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A pamphlet published by Bharatiya Dak Tar Vibhag regarding introduction of pictorial cancellations at Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Daulatabad Fort, Pandharpur and Bombay (Mumbai) from 26th January 1977. |
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Ellora Caves B. O. - 431 102
Ellora Caves
Date of Introduction: 08.01.1965 / 26.01.1977 |
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Ellora also known as Ellooru, is an archaeological site, 29 km North-West of the city of Aurangabad built by the Rashtrakuta dynasty. Well known for its monumental caves, Ellora is a World Heritage Site. Ellora represents the epitome of Indian rock-cut architecture. The 34 "caves" - actually structures excavated out of the vertical face of the Charanandri hills. Buddhist, Hindu and Jain rock-cut temples and viharas and mathas were built between the 5th century and 10th century. The 12 Buddhist (caves 1–12), 17 Hindu (caves 13–29) and 5 Jain (caves 30–34) caves, built in proximity, demonstrate the religious harmony prevalent during this period of Indian history. It is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India. Several inscriptions at Ellora range from 6th century to 15th century. The best known of them is an inscription of Rashtrakuta Dantidurga (c. 753-57 A.D.) on the back wall of the front mandapa of Cave 15, which gives an account of his conquests. Inscriptions on the Kailash temple itself range from 9th to 15th century. The cancellation introduced in 1965 depicts carved elephants at Kailash temple while another cancellation introduced in 1977 depicts Stone carved pillar at Kailash temple. It appears that cancellation design has been changed third time which depicts same stone carved pillar at Kailash temple. |
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Ajanta Caves B. O. - 431 138
Ajanta Caves
Date of Introduction: 08.06.1965 / 26.01.1977 |
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The Ajanta Caves are just outside the village of Ajintha about 59 kilometres from Jalgaon railway station in Aurangabad district are about 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 or 650 CE. The caves include paintings and sculptures described by the government Archaeological Survey of India as "the finest surviving examples of Indian art, particularly painting", which are masterpieces of Buddhist religious art, with figures of the Buddha and depictions of the Jataka tales. The earliest group of caves consists of caves 9, 10, 12, 13 and 15A. According to Walter Spink, they were made during the period 100 BCE to 100 CE, probably under the patronage of the Satavahana dynasty (230 BCE – c. 220 CE) who ruled the region. Other datings prefer the period 300 BCE to 100 BCE, though the grouping of the earlier caves is generally agreed. Caves of the second period are 1–8, 11, 14–29, some possibly extensions of earlier caves. Caves 19, 26, and 29 are chaitya-grihas, the rest viharas. In cave 10, in one scene are shown Elephantas in the jungle, with a six-tusked elephant, which is supposed to be a previous incarnation of the Buddha. The animals are beautifully drawn and the large space of the forests, with its thick foliage and trees, is contrasted to the houses on the side.
Earlier cancellations of 1965 and 1977 depicts the entrance to cave 19. It appears that cancellation design has been changed third time which depicts six tusked elephant in jungle which is supposed to be a previous incarnation of the Buddha. This is found in Cave no 10.
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Amaravati H. O. - 444 601
(Currently not available)
Temple of Goddess Amba.
Date of Introduction: 28.02.1976 |
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Amravati is the seventh most populous metropolitan area in Maharashtra. It is also the administrative headquarters of the Amravati district. Among the historical landmarks in the city are the temples of Amba, Shri Krishna and Shri Venkateshwara. The town is located near the passes through the hills that separate the cotton-growing regions of the Purna basin to the West and the Wardha basin to the East.
Ambadevi Temple is situated at the heart of the city of Amaravati. The presiding deity is Amba Devi (Goddess of Shakti). There's a legend that when Lord Krishna ran away with Goddess Rukhamini from her wedding ceremony, he used a tunnel laying from Ambadevi temple to Koundinyapur (another spiritual place near Amravati). This tunnel is still in existence but is now closed. Many research teams over the years have tried to estimate the length of the tunnel but their efforts have been in vain. The cancellation depicts Temple of Goddess Amba.
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Philatelic Bureau, Bombay (Mumbai) - 400 001
(Currently not available at Philatelic Bureau)
Elephanta Caves
Date of Introduction: 26.01.1977 |
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Mumbai is the most populous city in India. Mumbai is built on what was once an archipelago of seven islands: Bombay Island, Parel, Mazagaon, Mahim, Colaba, Worli, and Old Woman's Island (also known as Little Colaba). Some of the oldest edifices in the city built are, Jogeshwari Caves, Elephanta Caves, Walkeshwar Temple, and Banganga Tank. The Elephanta Caves are a network of sculpted caves located on Elephanta Island or Gharapuri (literally "the city of caves") in Mumbai Harbour, 10 kilometres to the east of the city of Mumbai. The island was a Hindu place of worship until Portuguese rule began in 1534. This cave was renovated in the 1970s and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Described as a "masterpiece of Gupta-Chalukyan art", the most important sculpture in the caves is the Trimurti, carved in relief at the back of the cave facing the entrance, on the north-south axis. It is also known as Trimurti Sadashiva and Maheshmurti. It is 20 feet in height. The cancellation depicts a three-headed Shiva, representing Panchamukha Shiva (Trimurti) |
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Pandharpur H. O. - 413 304
(Currently not available)
Vithoba Temple
Date of Introduction: 26.01.1977 |
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Pandharpur is an important pilgrimage city on the banks of Bhima river in Solapur district. The Vithoba temple attracts about half a million Hindu pilgrims during the major yatra (pilgrimage) in the month of Ashadh (June–July). Pandharpur, also known as Pandhari, hosts the renowned Vitthal temple on the banks of Bhimā. "Vithoba", "Pandurang", and "Pandharināth" are the popular alternate names of the deity, Viththal, who is regarded in Hinduism as a form of Lord Krishna, who, in turn, is considered as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Rakhumāi or Rukmini is Viththal's consort in the temple. The Pandharpur temple covers a large area, and has six gates. The eastern gate is known as the "Namdev Gate". The cancellation depicts Vithobha temple. |
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Daulatabad B. O. - 431 002
(Currently not available)
Chand Minar
Date of Introduction: 26.01.1977 |
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Daulatabad is a 14th century fort city in Maharashtra, about 16 kilometers northwest of Aurangabad. The place, was once as known as Deogiri. Starting 1327, it famously remained the capital of Tughlaq dynasty, under Muhammad bin Tughluq (r. 1325-1351), who also changed its name, and forcibily moved the entire population of Delhi here, for two years, before it was abandoned due to lack of water. Daulatabad contains several notable monuments, of which the chief are the Chand Minar and the Chini Mahal. The Chand Minar is a tower 210 ft. high and 70 ft in circumference at the base, and was originally covered with beautiful Persian glazed tiles. It was erected in 1445 by Ala-ud-din Bahmani to commemorate his capture of the fort. The cancellation depicts Chand Minar. |
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Philatelic Bureau Pune H. O. - 411 001
General Post Office Building
Date of Introduction: ??? |
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Pune is the ninth largest metropolis in India. Once the center of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula and Mutha rivers. Pune is known to have existed as a town since 847 AD. Pune was originally called Punawadi.
The city’s General Post Office (GPO) building is a heritage Building. According to the Gazetteer’, Pune’s Head Post Office was designed by Colonel Finch, an army engineer, and built on a two-acre sprawl in the heart of the city in 1873-74 at a cost of Rs 19,710. However, some other records suggest it was built in 1864. The designer is said to have drawn inspiration from the 16th century Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. The building is clearly distinguished by its howdah-shaped entrance porch and an octagonal tower surmounting the main hall and capped by a dome. The cancellation depicts General Post Office building.
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Shaniwar Peth P. O. - 411 030
Shaniwar Wada
Date of Introduction: ??? |
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Shaniwar Peth is a locality in Pune. It was established by Moropant Pingale in 1675.When under the Muslim rule this place was known as Murujabad/Murtuzabad. Shaniwar means Saturday in English.There are many schools in Shaniwar peth. The historic Shaniwar Wada is situated in Shaniwar Peth area. Peshwa Baji Rao I, prime minister to Chattrapati Shahu, king of the Maratha empire, laid the ceremonial foundation of his own residence on Saturday, January 10, 1730. It was named Shaniwarwada from the Marathi words Shaniwar (Saturday) and Wada (a general term for any residence complex). Teak was imported from the jungles of Junnar, stone was brought from the nearby quarries of Chinchwad, and Lime (mineral) was brought from the lime-belts of Jejuri. Shaniwarwada was completed in 1732. The cancellation depicts Shaniwar Wada. |
Special thanks to Shri Ashok Kumar Bayanwala (Ahmedabad) and Shri Nagendra Nayak (Udyavar) for their help in compiling this listing. |
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