4506) "45 Years of the The Art of Living": A Special Cover (SC) brought out by the Udayapura Post Office of Karnataka Postal Circle of India Post: Date of Special Cover issue: 12.05.2026:

4506) "45 Years of the The Art of Living": A Special Cover (SC) brought out by the Udayapura Post Office of Karnataka Postal Circle of India Post: Date of Special Cover issue: 12.05.2026:

Today has been quite an action-packed and fruitful day for me.

It began with me writing a post on the 96th Birth Anniversary of my mother Late (Smt) Uma Prasad and the comments have been still pouring in from all over India.

Then in the evening Sumita and I watched the celebration of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankarji’s 70^th birth anniversary celebrations, coinciding with the 45th Anniversary of the Art of Living, with a several artists and dignitaries coming forth to join the celebrations.

Then, when I thought that we have had a fruitful day, Sumita suddenly sent me the images of a Special Cover issued on the art of Living Foundation.

It was Kanchanji who had gifted me the Art of Living Foundation Special Cover (SC) on the 25th Anniversary of the AOL. I was so excited that I wrote the following post on AOL the very next day:

List of Commemorative Stamps issued posts in 2006: 

1) The "Art of Living" Movement, India: Celebrating the 25th Anniversary milestone (1981-2006): A Special Cover brought out by the Bangalore (present day Bengaluru) Postal Circle of India Post: Special Cover issue date: 17.02.2019

I could'nt help but write this piece late into the night:

The Front of the Special Cover (SC). It shows at the left top a seal titled '45 Years Spreading Smiles" with the Art of Living Logo in the middle.

At left the cover is titled in three languages - Kannada, Hindi and English - "SPECIAL COVER".

At left bottom the cover presents the "Dhyan Mandir" and at the centre top it shares - "45 Years of Art of Living" (in three languages).

At top right is a cancelled postage stamp titled - "SURYA NAMASKAR". The Cancellation stamp is of UDAYAPURA Post Office and is dated - "12.05.2026"

At the bottom of the Special Cover are 12 Yogic postures/exercises the Stamp set of which is in my collection which were gifted to me by the then Director General (Philately) at the Delhi Head Office. 

At the bottom is a motivational message - "Making Life a Celebration! Fostering well-being through Sudarshan Kriya, Yoga & Meditation since 1981".

The Back of the Special Cover (SC) gives the following narration:

" The Art of Living is a multi-faceted non-profit organisation founded in 1981 by the world-renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader Sri sri Ravi Shankar. Art of Living is present in over 182 countries, operates more than 10,000 centres and has impacted the lives of over One Billion people worldwide. At its core Art of Living inspires individuals to embrace human values, creating a more peaceful, harmonious and compassionate world. The focus is on strengthening individuals who are, in turn, inspired to contribute positively to societal improvement. 

This Special Cover is released on the occasion of 45 years of "The Art of Living".

At the bottom are the logos of the Art of Living, Swachh Bharat Mission, India Post and Karnataka Postal Circle logo. 

This Special Cover (SC) is numbered 251 out of 2000, meaning that only 2000 Special Covers will be issued.

The Approval number of this Special Cover is KTK/12/2026.

List of Commemorative Stamps issued posts in 2006: 

1) The "Art of Living" Movement, India: Celebrating the 25th Anniversary milestone (1981-2006): A Special Cover brought out by the Bangalore (present day Bengaluru) Postal Circle of India Post: Special Cover issue date: 17.02.2019