Festivals of India - Hanuman Jayanti

 

 

 

Hanuman Jayanti

Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated every year by the people in India to commemorate the birth of Hindu Lord, Hanuman. It is celebrated annually in the Hindi month of Chaitra (Chaitra Pournima) on 15th day of the Shukla Paksha. Hanuman Jayanti 2014 is being celebrated by the people all over India today on 15th of April.  Here is a special article on Bazar Cards featuring Lord Hanuman by noted philatelist and author Mr Naresh Agarwal .

BRITISH INDIA BAZAR CARDS : MIRROR OF HINDU MYTHOLOGY

( PICTURING RAMAYANA AND LORD HANUMAN IMAGES ONE OF THE HEROES OF RAMAYANA AND THE IMAGINATION OF MODERN HINDU RELIGIOUS IDENTITY )

By By Naresh Agarwal

India 1906 Advert Bazaar Card shows Hanuman God carrying a mountain

BRITISH INDIA BAZAR CARDS :

Stamps are considered as mirror of art, culture, history, religion, mythology and other aspects of any country or society but it is not only stamps but other postal material and stationery also shares their part for the same purpose. Various philatelic materials depict and project various such aspects through the quotes, slogan, text or pictorial advertisements, vignettes printed on them and also through cancellations, labels and private text and sketches drawn / written on them.

British India period around the start of 20^th centaury saw a great revolution in changing trends of postal cards which were in immense use during that period. Postal cards gave new direction to postal culture and gave new dimensions to the utility of this mode of postal communication for various social, religious, business promotional and propaganda activities. Apart from those which had pre paid printed stamps issued by postal administration, that period saw a new culture of substantial use of private printed postal cards. Such post cards were developed mainly by the merchants of major cities of all over India who advertised their products or business through text or pictorial matters printed on the either side of the post cards or postal covers which used postal stamps affixed on them for payment of postage.

 

India 1905 Bazar Picture Postcard -Hanuman GOD

1900-30 "Bazaar" cards and covers were in fact illustrated advertising postcards and envelopes from various merchants in larger cities (Bombay, Delhi, Madras, Poona City, etc) promoting their products. These private printed post cards also showed printing of various pictures/ glimpse of various religions of India which were either printed by individual merchants / traders giving specific quotes and pictures or were also available in market with some standard pictorial printing done on either side of the cards. Such private printed post cards which were also on common sale in the market for usage even by non- merchants. Because those cards were mainly used by the merchants of bazaars of India for their business transactions and communication; the cards were known as bazaar cards.

Lord ram and His wife Sita : British India Bazaar 1906 Postcard

Some of the cards had pictures of heroes of various mythological epics of India showing various deities, gods, scenes / images of the episodes of the epics. These cards certainly helped in promotion of religious awakening and enthusing religious spirits in India. One will certainly see a consideration of the relationship between Indian bazaar art shown on bazaar cards of that era and the formation of a modern, pan-Indian Hindu religious identity. It is seen that the popular, mechanically reproduced lithographs of Hindu mythological heroes have attracted more attention than they have so far received from scholars of religion.

While some scholars in other fields have written politically about these images but one should take seriously their religious genealogy and treat them as vernacular religious texts where these images act as sources of insight into the formation of a modern Hindu religious identity. It is assumed that there is such an entity as Hinduism that is “Sanatana Dharma”

A close study of such cards revealed that there was a huge variety of such cards which highlighted Hindu Mythology on them as one could see the glimpse of Heroes of Ramayana, Mahabharata, various Hindu deities and gods & scenes / images of various other epics on the pictures imprinted on the cards covering partial, half or in some cases full side of such the cards and covers. These prints were similar to business card or letterhead known as ‘Corner Card’. It usually included a return address. These Indian Bazaar Cards also falls in this category.

Ramayana

Rama and his wife Sita, seated, with Rama's brother Lakshmana fanning them, and Hanuman, the Monkey God, kneeling in front of them. From the great Hindu epic, the Ramayana

Ramayana has been the main epic of Indian mythology and is followed by every Hindu. The main story of the Ramayana is about Lord Rama. In short the Ramayana is about Rama who was born in a royal family and was supposed to be the king, but because of his step- mother, he was forced to exile from his kingdom for fourteen years. During this period his consort Sita was kidnapped by a demon called Ravan, who was the king of Lanka. Rama with the help of his brother, Lakshman, and an army of monkeys under the leadership of Hanuman, rescued Sita.

Valmiki wote Ramayan in Sanskrit Sant Tulsidas wote Ram Chritmanas

Ramayana was originally written by a sage Valmiki in the Sanskrit language and later on it was translated into other languages in different versions. Sant Tulsidas wrote Ram Chritmanas giving details of deeds of Ramayana in poetic form. The main story of the Ramayana is about Lord Rama. In short the Ramayana is about Rama who was born in a royal family and was supposed to be the king, but because of his step- mother, he was forced to exile from his kingdom for fourteen years.

But the Ramayana isn't only about Lord Rama and his attempt to rescue his consort Sita. Ramayana is also about devotion, loyalty, family roles and respect to elders.

The Ramayana does not begin with the life of Rama, but actually with the people on earth who suffered from the demon named Ravan, a cruel king who terrorizes the people of earth.

Ravana : The Villain had ten faces

Rama gets married to Sita. Sita is an adopted daughter of another king. In order to win her hand, he won the contest of bending a bow, which belonged to Lord Shiva.

HINDU DIETIES RAM AND SITA

BAZAR CARDS 1906-TWIN COBRA OVERPRINTS- SNAKE CANCELLATIONS OF GWALIOR

King Dasrath intended to inherit his kingdom to his eldest son, Rama. But Sumitra another wife of Dashraths was provoked by her maid asks for exile of fourteen years in forests to Rama and her son Bharat to heir kingdom. King Dasrath who is in great dilemma and pain, eventually bows to her demands

Rama accepts his father's decision without any argument. He along with his wife moved out for exile. His brothers Lakshman also decides to join his brother in exile. They moved in to forests, crossed rivers..

Bazar card 1905 - Rama’s Exile : Ram and Laxman,Sita roamimng in forests.

They came across various demons. There in one forest,a female demon, Surpanakha fall in love with Rama and she tried to seduce him. Rama being a loyal husband refused to her flirts, so she tries to kill Sita. At this point Lakshman took his sword and cut the demon's nose. She went to her brother, Ravan, and told him of the disgrace that happened to her. Ravan decided to avenge this humiliation by kidnapping Rama's wife Sita. He even noticed that she is very beautiful and desired her.

Ramayana Boat Imag : India Indore State 1907 illustrated Bazar Card

To kidnap Sita, Ravan planted a beautiful deer near Rama’s hut in forest which Sita saw and urged Rama to get it. Rama ran after deer to get it. Later, Laxman also followed rama. And then, Ravna kidnapped Sita and flew to Lanka with her and placed her in a garden.

 

Ramayana Archery : Ram and Laxman chasing deer as requested by Sita Mata

Indore State 1906 illustrated Bazar card

When Rama returned, a vulture who had fought Ravna to rescue Sita, was found dying told them that Ravan kidnapped Sita. Rama and Lakshman decided to find out Sita.

RAMAYANA AND HANUMAN :

Rama and Lakshman needed an army to find and fight Ravan and they got this help from the monkeys. The king of monkeys who was exiled by his brother got Rama's help to fight and slain his brother. After regaining his throne the monkey king assigned one of his commanders, Hanuman to serve Rama in his assignment to find Sita.

Lord Hanuman could fly: Flying over Rawana’s Sri lanka : Bazaar King Edward Postcard

After reaching Lanka, Hanuman met Ravan who did not offer Hanuman a chair to sit. Hence Hanuman created his own thorn by extending his tail long enough and then sitting in front of Ravana.

 

India Bazaar Card 1905 – Ramayana image : Ravana surprised as Hanuman sits on his elongated/extended coiled tail

Ravana was shocked to see this and called his demons to set Hanuman's tail on fire. When Hanuman went to Lanka Ravana's soldiers tied Hanuman's tail with rags fabrics and Hanuman made the tail longer and longer. The exhausted demons set fire to his tail.

Now it was Hanuman's turn he jumped all over Lanka setting the entire city ablaze with his tail still on fire.In the fight between Ram and Ravana to free Sita, Ravana made an assault on Ram Seeing this, Hanuman, roving his club, came close to Ravana. To show the might of Hanuman, he did not hit Ravana with his "Gada", the Club, but gave a big blow with his free hand. Ravana's entire body and his ten heads were terribly shaken.

Hanuman who was capable of flying, flown to Lanka and found Sita in Ravna’s garden guarded by female demons, in a depressed mood. He proved to her that he was Rama's messenger and offered to carry her back.But to vindicate her honor she preferred that Rama himself should rescue her. Hanuman promised that Rama would come and rescue her.

Lord Hanuman Ji reached Sri Lanka

India Gwalior State QV 3p on illustrated Bazar Card 1904

After Hanuman's return, Rama planned his way to reach Ravan's island. Rama and his advisers planned a bridge to Lanka in the sea with trees and rocks from forests and arrived Lanka and offered Ravna a peaceful solution but Ravna’s refusal set a war in which even Rama and Laxman got hurt. The monkeys also began to get weak because Ravan's forces use biological weapons, which weaken their senses. So a medical expert in Rama's forces claimed that to neutralize that a special herb named Sanjeevani booti was required which existed in a far away mountain, named Mahodaya (Dronagiri in Himalayas).

Hindu Deity Veer Hanuman :Checking Herbs to find Sanjeevani Booti

BAZAR CARDS-1905 TWIN COBRA OVERPRINTS - SNAKE CANCELLATIONS OF GWALIOR

Hanuman flew to that mountain and found out that the mountain was full of different herbs, so he brought the whole mountain to Lanka. Slowly the forces got back to their senses.

Bazaar Card 1905 : Hanuman Ji carrying the Sanjeevni Parvat

Eventually after many battles Ravan faced Rama and after two continuos days of battles Rama kileds Ravan and visited Sita. But the Ramayana does not end here. The fact that Sita lived in another man's palace caused some rumors about her chastity. She was obliged to take a fire test in which she sat in a fire but came out unharmed and therefore was purified from charges.

Lord Rama with his brothers, wife and Sri Hanuman

India Indore State 1907 illustrated Bazar Card

In the original version of the Ramayana, after Rama and Sita returned to Ayodhya, the capital of Kosala the rumors about Sita's adultery in Ravan's captivity continued and therefore the people disrespected her. So Rama, who was now the king, decided to banish Sita from his kingdom. In the forests she met a sage named Valmiki, who later on wrote the Ramayana. In Valmiki's ashram Sita gave birth to two twins of Rama, Lav and Kush. Those two children learnt from Valmiki to sing the Ramayana as a poem and they went everywhere and started telling everyone the Ramayana, meaning Rama's story. They even arrived into Rama's court and told him his story and so Rama recognized his sons. He brought back his wife Sita who decided to prove her loyalty to Rama by asking Mother Earth to swallow her if she was loyal to Rama and so Mother Earth to testify her loyalty, opened up and swallowed her and Sita disappeared into earth. Later on Rama himself jumped in the river to end his life, followed by many.

- Naresh Agarwal : email : nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in

 

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Winter flora from Isle of Man…

 

Date of Issue : 6 January 2013

Here are some new beautiful stamps to be released by Isle of Man in the New Year. The first issue of 2014 by Isle of Man will  be released on 6th January 2014. It is the Winter Flora Miniature Sheet .  This is a beautiful miniature sheet capturing the flora  seen in the winter months.The next issue by the Isle of Man released on the same day is an issue featuring the Island’s reach culture.

APEX 2014 -  Philatelic Exhibition at Thiruvananthapuram

Ananthapuri Philatelic Association,  is organising a Philatelic Exhibition at Thiruvananthapuram from 28th February to 2nd March 2014.   The venue will be YMCA Hall, Statue, Thiruvananthapuram.  The exhibition will remain open from 9.30 am to 7.00 pm on all days. 

For more details contact V.Balakrishnan Nair, President,( Mobile No.09446028188) / P.Mohanachandran Nair, Secretary (Mobile No.09387801948) Email:apa.tvpm@gmail.com

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New stamps from Malaysia

The Baba & Nyonya Heritage

Date of Issue : 29 November 2013

Here is a magnificent set of stamps from Pos Malaysia featuring Baba & Nyonya Heritage   of Malaysia.The stamps and Miniature sheet show Nayanaware, Nayana slippers, Townhouse wedding couple and Nyonya Kebaya Embroidery.

 

Views and Opinions

IT’S TIME FOR MAKING 4th GENERATION THEMATIC EXHIBIT

  - Naresh Agarwal

It was nice personal conversation over phone with Mr. Madhukar Jhingan who had visited Brasiliana 2013, The world Philatelic Exhibition, in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil,a beautiful city of large country of North America. Well, he was pleased and if am not wrong mesmerized by the beauty of the place. Further more by the visiting philatelists and their associates from all over the world.

We often talk about dark future of philately with the incoming of new technology communication systems in the world which is making life of physical light weight mail harder. Letters are seldom written by hand and email has now taken over at most of the places even surpassing Telex, Fax , and Phonograms where as one has seen that Telegram to has gone back to its shell for ever at least in India.

The exhibition as per Mr. Jhingan who was accompanied by his wife a philatelist too; was superb with displays properly done, with exhibits of high order and philatelists of great sense. The exhibition as per him was a treat to watch, an open book to learn and enjoy & and a place worth visiting.

With all these good things spoken by him, the best I could understand of my interest was the One Day Jury Seminar cum Training Workshop on Thematic Philately which was open for qualified judges international, continental and national and also allowed to be attended by the foreign delegates of other participating countries. The aim with the workshop was to establish the new concept as the FIP Thematic Commission would adopt for training judges. The workshop focused on a limited numbers of judging criteria and work with them "in deep".

In other words the aim of the workshop was to improve the quality of judging viz a viz quality of exhibiting. Mrs Savita Jhingan was lucky enough to attend the workshop as a viewer. Apart from other power point presentations while discussing on different elements of thematic philately, the jury discussed on three selected exhibits from the ones which were on display at the exhibition and were awarded too. I must say I am lucky enough to be the one of those whose exhibit was selected for necessary discussion by the jury in that workshop. I hope my detailed discussion with Mrs. Jhingan will certainly bring good result and fruit for me for bettering my said exhibit on “Mail and Its Movement” as I have been given to understand various aspects of the same had been discussed in detail by the jury during the workshop discussing about the shortcoming in the exhibit and the area where the exhibit needed improvement and the ways to improve. Genuinely this is very highly appreciable move of FIP. This will certainly help exhibitors to improve the quality of exhibits not only in terms of presentation but in other aspects too to make impact on the jury and to make exhibit easy to understand by the common viewer.

The new and appealing words which were heard by Mr. Jhingan being spoken by FIP jury during the show was the exhibits of 2.5G, 3G,4G and even 5G (G refers to Generation Process) order. Which means, the jury now look forward for exhibits of high order with write up in proper but short and sweet form and giving statistical data in tabulated / graphical form wherever necessary and possible, usage of high quality display material, new protecting techniques, high order vocabulary to write better and knowledge of computer graphics and writing in a far better way and of course variety of philatelic material of highest available quality and rarity & short but well researched thematic and philatelic text..

One must understand that jury at this level has to prepare themselves in a far better way to adjudge the exhibit. Jury too has to be well updated in all respects such as philatelically, thematically and postaly. Only few days back, I wrote in one of my mail to Mr. Sandeep Jaiswal that like “India Study Circle” we should think about formation of “Exhibit Study Circle of India” so that before the exhibits are sent to higher level shows, they are adjudged by the highly experienced philatelists to guide the exhibitor for bettering the same. There are such circles already working at many places of the world but we need it to be in India. We should also think in terms of conducting seminars or workshops to discuss and design the methodology of preparing so called 2.5G,3G,3.5G,4G,… exhibits so that we may perform better in such philatelic shows.

I would like to recall my opinion written on Rainbow where in I showed my serious concern on the results of BRASILIANA 2013 where performance of Indian participants apparently did not appear quite satisfactory in Indian scenario. The reasons may be many. As gathered from Mr. Jinghan, when there are talks of 2.5G, 3G, 3.5G, 4G exhibits, certainly we are bound to get lower medals not because the exhibit is of low quality but there is a need of making necessary changes in exhibiting to stand at par with the generation process in progress. Though presentation has only 5 marks but proper presentation gives better impact on other aspects too as it helps the viewer to better understand both the thematic as well as philatelic elements of the exhibit. We can well understand that our exhibit has to be of at least 2 generations ahead. In other words, if we go back to about 2 generations and think upon the methodology of preparing exhibits, reflection of knowledge, completeness of subject, concept, treatment and development of theme; and further the quality of search / research and the variety and rarity of material used, we find that Ist generation exhibiting comprised of just fixing / display of stamps of simple and common topics like animals, birds, ships etc.( so to say topical philately) either on plain sheets or pre-printed albums irrespective of condition, presentation or any information. The period normally spanned from 1920’s to 1940’s. The 2^nd generation exhibiting spanned between 1940 to 1970’s which comprised of addition of some text mainly related to the stamps affixed by the exhibitor but no proper placement, no elaboration of thematic or philatelic aspects. The text too written with pen pencil and in whatever way. Paper quality was not of that high standard. The 3^rd generation exhibiting spanned between 1970’s to 2000.s when one saw vastly improved exhibits as some new variety of material like cancellations, postal stationery, stamp booklets and covers was used and there was better illustrated text and text placement. Type writers came in to play. It was the time when topical philately turned in to thematic philately. Then came the 3.5G, a little better both in terms of quality and variety of philatelic material with well researched specific text illustrations and then the 4G which required better knowledge, better search and research both thematically and philatelically, usage of even better and more variety of material strictly in line with the storyline in most suitable and befitting manner. It also calls for better development and overall balance of every aspect of exhibit. So to say well advance quality thematic exhibiting.

In all, in the last 15 years, there has been vast change in thematic philatelic exhibiting and the ways to judge such exhibits. There was lack uniformity in past but now there is standardization in every aspect of philatelic exhibiting. There are electronic means to get information and acquire knowledge, there are computers to make presentation better and best utilize the space with the usage of desired font and language and letter style, there is variety of philatelic material which has been searched and so can find place in the exhibit and above all, there are variety of subjects which can be chosen and exhibited. Hence, today is the time of high quality advance exhibits. Comparative analysis with the exhibits world over has too become easy and so the competition so to say has increased calling for betterment and quality in every aspect of exhibiting.

This also calls for a better understanding by the exhibitor of every aspect of his exhibit so that with the same material, a better exhibit may be prepared which calls for change in presentation, shuffling material, changing plan by acquiring more knowledge and slight change in the plan, of course. For sure the same exhibit can get better award by slight changes, if done properly. It is time that we should come forward and discuss on this generation process in thematic exhibiting. Let’s conduct workshops and seminars on this. Let’s write and make philatelists aware of this standard of exhibiting .

: Naresh Agarwal - email : nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in

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Stamp on Hanukkah festival from USPS..

 

Date of Issue : 19 November 2013

US Postal Service issued a stamp on Jewish festival, Hanukkah . The festival is  celebrated by Jewish people around the world, Hanukkah, the joyous Festival of Lights, spans eight nights and days of remembrance and ritual.

Central to the celebration is the hanukiah, a nine-branched menorah used only at Hanukkah. Eight of its branches represent each of the eight nights and days of Hanukkah, and the ninth, the shamash or “the servant,” is used to light the other candles. The stamp, first issued in 2013, is a photograph of a contemporary forged-iron hanukiah created by Vermont blacksmith Steven Bronstein. Nine lighted white beeswax candles top each of the branches. The word “Hanukkah” is spelled out across the top of the stamp in yellow letters.

Hanukkah is the Hebrew word for “dedication.” Tradition relates how a miracle took place during the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been desecrated. The sacramental oil, thought to be enough for only one day, burned for eight days. The miracle of the oil is at the heart of the ritual of the lighting of the hanukiah.

The celebration of Hanukkah begins on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, a date that falls in late November or December. In 2014, Hanukkah begins at sundown on December 16.

Hanukkah is the Hebrew word for “dedication.” Tradition relates how a miracle took place during the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been desecrated. The sacramental oil, thought to be enough for only one day, burned for eight days.

The miracle of the oil is at the heart of the ritual of the lighting of the hanukiah, a menorah — candelabra — with nine branches, one for each of the eight nights and days of Hanukkah, and the ninth, the shamash or “the servant,” used to light the other candles. The hanukiah, used only at Hanukkah, is traditionally placed in the window of the home to proclaim the miracle to passersby.

After the lighting of the candles, family members might sing traditional songs and exchange gifts. Children play a game called dreidel. Competing for a pot of chocolate coins, nuts, pennies, or other prizes, each player takes turns spinning the dreidel, a four-sided top with letters on each side that form an acronym for the Hebrew saying “A great miracle happened there.” Depending on the outcome of the dreidel’s spin, the player either takes from or gives to the pot. The game ends when one player has won all the treats.

Feasting is an important part of the celebration as well. Foods associated with Hanukkah include latkes, potato cakes fried in oil; bimuelos, fried dough dipped in honey or sugar; and sufganiot, fried jelly doughnuts.

The eight nights and days of Hanukkah begin on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, a date that falls in late November or December. In 2013, Hanukkah begins at sundown Nov. 27.

 

From our Readers…

Mr Timir Shah of Vadodara shares here  stamp sheet  of recent Sachin’s stamp issue. The  Inscriptional Margin of Sachin Tendulakar's 200 test match stamp sheet  shows that stamp was printed on 2nd November 2013.

 

 

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Stamps for New Born….

 

 

New Caledonia Post issued  two new stamps to commemorate the birth of a baby boy or a baby girl. These postage stamps are the perfect addition to a baby shower invitations, birth announcements for the brand new baby girl or baby boy or letter updates about the beautiful baby.

Why have stunning invitations with plain envelopes if the greatest way to announce the birth of the little bundle of joy is sending mails with these stamps, so that all friends and family can celebrate the happy occasion with the sender! Baby boy birth postage stamp is made in blue, girl birth can be announced with a pink stamp.

New stamps from Brazil

Brazilian Cemeteries

In this issue, the Brazilian Post presents four Brazilian cemeteries that have been listed by IPHAN, Brazil’s Historic and Artistic National Heritage Institute, ensuring that they are recognized as Brazilian Cultural Heritage: Santa Isabel Cemetery in Mucuge (state of Bahia), the Gateway to Arez Cemetery (state of Rio Grande do Norte), the Batalhao Cemetery (state of Piaui) and the Soledade Cemetery (state of Para).

Arez Cemetery is represented by a close-up of its listed gateway. Batalhao Cemetery is represented by some graves and a tree, highlighting the place’s simplicity. The white tombs in front of the background mountains are the highlighted features of the Santa Isabel Cemetery. The stamp showing Soledade Cemetery focuses on the image of one of the many statues that adorn the site. The use of the silver color gives the stamps an air of relic and preciousness, enhancing the perception of cemeteries as places to be preserved for their cultural heritage. The technique used was vector illustration.

Source : International Stamp News

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New Special Cover Uttarakhand…

 

 

 

A special cover and special cancellation on Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra was released on 21 Aug 2013, at Hotel Madhuban, Rajpur Road, Dehradun by Sh. Vijay Bahuguna, CM, Uttarakhand and Sh. Tarun Vijay, MP, Rajyasabha. CPMG, Uttarakhand Circle Sh. Ramanujan presented the album to the dignitaries. Abhai Mishra, Rajesh Varma, Madhukar Jhingan and Savita Jhingan were present from the philatelic fraternity at the special cover release function..

 

“Kala Samman" was bestowed on Abhai Mishra and Rajesh Varma for serving the cause of philately by the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.

 

 

 

Other than this, two customized sheetlet of My Stamps on Nanda Devi peak and four horned ram (khadu) was issued on 19 Aug 2013. 

The special cover and the customized My Stamp sheet-lets can be ordered from the Senior Post Master, Dehradun GPO-248001 (Ph. 0135-2655141).

: Abhai Mishra – Dehradun

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Traditional Portuguese Festivities…

 

  

Date of Issue : 22 July 2013

Portuguese Post issued a set of stamps on 23 July 2013 featuring traditional festivities of Portugal.

The “Festa de São Mateus” (Feast of Saint Mateus) being an icon of the city of Viseu, is said to have been established as a free fair since 1392. History also claims that it was a gift from king João I, Master of Avis, on account of Viseu being the only Portuguese city to have been on his side during the 1383-1385 crisis. From the 16th century onwards, it became known as Feira de São Mateus (São Mateus Fair), its current name, and with its more than 620 years of existence, is considered one of the oldest fairs in the country and maybe even in the Iberian Peninsula. Within an area of about 18,000 m2, hundreds of merchants and vendors, mainly of local gastronomy and handicrafts, join a varied programme of musical and sports shows, attracting thousands of visitors throughout the 40 days of the event, from mid-August to mid- September.

  

The “Festa da Senhora da Agonia de Viana do Castelo” (Feast of Our Lady of Agony, Viana do Castelo), held in August, is a prominent hallmark in the world of Portuguese pilgrimage. The feast is famous for the luxury of the costumes, the gold worn by the major-domos and for the richness of the ethnographic procession, and includes religious processions, parades, the “gigantones e cabeçudos” (giants and big-headed puppets) variety show, as well as groups of bass drummers, pipers and “Zés-Pereiras”, a huge folk festivity and the famous Minho firework displays. The main trait is the devotion of the seamen, who reciprocate the grace received during storms and shipwrecks. The main float is therefore traditionally transported by fishermen; since 1968, a river procession started being held at the Lima River, featuring the statue of this saint. The “Festa de Santo Estevão” (Feast of Saint Estevão) in Ousilhão is part of the Cycle of the Twelve Days of Northeast Trás-os-Montes, celebrated around the time of the Winter solstice. Besides the important role of the “Caretos”1, who are offending characters who ritually steal the smoker during the rounds, the major-domos of these festivities include a king, vassals and young men. The food ritual, in this case, involves a group meal – the table of St. Estevão –, and the central role of circulating and distributing the food offerings. 1 Young men with masks, dressed up in suits made of fringe wool quilts (for Carnival).

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New Special cover from Dehradun

 

A new special cover on Nanda Devi Rajjaat Yatra will be released on 20 August 20 13 at Dehradun.

 

Release of Special Cover & Special Cancellation

Venur : Hotel Madhuban, Rajpur Road, Dehradun

Date : 20 August 2013 at 5 PM

: Abhai Mishra – Dehradun

The Nanda Raj Jat offers an unparalleled and complete experience to the travelers with interest in local cultural and religious traditions of Uttarakhand as well as to those who are decent trekking enthusiasts. Its sanctity for locals is equal to Kumbh and it is one of the most lively and colourful festivals in the region.

Nanda devi - the daughter of Kings of mountains, and the consort of Lord Shiva - is the supreme spiritual goddess of the locals of Garhwal and Kumaon region. She visits her maternal dwelling in these Himalayan heights in the Bhadrapad (months of August - September) - and this festive break is celebrated by the natives.

The Nanda Raj Jat takes place once every twelve years - the journey starts from Nauti village accompanying a mythical four-horned sheep and Doli and all sorts of gifts for Nanda Devi, who is treated as a daughter revisiting her mother.

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