New Special Cover and Cancellation

 

13 February 2026 : Magh Mela : Prayagraj

Release of Special Cover and Cancellation on Magh Mela 2026, Prayagraj A special cover with a cancellation (postmark) was released from Prayagraj HO on Magh Mela 2026, Prayagraj on 13.2.2026 to commemorate the ongoing Magh Mela at Prayagraj. The cover was proposed by Prayag Philatelic Society.

It was released by Smt. Preeti Agrawal DPS Prayagraj Region along with Shri. J. N. Pandey, Assistant Director(Philately), Shri. Ashok Kumar Tripathi Sr.Postmaster, Prayagraj HPO and Shri Pramod Kumar Bansal, President, Prayag Philatelic Society. In her speech, Smt. Agarwal appreciated the efforts of the society to get a special cover released with a meaningful design of the cover and its postmark. She was happy to have contributed this creative and beautifully designed cover and postmark for philatelic community.  

Prayagraj is known for hosting the annual mega event called as Magh Mela where millions of pilgrims visit the city to take a holy dip and spend time in kalpvas. Millions of pilgrims come to the city to take a holy dip in the sangam and stay in tents for kalpvas with the objective to purify their souls. Poush Purnima marks the beginning of the event and it ends on Mahashivratri. During this period many rituals take place and these pilgrims participate in them which form a part of their spiritual life. Kalpvas being one of them. It is only during the Magh Mela that pilgrims stay in Kalpvas. Many aspects of these rituals are visualized in the cover. The postmark depicts a sadhu praying and a Sanskrit shloka. 

The programme was conducted by Shri Pradeep Pathak, Incharge Philatelic Bureau Prayagraj HO. Various staff members from the Post Office, parents, philatelists and visitors were present at the event.The event concluded with a vote of thanks by the Secretary of the philatelic society.

During the Magh Mela in this year, the Department of Posts, through the Prayagraj Region has issued a special postmark, called cancellation and a set of 4 picture postcards on Magh Mela.

The special cover and the set of 4 picture postcards are available for purchase at the Philatelic Bureau, Prayagraj Head Post Office and through our website www.prayagphilatelicsociety.org

-Rahul Ganguli

Secretary,Prayag Philatelic Society

13 February 2026 : World Radio Day : Bangalore

Karnataka Postal Circle released a special cancellation on World Radio Day with radio tower motif, highlighting radio's impact. It is available at Bengaluru General Post Office .

My Recent Cover

 

Magh Mela 2026 - Basant Panchami : 23 January 2026 : Prayagraj

Basanta Panchami and Saraswati Puja in honour of the Hindu goddess Saraswati, is a festival that marks the preparation for the arrival of spring. The festival is celebrated in Indian religions in different ways depending on the region. Vasant Panchami also marks the start of preparation for Holi, which take place forty days later. The Vasant Utsava (festival) on Panchami is celebrated forty days before spring, because any season's transition period is 40 days, and after that, the season comes into full bloom.

Magh Mela is one of the most sacred annual religious gatherings in India, held on the holy banks of the Sangam in Prayagraj, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers meet. Rooted deeply in Hindu tradition, Magh Mela draws millions of devotees, saints, and pilgrims who gather to take ritual dips and perform spiritual practices during the auspicious month of Magh.

Thanks to Mr Rahul Ganguli, Prayagraj Philatelic Society for this special cover and desk calendar of the society.

Happy Republic Day

 

Greetings on 77th Republic Day

“Freedom, unity, and equality are the pillars of our Republic.”

26 January, celebrated as India’s Republic Day, marks the historic day when the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950. This proud occasion symbolises democracy, freedom, equality, and the unity of the nation. Republic Day is observed with grand parades, flag hoisting ceremonies, cultural programmes, and heartfelt tributes to the leaders and freedom fighters who shaped modern India.

Happy Republic Day !!

 to all Indians living in different corners of the world !

Happy Independence Day

 

Greetings on 79th Independence Day of India

India celebrates its 79th Independence Day on Friday, August 15, honouring those who fought for our freedom. On this day in 1947, we gained independence after around 200 years of colonial British rule.

New Rakhi Envelopes

 

Rakhi Envelopes 2025

India Post issued new Rakhi Enveloes for Rakshabandhan 2025. The cost of   enelope is Rs 10 each. 

Image courtesy: Timir Shah-Vadodara

Raksha Bandhan is a popular  Hindu festival . It is also celebrated in other parts of the world significantly influenced by Hindu culture. On this day, sisters of all ages tie a talisman or amulet called the rakhi around the wrists of their brothers. The sisters symbolically protect the brothers, receive a gift in return, and traditionally invest the brothers with a share of the responsibility of their potential care.Raksha Bandhan is observed on the last day of the Hindu lunar calendar month of Shravana, which typically falls in August. The festival of Rakshabandhan will be celebrated this year on 9th August.

Rath Yatra , Puri

 

27 June 2025 : Rath Yatra Puri

Image courtesy : Kalinga TV

Ratha Jatra, the Festival of Chariots of Lord Jagannatha is celebrated every year at Puri,  Odisha. The presiding deities of the main temple, Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, with the celestial wheel Sudarshana are taken out from the temple precincts in an elaborate ritual procession to  their respective chariots. The huge, colourfully decorated chariots, are drawn by hundreds and thousands of devotees on the bada danda, the grand avenue to the Gundicha temple,  After a stay for seven days, the deities return to their abode in Srimandira.

The Ratha Yatra of Puri,  is considered the oldest and largest Hindu chariot festival celebrated annually, on the bright half of the lunar month of Ashadh. India Post issued a commemorative stamp and a Miniature sheet to commemorate Puri Rath Yatra on 12 July 2010.

Greetings on Holi

 

Holi - Festival of Colors

Happy Holi

URUGUAY 2025 : Special Covers and Cancellations

 

Special Covers : URUGUAY 2025

2 Special Covers were released during URUGUAY 2025 by India Post on Holi Festival and Beautiful India.

Special Cancellations : URUGUAY 2025

3 Special Cancellations were issued by India Post during URUGUAy 2025 on following themes 

1.Mahatma Gandhi

2. Yoga 

3. Taj Mahal

4.Sports

- Pravesh Kumar Gupta

National Commissioner, India for URUGUAY 2025

Greetings on Deepawali

  

Deepotsav - Ayodhya

Release of Special Cover and Cancellation on Deepotsav-Ayodhya   

The city of Ayodhya comes alive during the Divya Deepotsav when thousands of lamps lit on the banks of Saryu illuminate the entire environment with their radiance. The tableau of the characters of Lord Rama, Mata Sita and Laxman in the world famous Ramleela staged on this occasion fills the hearts of common people with reverence. The banks of the Saryu river, illuminated with thousands of lamps of faith and belief, once again become witnesses to the historic and cultural celebration of the return of their idol to Ayodhya. 

A special cover and cancellation was released on the auspicious occasion of Divya Deepotsav-Ayodhya on 30.10.2024 at Ayodhya Head Post Office. The cover was released by the chief guest Col Vinod Kumar, Postmaster General, Varanasi Region alongwith Shri. H. S. Yadav, Supdt. of Post Offices, Ayodhya Division and Shri. Pramod Kumar Bansal, President of Prayag Philatelic Society. Shri. Satyendra Pratap Singh, Chief Marketing Officer, Shri. Ashok Mital member of the society and Rahul Ganguli, Secretary of the society were also present with the dignitaries. 

The cover and cancellation was proposed by Prayag Philatelic Society which was considered  by the Department of Posts. The cover and cancellation was designed by a member of the society, Shri. Sumanto Kumar.  

- Rahul Ganguli : Prayag Philatelic Society : Prayagraj

Greetings on Raksha Bandhan

 

Happy Raksha Bandhan

Special Water Proof Rakhi Envelopes issued by different postal circles  of India Post

Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival, It is celebrated with great joy every year. It falls on the Poornima Tithi (full moon day) of Shravan Maas (Sawan month). It honours the everlasting and special bonds shared between siblings.

It is also celebrated in other parts of the world significantly influenced by Hindu culture. On this day, sisters  tie a thread/amulet called the rakhi around the wrists of their brothers. They symbolically protect them, receive a gift in return, and traditionally invest the brothers with a share of the responsibility of their potential care. This year Rakksha Bandhan will be celebrated on 19th August 2024.

New Special Covers on Ram Navmi

Ram Navmi : 16 April 2024 : Prayagraj

Source : PPS, SIPA

Happy Ram Navmi : 17 April 2024 : BALIPHILEX 2024 :  Denpasar, Bali

Source : EIPA

 

Festivals of India - Dussehra

 

Happy Dussehra

Special Cancellation on Dussehra issued by Karnataka Postal Circle

Festivals of India

Festivals of India - Raksha Bandhan

 

Greetings on Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is one of the most popular festivals of the Hindu community and is observed as the day to honour the relationship between a brother and sister.  ‘Raksha Bandhan‘ means ‘the bond of protection, obligation or care’. It holds immense importance as it symbolizes the deep-rooted affection, love, and protection that siblings have for each other. This festival not only strengthens the bond between siblings but also fosters a sense of unity, love, and respect within the family. It serves as a reminder of the values of loyalty, trust, and support that are essential in any relationship.

According to the Hindu calendar, Raksha Bandhan falls on the last day of the lunar calendar month of Shravan. this year it is being celebrated today all over India and in  other parts of the world by Hindu Community.