SPECIAL POSTAGE STAMPS ON TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE
The Department of
Posts (DoP) is releasing a set of four special postage stamps
on Temple Architecture on 15th September, 2003. These
stamps on Vishal Badri Temple – Badrinath, Malikarjunaswamy Temple
– Srisailam, Tripureswari Temple – Udaipur (Tripura) and Jagannath
Temple – Puri are in the denomination of Rs.5/- each.
Temple Architecture
in India evolved over the centuries with a conservative base overlaid
by decorative details which vary from region to region. These
variations reflected available construction material and skills
of the artisans of the area.
The Vishal Badri
Temple, dedicated to Lord Badrinath by Adi Sankaracharya, lies
in a picturesque Himalayan valley of Garhwal. The hot mineral
spring of Badrinath is renowned for its spiritual and medicinal
value.
The Malikarjunaswamy
Temple, Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh houses one of the twelve "Jyotirlingas"
of Siva and one of the eighteen deities of the "Mahashakti"
in a single complex. Located on the Nallamalai hills, near the
Krishna river, its history began with the early Satavahanas, early
rulers of Andhra.
The Tripureswari
Temple is reported to have been built in 1501 A.D. by Maharaja
Dhanya Manikya at Udaipur, Tripura. Dedicated to Mahashakti in
her form as "Tripurasundari", it reflects Tripura’s
patronage of the Stupa-Sirsa style of architecture.
The temple at
Puri, dedicated to Lord Jagannath, began in the 12th
century by Raja Chodaganga Dev and completed in the 13th
century by Raja Ananga Bhima Dev, stands in the heart of the city,
with an imposing spire. It carries the richness of the Kalinga
style of architecture and the Lord’s "Yatra" is an imposing
festival.
The First Day
Cover along with the information sheet will be available on sale
at all Philatelic Bureaux/Counters and at selected Post Offices.
