India Post releases special envelope on Vahanam

Tirumala: Enhancing the glory of Lord Venkateswara, Tirumala, India Posts brought out special covers commemorating Navarathri Brahmotsavams, covering all the Vahanams.

The issuing of series of special covers which commenced with Pedda Sesha Vahanam on the first day of Brahmotsavams on October 14, will end with the release of special cover on Chakrasnanam, to be held on the last day of the nine-day Brahmotsavams on October 18. 

TTD Executive Officer (EO) Anil Kumar Singhal released the first in series-special cover for the Pedda Sesha Vahanam to commemorate the celestial vehicle of Pedda Sesha Vahanam on which the processional deity of Lord Sri Malayappa was taken in a procession, on the first day of Navaratri Brahmotsavams.

This was followed by the special cover release of the Vahanams carrying the deity daily in a procession as part of the Brahmotsavams, held in the following days of the festival going on in Tirumala. All the holy Vahanas of Lord Balaji this Navaratri Brahmotsavams will be covered under the special cover issuance by the Department of Posts, said Superintendent of Post Offices, Tirupati G Srinivasa Murthy. 

The special covers are made available for sale in the entire philatelic bureaus across the country, after it was released in Tirumala just before the start of the Vahanam every day.

The Postal Department printed 2,000 special covers and they will be available still stocks are over in the philatelic bureau for the public and also for the philatelists keen on increasing their collection of stamps, he said adding that it was the first time special covers covering all the Vahanams (events) of Brahmotasavam celebrations are being released.

The special cover with the colour picture of the Vahanam, comprised Shanku and Chakra and Thirunamam in the middle, with date and place stamped also carried in the back side a brief description of the Vahanam and its importance in Hindi and English language, Murthy said.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, TTD EO Anil Kumar Singhal released the special cover on Surya Prabha Vahanam in the morning and in the evening Chandra Prabha Vahanam. Tirumala Post Master Lakshman, TTD officials and others were present.