Permanent Pictorial Cancellations of Kerala

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Permanent Pictorial Cancellations : Kerala

Currently following Permanent Pictorial Cancellations known. (Page under development)

Thekkady S. O. - 685 536
Elephant
Date of Introduction: 11.10.1975

Thekkady (Idukki district) is the location of the Periyar National Park, which is an important tourist attraction in the Kerala. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across 777 sq. km, of which 360 sq. km is thick evergreen forest. The Wild Life Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park. The greatest attraction of Periyar are the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake. Sanctuary can be accessed through a nature walk, boating or jeep safari. Thekkady is considered a heaven for natural spices such as black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and clove. The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park. The greatest attraction of Periyar are the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake. The cancellation depicts sketch of wild elephant.

Pavaratty S. O. - 680 507
St. Joseph’s Church
Date of Introduction: ??

Pavaratty is situated in the coastal area of Chavakkad Taluk in Thrissur District. The town is about 23 km north-west of Thrissur town and 5 km south of Guruvayoor. It is the site of St. Joseph’s Church and also lies near Palayur (4 km), famous for the Palayur Church. This church was built in 1876. The Portuguese styled main altar and the non pillared 12500 sq feet portion around the altar are remarkable architectural feature of the shrine. The annual festival celebration on the third Sunday after Easter is famous. The cancellation depicts the Shrine of St. Joseph's Church.

Philatelic Bureau, Thrissur H.P.O. - 680 001
Decorated head of Elephant
Date of Introduction: ??

Thrissur, originally Thrisivaperoor and previously known by its anglicized form as Trichur was once the capital of the Kingdom of Cochin. It is located 300 kilometres towards north-west of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. Thrissur is also known as the Cultural Capital of Kerala because of its cultural, spiritual and religious leanings throughout history. The festival is held at the Thekkinkadu Maidan in April or May. Thrissur has a large number of well-known temples including the Vadakkumnathan temple, Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple and Paramekkavu temple, as well as two famous churches, the Our Lady of Lourdes Syro-Malabar Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral and the Our Lady of Dolours Syro-Malabar Catholic Basilica. The city hosts the Thrissur Pooram festival, the most colourful and spectacular temple festival in Kerala. 'Pooram' day is the day when the moon rises with the Pooram star. The main feature of the pooram festival are decorated elephants with their nettipattam (decorative golden headdress), beautifuliy crafted kolam, decorative bells and ornaments etc. The cancellation features head of decorated elephant.

Sabarimala P. O. - 689 713
(The Post Office functions only during the season)
Holy eighteen steps leading to the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Ayyappa temple.
Date of Introduction: 16.11.1974 / 25.12.1980

Sabarimala is a Hindu pilgrimage center located in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District. It is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world with an estimated 45–50 million devotees visiting every year. Sabarimala is believed to be the place where the Hindu God Ayyappan meditated after killing the powerful demoness, Mahishi. Ayyappan's temple is situated here amidst 18 hills. The temple is situated on a hilltop at an altitude of 468 m. above mean sea level, and is surrounded by mountains and dense forests. Temples exist in each of the hills surrounding Sabarimala. Sabarimala is linked to Hindu pilgrimage, predominantly for men of all ages. The temple is open for worship only during the days of Mandalapooja (approximately November 15 to December 26), Makaravilakku (January 14- "Makara Sankranti") and Vishu (April 14), and the first six days of each Malayalam month. The Holy eighteen steps that lead to the Ayyappa temple have been figuratively called Ponnu Pathinettampadi. Pathinettapadi (18 divine steps) to the sanctum sanctorium is divine in all aspects. The first three steps depict "Bhoomi, Agni, Vayoo & Akash", 6 to 9 steps for Karmendriya, 10 to 15 for Jhanandriya, 16th for mind 17th Intelligence and 18th Jeevathma Bhava. Those who cross all these steps are believed to achieve "Punyadarshan". The cancellation depicts holy eighteen steps leading to the Sanctum Sanctorum of the temple.
(Note: It appears that old cancellation has been replaced with new cancellation with new design)

Philatelic Bureau, Calicut H. O. - 673 001
Theyyam dance costume
Date of Introduction: ??

Calicut, now known as Kozikode is a city on the Malabar Coast. During classical antiquity and the Middle Ages, Calicut was dubbed the "City of Spices" for its role as the major trading point of eastern spices. It was the capital of an independent kingdom ruled by the Samoothiris (Zamorins) in Middle Ages and later of the erstwhile Malabar district under British rule. Muslim Arab merchants traded with the region as early as 7th century, and Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama landed at Calicut on 20 May 1498. Calicut has been a multi-ethnic and multi-religious town since the early medieval period. Many places have temples with local deities, more often a Goddess (Devi). Festivities like Theyyam, Thira and art forms like Ottamthullal, Kathakali are performed in stages attested to temple estates. Theyyam (Teyyam, Theyyattam or Thira) is a popular ritual form of worship of North Malabar. The performers of Theyyam belong to the lower class community, and have an important position in Theyyam. The term Theyyam is a corrupt form of Devam or God. The cancellation depicts Theyyam dance costume.

Pallikere P. O. - 671 316
Bekal Fort
Date of Introduction: ??

Pallikere is located in Kasaragod district. Pallikere has a shallow beach and provides a great view of the Bekal fort which is just a walking distance away. Large number of tourists visits this beach, enjoys its beauty and takes a pleasure bath in it. The beach is beautified by large number of coconut trees and bushes in the sides. The Bekal Fort is the biggest fort in Kerala spreading over 40 acres and presents a beautiful scenary to the visitors. Some important features of this fort are the water-tank with its flight of steps, the tunnel opening towards the south, the magazine for keeping ammunition and the broad steps leading to the Observation Tower, which is a rarity. From there one has an ample view of towns in the vicinity like Kanhangad, Pallikkara, Bekal, Kottikkulam, Uduma etc.The Fort appears to have been built up from the sea since almost three fourths of its exterior is drenched and the waves continually stroke the citadel. The cancellation depicts Bekal Fort.

Parambikulam S. O. - 678 661
Niligiri Thar
Date of Introduction: ??

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is a 285 square kilometres protected area in Chittur taluk in Palakkad district. Established in 1973, it is in the Sungam range of hills between the Anaimalai Hills and Nelliampathy Hills. The sanctuary is the home of 4 different tribes of indigenous peoples including the Kadar, Malasar, Muduvar and Mala Malasar settled in six colonies. Parambikkulam Wildlife Sanctuary was declared as part of the 391 square kilometres Parambiculam Tiger Reserve on February 19, 2010. The sanctuary has a rich diversity of animal life including: Mammals, Amphibians, Birds, Reptiles, Fish, Insects and Butterflies. Important mammals include: Lion-tailed Macaques, Nilgiri Tahr, elephants, Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, Wild boar, Sambar, Bonnet Macaques, Nilgiri Langurs, Sloth Bears, Nilgiri Marten Small Travancore Flying Squirrel and Gaur. The cancellation depicts Nilgiri Thar.

Mattancherry Jetty S. O. - 682 002
'Magen David' (Six Pointed Star)
Date of Introduction: ??

Mattancherry is the western part of city of Kochi. It is said that the name Mattancherry is drawn from "Ancherry Mattam", a Namboodiri illam which then the foreign traders pronounced it as Matt-Ancherry, gradually became Mattancherry. and it is also said that the 'street' ('cheri' in malayalam language) full of mutton butchers was known as mutton Cheri and gradually become mattancherry. It is about 9 km from Ernakulam town. Mattancherry is famous for Paradesi Synagogue. It is the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations. It is also referred to as the Cochin Jewish Synagogue or the Mattancherry Synagogue. It was constructed in 1568. The cancellation depicts 'Magen David' (Six pointed star) of the Mattancherry Synagogue. 'Magen David' is a generally recognized symbol of Jewish identity and Judaism.

Aranmula S. O. - 689 533
Vallam Kali (Boat race)
Date of Introduction: ??

Aranmula is a villagea at a distance of about 128 km from Trivandrum. It is situated on the banks of the river Pampa. Aranmula is the venue of the annual snake boat race on the Pampa river. It is also famous for its metal mirrors, known as Aranmula kannadi. The palace at aranmula (Aranmula kottaram) has a history of 200 years. Parthasarathi temple in Aranmula is a famous old major temple in Kerala. Here main idol is Krishna, who is the leader of Arjuna in Kurukshetra War. The traditional boat race in Kerala is known as Vallam Kali. It is a form of canoe racing, and uses paddled war canoes. It is mainly conducted during the season of the harvest festival Onam in autumn. Chundan Vallam (Beaked Boat) are used in this boat race. The cancellation depicts beaked boat used in Boat race.

Malayattur S. O. - 683 587
Statue of St. Thomas
Date of Introduction: ??

Malayattur or Malayattoor is a village in the North Eastern corner of Ernakulam District and located 52 kms from Kochi. The name `Malayattoor' is an amalgamation of three small words. Mala (Mountain) Arr (River) Oore (Place). This is to say, Malayattoor is a meeting place of mountain, river, and land. Malayattur is famous for the Malayattur Church situated atop the 609 m high Malayattur Hill. The church is dedicated to St. Thomas, who is believed to have prayed at this shrine. St. Thomas the Apostle was the one who took initiative to begin a Christian community in Kerala. He also set up the church here which has been designated by the Vatican as an International Shrine. This holy shrine attracts devotees in very large numbers not only from Kerala but also from the neighbouring states. The cancellation depicts the statue of St. Thomas.

Tirur H. O. - 676 101
Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan
Date of Introduction: ??

Tirur is one of the most important business centres of Malappuram district and is situated 26 km west of Malappuram and 41 km south of Kozhikode. Tirur is also a major trading centre of fish and betel leaf in the region. Tirur was in the kingdom of Vettattnad in medieval times. Tirur is a part of the first laid railroad by the British in Kerala. Tirur is the place where the 16th century poet Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan lived, who is considered to be the father of the Malayalam language literature. He was born in Trikkantiyur, in the town of Tirur. Ezhuthachan taught his pupils to respect and worship the Malayalam language and the Arya-ezhuttu alphabet. He refined the Malayalam language style and wrote his works for ordinary people, incorporating whatever was good with a strong sense of righteousness and worship. His contribution to the Malayalam language through the Adhyathmaramayanam (a translation of the Ramayana and Mahabharatham (a translation of the Mahabharata) is unparalleled, and his contribution on the cultural level is immense. The cancellation depicts portrait of Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan.

Kovalam S. O. - 695 527
Kovalam Beach
Date of Introduction: ??


Kovalam is a beach town by the Arabian Sea in Thiruvananthapuram, located around 16 km from the city center. Kovalam first received attention when the Regent Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi of Travancore constructed her beach resort, Halcyon Castle, here towards the end of the 1920s. Thereafter the place was brought to the public eye by her nephew the Maharaja of Travancore. The European guests of the then Travancore kingdom discovered the potentiality of Kovalam beach as a tourist destination in the 1930s. However, Kovalam shot into limelight in the early seventies with arrivals of the masses of hippies on their way to Ceylon in the Hippie Trail. Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and true to its name the village offers an endless sight of coconut trees. It is also known as the paradise of the south. The cancellation depicts beach of Kovalam.
Ponmudi B. O. - 695 551 Ponmudi Hills Date of Introduction: ??

Ponmudi (meaning the Golden Peak) is a hill station located 61 km. north-east of Thiruvananthapuram city at an altitude of 1100 m. It is a part of the Western Ghats mountain range that runs parallel to the Arabian Sea. Ponmudi is blessed with scenic splendor and natural beauty, Ponmudi is considered as one of the tourist attractions in gods own country. Ponmudi has a carpet of thick tropical forest that rolls down to the foot of the hill range. No doubt, the salubrious atmosphere and the twisted trails across clear streams must have contributed to her health. The cancellation depicts Ponmudi Hills.
Thiruvananthapuram ISRO S.O. - 695 022 Ponmudi Hills Date of Introduction: ??

The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) is a major space research centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), focusing on rocket and space vehicles for India's satellite programme, located in Thiruvananthapuram. The centre had its beginnings as the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in 1962. It was renamed in honour of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the father of the Indian space program. VSSC is an entirely indigenous facility working on the development of sounding rockets; Rohini and Menaka launchers; ASLV, PSLV GSLV and the GSLV Mk III. The cancellation depicts a rocket.
Varkala S.O. - 695 141 Shree Narayana Guru Samadhi Date of Introduction: ??

Varkala is a coastal town neare Thiruvananthapuram. It is located 50 km. north-west of Thiruvananthapuram and 37 km. south-west of Kollam city. Varkala is also famous for the 2,000 year old Janardana Swami Temple which is an important Vaishnavaite shrine in India and is often referred to as Dakshin Kashi (Benares of the South). To the east of the town is the Sivagiri Hill, where Shree Narayan guru established a social and spritual center. The hill-top mausoleum of Sree Narayana Guru is one of the most famous monuments in Kerala. The adjacent hills house the East-West University of Brahmavidya and Sree Narayana Gurukulam. Narayana Guru (1856–1928), was a Hindu saint and social reformer of India. The Guru was born into an Ezhava family, in an era when people from the Ezhava community and other communities that were regarded as "Avarna", faced much social injustices in the caste-ridden Kerala society. Gurudevan, as he was fondly known to his followers, led Reform movement in Kerala, revolted against casteism and worked on propagating new values of freedom in spirituality and of social equality, thereby transforming the Kerala society and as such he is adored as a prophet. The cancellation depicts Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi at Sivagiri, Varkala.

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