German stamp honoring His Holiness the Dalai Lama

 

 

A postal stamp dedicated to the Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama turning 80 next week was unveiled in Germany to commemorate the 80th birthday landmark of the exiled Buddhist leader.

The stamp is designed by non-governmental organization ICT (International Campaign for Tibet) and produced by the German postal services. However, the spokesperson of the German postal services has announced that the stamp is a custom printing ordered by ICT and that although it can be used legally for postal services, it is “not an official stamp of the Federal Republic of Germany”. The stamp is valued at 62 cents.

ICT-Germany on July 3, tweeted that the first stamp of the limited edition stamps was pasted on an envelope addressed to the Chinese Ambassador in Berlin.

Executive Director Kai Müller said, “This postage stamp is a rare recognition of the popularity of the Dalai Lama in Germany; it is sure to become a collector’s item. It is our way of honoring the world’s most famous Buddhist, the exiled religious leader of Tibet”.

Shangri - La stamps…

 

Date of Issue – 13 September 2010.

On September 13, 2010 China Post issued a set of four special "Shangri-La" stamps

The set contains "Xia Wei Temple", "Green water and blue sky", "Pinghu Emerald" and "Snowy town" stamps.

Shangri-La is a fictional place described in the 1933 novel Lost Horizon by British author James Hilton. In the book, "Shangri-La" is a mystical, harmonious valley, gently guided from a lamasery, enclosed in the western end of the Kunlun Mountains. Shangri-La has become synonymous with any earthly paradise but particularly a mythical Himalayan utopia - a permanently happy land, isolated from the outside world.

In the novel Lost Horizon, the people who live at Shangri-La are almost immortal, living years beyond the normal lifespan and only very slowly aging in appearance. The word also evokes the imagery of exoticism of the Orient.

In the ancient Tibetan scriptures, existence of seven such places is mentioned as Nghe-Beyul Khimpalung. One of such places is mentioned to be situated somewhere in the Makalu-Barun region.Shangri-la is often used in a similar context to which "Garden of Eden" might be used, to represent a paradise hidden from modern man.

A Tibetan girl  shows the "Shangri-La" special stamp issued on Sept. 13, 2010.

The launching ceremony of the "Shangri-La" special stamps was held in the ancient Shangri-La County, Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province to celebrate the 6th Kangba Art and National Unity Festival, Sept. 13, 2010.

http://eng.tibet.cn/news/today/201009/t20100915_628311.htm

My visit to Dharamshala..

Hi ! I recently visited Dharamshala, the most beautiful city of Himachal Pradesh. It’s about 5 hrs drive from Kullu. I had the chance to visit Macleod Ganj, the home of Dalai Lamma with my friend Lina & his son Kushagra.Dharamshala, known as the little Lhasa of India & situated in Himachal Pradesh, pulsates the sights & sounds of Tibet. It's actually like mini Tibet in India. Dharamsala is known as the focus of the worldwide exiled Tibetan community, residence of his holiness the Dalai Lama and seat of the Tibetan Government in exile. Various monasteries and institutions have been established to preserve and continue all aspects of Tibetan culture. I visited the grand Buddh temple and the museum at Macleod Ganj and was thrilled to see there some philatelic & Numismatic items there. I captured them in my camera that I am sharing here with all of you. Here are some pics of stamps & Coins preserved at Macleod Ganj Museum with some pics of the Budha temple. This is all for today Till Next Post …..Have a Nice Time !….

Shikhar & Kushargra at Bhagsunag Temple near Macleod Ganj

Dhramshala

Dharamshala recognised as headquarters of Kangra District in 1855. Dharamsala is one of the main towns of Kangra valley. It is located in the backdrop of snow clad peaks of Dhauladhar mountains about 18kms. north east of Kangra town. The mountains enfold three sides of the town and the valley stretches beyond to the south. Known for its scenic-beauty amidst high pine trees, tea gardens and other timber-yielding trees vying with one another for height, calmness and serenity. Dharamsala's altitude varies between 1,250 metres (4,400 ft) and 2,000 metres (6,560ft).

View of Macleod Ganj from the famous Buddha Temple

With Kusahrgra & my son Shikhar at Buddha Temple Macleod Ganj

Macleod Ganj
Mcleod Ganj was established in the mid-1850s as a British garrison, it was the home of the semi nomadic Gaddi tribe. Today Mcleod Ganj is best known as the headquarters of the Tibetan government in exile, and is the home of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. It is located at a height of 1770m. A number of residential buildings, restaurants, antique and curio shops, together with famous Tibetan institutions have lent importance to McLeod Ganj.

The Great Budha Temple at Macleod Ganj

Kushagra at the main temple Premises

Inside the temple

Puja

Inside the temple – The glowing Lamps

Shikhar & Kushagra

View of Macleod Ganj from The Temple

With friend Lina

When we were returning to Kullu, it was raining and Dhauladhar range was covered with snow.