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Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Brahmos


Brahmos missiles - Stamps

BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land. It is a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's Nauchno Proizvodstvennoe Obiedinenie Mashinostroeyenia (NOPM) who have together formed the “BrahMos Aerospace”.




Brahmos missile - Stamps
 The name  BrahMos represents two well known rivers of the two nations - the Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia.
 



 Brahmos  missiles Miniature Sheet
It can travel with three times the speed of sound and is the world's fastest cruise missile. It is about three-and-a-half times faster than the U.S.A's subsonic Harpoon cruise missile.




Brahmos missiles - FDC
India Post issued two commemorative postage stamps on 22.12.2008, with the denominations of Rs.20 and Rs.5. Also issued a beautiful miniature sheet cost Rs. 25 and a first day cover.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Sri Lanka Miniature Sheet

SEA SHELLS
 
A miniature sheet from Sri Lanka illustrating seashells

Heritage Monuments

HERTIAGE MONUMENTS PRESERVATION BY INTACH

HERTIAGE MONUMENTS - STAMPS
1. Jaisalmer Fort,Jaisalmer       2. Mangyu Monastery, Laddakh    
3. Saint Annie's Church,Goa    4. Qila Mubarak, Patiala
 1. Jaisalmer Fort:
Jasialmer fort is one of the largest desert fort in the world. It is situated in Jaisalmer city of Rajastan state in India. It was built in 1156AD by Raja Rawal Jaisal, the ruler of Bhati Rajput. The fort is on the Trikuta hill of the Thar desert. The main attractions inside the fort are:

1. Raj Mahal (Rayal Palace)

2. Jain Temple

3. Laxminath Temple and

4. 4 massive gateways.

This fort is also known as Sonar Quila or the Golden fort of Rajasthan.

    2. Mangyu Monastery:
    Mangyu is a small village near to Ladakh. It has Buddhist monasteries. It is a place for Buddhist to worship, meditate and for religious teaching. It is believed that these monasteries were built more that 1000 years by Lhotsava Rhin-Chen-bZanf-PO (956-1042AD). The monasteries are simple in exterior look, but very rich in interior. All rooms are very grand with paintings and Stucco images. The art works of these monasteries have not only the influences of Western Tibetan but also the style of Kashmiri.
    These monasteries are located at isolated areas without any busy and rush of routine life. So this peace of atmosphere makes it a major attraction centre for tourism.

     HERTIAGE MONUMENTS - MINIATURE SHEET

    3. Saint Annie’s Church,  Goa:
    The origin of the church date back to 1577 in the form of a chapel constructed by Jesuit priests attached to St. Paul’s College of old Goa. It was reconstructed as church in 1681 under Msgr. Francisco de Rego and completed in 1695 by Fr. Antonio Francisco Da Cunha. The church is situated on the river bank of Siridao and is a blend of Indian and European architectural style. The feast of St. Anne is on 26th July of every year.

    4. Qila Mubarak:
    Qila Mubarak is a historical National Monument of India, in the heart of the Patiala city of Punjab State. It was founded by Baba Ala Singh in the middle of 18th century as a military stronghold. Originally it was a mud fort. Later it was reconstructed in to the present form, spread around 10 acre, with a massive gate having beautiful arches.
    The fort has two painted chambers, that illustrated the history of Hindu mythology and Sikh Guru’s portraits.  The two portions are called Qila Androon (inner fort) and Qila Mubarak (outer fort). Androon is a single inter connected building.

     
    HERTIAGE MONUMENTS - FIRST DAY COVER

    These  heritage structures are now under the preservation of The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage ( INTACH). 
    India Post issued four commemorative stamps of Rs 5.00 each on 28.01.2009 to respect these heretage structure. Also issued miniature sheet costing Rs.20 and a first day cover.
     

    China Issue

    HUANG  LONG  SCENIC AREA
    (special issue)
    Issued on: 27th August 2009
     
             1. Guest Welcome Ponds      
             2. Glittery Flying Waterfall       
             3. Muni Gully (Erdao Lake) 
        4. Souvenir Sheet : Five-Color Ponds         

    Wednesday, September 9, 2009

    Jayadeva & Geetagovinda

     
    JAYADEVA & GEETAGOVINDA STAMPS
    Geetagovinda is a unique work in Indian literature by the saint poet Jayadeva. It was composed in Sanskrit in 12th century AD. It is translated not only in most Indian languages but also in several of foreign languages. Its melodious lyrics and tune are being a part of all classical dances in India. It has been sung, danced and enacted at Puri Jagannath Temple and in several other temples throughout in India.
    JAYADEVA & GEETAGOVINDA MS

    Jayadeva, the author was a great singer and a poet. His father was a reputed scholar in Sanskrit and by his guidance Jayadeva acquired a vast learning in Sanskrit literature and theology in very short time. His devotional song includes ‘Dasavatar’, which inspired choreographers. His wife Padmavati performed a dance based on Dasavatar in the Puri Jagannath Temple. 
    JAYADEVA & GEETAGOVINDA FIRST DAY COVER
    India Post issued 11 commemorative stamps which describes Jayadeva’s composition on Dasavatar on 27.07.2009, having the denomination of Rs.5.00 each, miniature sheet of Rs.55 and also a first day cover.

    Tuesday, September 8, 2009

    Rampur Raza Library

    RAMPUR RAZA LIBRARY


    “I have consulted this library several times. There is no better collection in India than this. I have also seen the library of Egypt, Syria, Turkey and Europe and I can say that this library is richer than any one of them”
    These are the words of Well-known historian, Islamic scholar, Urdu and Persian literary critic Maulana Shibli  Naumani (also known as Allama Shibli Naumani) when he visit the Rampur Raza Library on 6th April 1914. It contains very rare and valuable collection of manuscripts, historical documents, specimens of Islamic calligraphy, miniature paintings, astronomical instruments and rare illustrated works in Arabic and Persian languages besides 80,000 printed books. 
    This library was established by the Rampur ruler Nawab Faizullah Khan(1774-1794) for his personal collection during the last decades of 18th century. All the succeeding Nawabs were made notable developments and additions for the library. Before the merger of Rampur State in the Union of India, it was under the patronage of Nawab Raza Ali Khan (1930-1966). It was established as an Institution of national importance by the Government of India on 1st July 1975 by Government of India through an Act of Parliament.
    If we go through Arabic collection in the library we can see Holy Quran calligraphed by Yaqut-ul- Musta Simi, the master calligraphists of Bagdad on 13 century AD. Another valuable Arabic manuscript is ‘Diwan-al-Hadira’ dated 1221 by the same calligraphists which was once in the royal library of Ibrahim Adil Shah of Bijapore. The manuscript ‘Sharhul Kafia of Razi’ is a great asset of the library which contains marginal notes of Sadullah Khan, the prime minister of Shahjehan, notes by Shahjehan in his own handwriting and also bears the seal and signature of Sadullah Khan, Inayat Khan, Itimad Khan, Muhammad Salih Khan, Aurangzib Alamgir etc. We can also see Holy Quran written in 7th  8th 9th century AD.
    The Persian collection includes rare books on medicine, philosophy and miniature paintings. The notable titles of Persian manuscripts in the library  are:  (1) ' Zakhirai Khawarizm Shahi' on medicine by Zainuddin Ibrahim Gurgani of 11 century AD. (2) ‘Diwan-i-Hafiz’, a rare and valuable illustrated manuscript which was scribed in Akbar's eventful reign around 1575-80 A.D. and was illustrated by the celebrated court painters. They are attracted the attention of Sufis and scholars, the worldwide. There are some paintings bearing the signature of Jahan Ara Begum. Another unique collection in persian is the illustrated translation of  Ramayan of Valmiki by Sumer Chand and illustrated during the reign of Farrukh Siyar ,a  late mughal, dated 1715AD.
    The collection of urdu manuscript possesses the Dewan of Shah Hatim, Kulliyat-i-Mir, Jurat, Hasan, Dewan-i-Soz, and very important manuscript of Dewan-i-Ghalib which contains the correction and modification in the handwriting of Ghalib himself. There are two rare copies of Insha's Rani Ketki Ki Khani, the first short story in Urdu. 
     
    Miniature Sheet of Rampur Raza Library
    Sanskrit and Hindi Manuscripts manuscripts includes  Probodh Chandrika, a work on hindi grammer by Baijnath Dev Chauhan Vanshi and scribed by Girdhari lal Mishra. , incomplete commentary on Jyotish Ratanmala by Shri Shripati Bhatta. Another striking aspect of the collection of Raza Library is the holding of hundreds of Hindi Manuscripts written in Persian script.
    The library has collection in Turkish language, which include 50 rare books and manuscripts. The Holy Quran is there in the library in Pushto and the work of the great Pushto writer Khushal Khan Khatak are there. It also has a unique collection of art works and rare astronomical instruments. We can also see the manuscripts belonging to the libraries of Haib, Mecca, Medina, Egypt, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan.
    So this library is rich with classical traditions. India Post issued 4 commemorative stamps based on Rampur Raza Library on 19th June 2009, with a denomination of Rs.5.00 each ,Miniature sheet of Rs.20 and a first day cover.
     
    First Day Cover with special post mark

    Some old Indian FDCs

    SOME OLD INDIAN FIRST DAY COVERS
      

     

     
     

    Monday, September 7, 2009

    Secred Heart Church

    SACRED HEART CHURCH
    PUDUCHERRY

    Blessing and first holy mass of this church was held on 17th December 1907 and established it as a parish in 1908. It was the dream of French missionaries to establish Sacred Heart’s devotion in India. This dream was be a shape when Rt. Rev. Gandy, Archbishop of Puducherry and Rev. Fr. Teresfore Walter, the parish priest of Nellithope , jointed hands to establish a new church. Fr. Walter prepares the building plan and Fr. Fourcaud commenced the construction in 1902.
    Sacred church is 50 meters length, 48 meters width and 18 meters height, which was structured with 24 main columns. On the entrance we can see biblical words and the carvings of sacred heart of Jesus and Mother Mary. Inside, the church is decorated with Indo-European architecture work. We can see 28 glass paintings of saints, who devote their life for the sacred heart of Lord Jesus. The statue of Madonna (covered with blue sari ) placed at the right site of the high alter and stained glass panels which reveals the whole life of the Jesus Christ are another attractive feature of this church.
    Now this church goes through 100 years .To Honour this historical moment India Post issued on 19.06.2009 a commemorative stamp having the denomination of Rs. 5.00 and also a first day cover.
    First Day Cover with special cancellation