3955) 125 Years of Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (1899-2024),
Bharat/India: Bhartiya Dak/India Post has issued a 500 Paise (Rs.5/-) postage
stamp featuring the Observatory: Date/Year of stamp issue: 16.05.2025:
Nestled in the Palani Hills of Tamil Nadu, the Kodaikanal
Solar Observatory (KSO), established on 1 April 1899, has been a leading centre
for solar research in India for over a century. Operated by the Indian
Institute of Astrophysics, this longest-running astronomical observatory in the
country boasts one of the world’s longest continuous daily records of the Sun.
Originally an extension of the Madras Observatory (est.
1792), KSO’s focus shifted exclusively to solar observation in Kodaikanal due
to its strategic high-altitude location (2,343 metres), which offered optimal
atmospheric conditions.
The KSO has been a
place of groundbreaking discoveries since its inception. One of its most
significant achievements was the discovery of the “Evershed effect”
by John Evershed in 1909. This phenomenon, characterised by the outward motion
of gases from the sunspot penumbra into the photosphere, revolutionised our
understanding of solar magnetic fields.
This discovery earned recognition with a commemorative stamp in 2008.
The Observatory’s
contributions to solar physics are vast and varied. Researchers at the KSO have
made pioneering studies of sunspots, solar flares, prominences, and the solar
corona throughout its 125 years of operation.
They have investigated the Sun’s magnetic field, activity
cycles, and its impact on Earth’s climate. The KSO has also played a crucial
role in developing advanced observational techniques and instrumentation for
solar research.
The Observatory has meticulously recorded observations of the Sun’s photosphere and
chromosphere on photographic plates and films for more than a century.
To facilitate the study of historical solar activity,
including sunspots, plages, filaments, and flares, these valuable records have
recently been digitised, which has been made accessible to both national and
international solar physicists contributions to ionospheric research, and has
helped us understand the complex interactions between the Sun and the Earth’s
ionosphere, which has implications for radio communication and satellite
operations.
As a primary
centre for solar research in India and globally, KSO has trained many
generations of Indian astronomers via innumerable workshops and schools.
Strongly connected to the local educational community, KSO
also features a modern astronomy museum that attracts approximately 50,000
tourists annually.
The Postage Stamp:
- The Department of Posts has released a commemorative
stamp on 125 Years of Kodaikanal Solar Observatory. Recognising the legacy of
the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory through this stamp is a fitting tribute to
this key scientific institution of India, and serves as a reminder of India’s
significant contributions to global science.
- The KSO has pioneered solar research, and its
work remains vital today. By acknowledging the KSO, we highlight its role in
shaping our understanding of the Sun and its impact on our planet.
- In conclusion, the Kodaikanal Solar
Observatory is a national treasure that deserves to be celebrated for its rich
history, scientific achievements, and enduring contribution to society.
The Postage Stamp
The First Day Cover (FDC)
TECHNICAL DATA:
Denomination:
500p (or Rs.5/-)
No. of Stamps Printed:
303550 pieces
Printing Process:
Wet Offset
Printer: Security Printing
Press, Hyderabad
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
6) World Philatelic Exhibition, PUNTA DEL ESTE, URUGUAY: India Post perticipated with Six Special Covers in the Exhibition held from 17th to 22nd Fenruary 2025
7) HAFNIA 24, Copenhagen, Denmark: Celebrating 400 Years of Danish Post: India Post participated in the Stamp Exhibition held from 17.10.2024 to 20.10.2024 with two Special Covers
8) Specialised World Stamp Exhibition - EFIRO - Romania 16-19 April 2024, Bharat/India: Four Special Covers presented in the Exhibition by Bhartiya Dak/India Post featuring - Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, Taj Mahal and the Indian Peacock: Date of Special Covers issue: 2024
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)
AUGMENTED REALITY (AR) POST CARDS:
1) HEADGEARS OF INDIA, Augmented Reality (AR) Postcards, Bharat/India: Bhartiya Dak/India Post has issued a set of 16 Post Cards which are AR enabled: Post Card set issued by the National Philatelic Museum, New Delhi: Year of Postcards issue: 2025
World Earth Day:
1) 50th Anniversary of World's Earth Day, Vatican City: A 10 Euro Silver Coin issued by the "Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Roma" on behalf of Ufficio Filatelico e Numismatico Vaticano": Date of Coin issue: 16.10.2020
2) "One Earth, Republic of Fiji: A $1 (One Dollar) 1-oz Silver BU Coin depicts the concept: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2022
3) World Earth Day - 22.04.2025, Bharat/India: Bhartiya Dak/India Post has issued a set of six post cards on World Earth Day to highlight that we have one Earth only and we need to protect all our resourcesz: Date/Year of Post Cards issued: 22.04.2025
4) "Earth Day - Crystal of the Mineral Zepter Quartz", HP Mostar (Mostar), Bosnia and Herzegovina: HP Mostar has issued a postage stamp of 1.20 BAM featuring the Crystal: Datew/Year of Stamp issue: 16.05.2025
5) World Earth Day - 22.04.2025, Bharat/India: Special Cancellation Postal Stationary issued by Bhartiya Dak/India Post - a Inland letter, a postcard and an envelope which depict three of India's towering personalities: Date/Year of issue: 22.04.2025
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 2025:
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:
Santosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"A VERY informative post. Thanks for sharing this interesting post."
Thank you so much Khanna sahab.
DeleteRajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Amazing."
Thank you so much, Trikha sahab
Delete