New Special Covers…

GAYA STAMP FESTIVAL 2014

GAYA STAMP FESTIVAL 2014, was organised by  Bihar Circle of India Post from 22nd to 23rd Feb 2014 in Gaya, Bihar. A special cover on  22 February 2014 was released on the occasion by the Commissioner Magadh Division . The theme of the cover is "80 foot Buddha statue" The great Buddha Statue was placed in  presence of his Holiness the Dalai Lama. This statue is in meditation pose or' Dhyan  Mudra' seated on a lotus in open air. The statue is made of red granite and sand stone blocks and is possibly the largest built Buddha statue in India. Mr. Anil K Saxena distinguished philatelist of Gaya exhibited his collection in the festival and  has been  honored by the postal authority and the local administration.

MEGHAPEX – 2014

A special cover was released on the first day (19th Feb.2014) of 'MEGHAPEX' 2014, a state level philatelic exhibition and the Cachet designed for the special cover  was withdrawn on the last day (21st FEB)of Exhibition due to  error in Cachet design. There was a spelling mistake(Februray instead of February).

- Vishal Sanganeria, Guwahati

email : vishalsanganeria@gmail.com

Note : This cover seems to be inappropriate as the cancellation does not bear the date and name of the place, when and  where it was released.  It only shows the name and duration of the exhibition.

 

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International Year of Crystallography

 

Date of Issue : 14 February 2014

Slovak Post  post issued a stamp commemorating the International Year of Crystallography on 14 February 2014.

Crystallography is a science that examines the arrangement of atoms in solids. The word “crystallography” derives from the Greek krustallos meaning cold drop or originated in cold. A more current definition states that it is a science describing the atomic and molecular structure of solids and its relation to physical, chemical and biological properties. In 2014 we will celebrate 100 years since awarding the Nobel Price to Max von Laue for the experiments that for the first time revealed the atomic (crystal) structure of solid matter via X-ray diffraction. That is why the UNO announced the year 2014 to be the International Year of Crystallography. One of the basic thoughts in the search for a crystal structure is a presumption of its symmetry and of the periodic arrangement of its basic building elements – atoms, eventually molecules. Since we live in three-dimensional space, we intuitively – and usually correctly – understand three-dimensionally ordered structures. However, the improving experimental methods allowed us to discover that there is an important group of solids that deviate from this strict rule, while their properties are related to seemingly negligible deviations from the well-established order. With the help of electron density isolines in the Ta-Ge-Te alloy crystal the stamp shows that instead of the expected placement on the straight line, atoms positions are modulated so that they create a crenel, which ultimately results into the change of substance’s properties.

The motive depicted in FDC shows such usage of symmetry that abstracts (from bottom to top) from a specific atoms arrangement in a kaolinite structure to symbolic schemes of OD theory that reflecting the laws of symmetry, lead to simplified and more understandable presentation. The stamp on FDC represents a fragment of such a structure.

On commemorative sheet is a depiction of Laue’s diagram of a chromium compound crystal with a threefold symmetry axis in line with the primary X-ray beam. UV protective layer printed on surface of postage stampis derived directly from Laues’s diagram depicted on Commemorative sheet which is finally stamped by commemorative cancellation dedicated to honour of Max von Laue.

Club News

Special cover to be issued at Jodhpur on 20the February 

On the occasion of  inauguration of Bhagwan Parshwanath and Shiv Temple, a special cover is being released on 20th February 2014 at 1.00 PM at Umaid heritage, Foothill of Umaid Bhawan Palace, Defence Lab Road, Rata- Naada, JODHPUR, . India Post will provide special cancellation. 

- Sudhir Jain – Satna (MP)

District level Stamp Exhibition in Gaya organized by India Post

STAMP EXHIBITION, GAYA STAMP FESTIVAL 2014  FROM 22 - 23 FEBRUARY 2014

A special cover on Buddha  will be released during the exhibition. 

THE COMMISSIONER, MAGADH DIVISION  will inaugurate the exhibition and the Vice Chancellor , MAGADH UNIVERSITY will be the chief guest for the closing ceremony. During the exhibition quiz and essay contest will be organized.

- ANIL SAXENA,  GAYA    email: saxenaak273@yahoo.co.in

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New Special Cover on Buddha

 

 

Buddha Enlightment 2556 Years, Kushinagar – 13 December 2013

SSP (Post) Gorakhpur Postal Division, Mr Alok Ojha with Buddha special cover

A special Cover on Buddha was released today on  13 December 2013  by Gorakhpur Postal Division at Kushinagar.

 

Kushinagar  is a district of Uttar Pradesh, about  52 km east to Gorakhpur city. It is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site, where Gautama Buddha attained Parinirvana after his death.

It is said that the Buddha had three reasons for coming to Kusinárá to die:

1. Because it was the proper venue for the preaching of the Mahá-Sudassana Sutta;
2. Because Subhadda would visit him there and, after listening to his sermon, would develop meditation and become an arahant while the Buddha was still alive; and
3. Because the brahman Doha would be there, after the Buddha's death, to solve the problem of the distribution of his relics .

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: Ashwani Dubey – Gorakhpur : email : ashwani.dubey72@yahoo.com

 

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New stamps from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka

 

Save Tiger

Protect Mother – Like Sundarbans

Date of Issue : 30 July 2013

Here are some new stamps from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh covering a variety of subjects like wildlife, Flowers, Buddhism and educational institutes. 

 

Endangered animals of Bangladesh

 

Date of Issue : 30 July 2013

Flowers of Bangladesh

Buddha

    Date of Issue : 30 July 2013

New stamps from Sri Lanka

Christ Church Girls’ College, Baddegama

Date  of Issue : 5 July 2013

Yala National Park

  

Date of Issue : 28 July 2013

 

 

 

: Pradip Jain – Patna

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My recent covers..

 

Covers from Germany

Thanks to Mr Wolfgang Beyer for the nice covers with special pictorial cancellations from Germany.

     

 

Cover from Mongolia

Thanks to  J. Enkhbold , Mongolia  for this nice cover and card.

The cover and stamp on right hand side features Green Tara, known as the Buddha of enlightened activity.  This cover was posted on 13th June but it arrived here today !!

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Terror Attack on World Heritage Monument

 

It was shocking to wake up on Sunday with the news of the serial bomb blasts at Bodhgaya. There were nine blasts that occurred in the morning between 5 AM and 6 AM. This was a terror attack in and around ‘Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodhgaya’, a World Heritage shrine. Though it was learnt through news media that this attack could not affect the main structure of the Mahabodhi Temple, but the Bodhi tree is partially damaged.

 

One of the holiest Buddhist shrines, it was under this sacred pipal or Bodhi tree, where Siddhartha Gautam attained enlightenment and became Buddha, the Apostle of Peace. It is said in the Parinibbana Sutta that Lord Buddha himself identified four places of future pilgrimage: the sites of his birth, Enlightenment, First Discourse, and death. The position of the original Bodhi tree is marked by a platform in the temple ground and the tree that stands is believed to be a direct descendant.

In 2002, UNESCO designated the Mahabodhi Temple Complex as the World Heritage. In its justification for inclusion in the World Heritage list, UNESCO states:

The Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Bodh Gaya has direct association with the life of the Lord Buddha, being the place where He attained the supreme and perfect insight. The site of the Mahabodhi Temple provides exceptional records for the events associated with the life of Buddha and subsequent worship, particularly since Emperor Asoka built the first temple, the balustrades, and the memorial column. The present Temple is one of the earliest and most imposing structures built entirely in brick from the late Gupta period. The sculpted stone balustrades are an outstanding early example of sculptural reliefs in stone. The grand 50m high Mahabodhi Temple of the 5th-6th centuries is of immense importance, being one of the earliest temple constructions existing in the Indian sub-continent and one of the few surviving examples of early brick structures in India, has had significant influence in the development of architecture over the centuries. It is one of the few representations of the architectural genius of the Indian people in constructing fully developed brick temples in that era. 

 

Let us hope and pray that this one of the holiest shrines of utmost importance will remain safe and secure for many future generations.

- Pradeep Kumar Mallik – Patna

email : mallikphila@gmail.com

 

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New stamps from Sri Lanka..

 

Date of  Issue : 18 May 2013

Srilanka Post issued a set of four stamps and a miniature sheet featuring Vesak on 18th May 2013 and a stamp on Dhramasoka College on 4th May 2013.

Vesak Festival

 Vesak also known as Buddha Purnima is a holy day observed traditionally by Buddhists in Sri Lanka, Tibet, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and the South East Asian countries of Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Sometimes informally called "Buddha's Birthday", it actually commemorates the birth, enlightenment (nirvāna), and death (Parinirvāna) of Gautama Buddha.

Dhramasoka College, Ambalangoda

Date of Issue : 4 May 2013

: Pradip Jain – Patna

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