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 2021:
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 Great Britain/UK:
Postage Stamps issued by Hongkong Post:
Postage Stamps issued by New Zealand Post:
Postage Stamps from Romania:
Postage Stamps from Kyrgyzstan:
Postage stamps from Tokelau:
Postage stamps from Israel:
Postage Stamps from Norway:
Postage Stamps from Correos (Spanish Post):
Postage Stamps from Armenia:
Links to posts on my Alma Mater - La Martiniere College, Lucknow:
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Rsanker Sharma has commented:
ReplyDelete"Wow, wonderful post."
Thank you Sharma sahab.
DeleteSantosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"A VERY interesting and informative post. Thanks for sharing."
Thank you so much, Khanna sahab.
DeleteRajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very detailed post."
Thank you Trikha sahab.
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