New Special Covers on World Heritage Day...

On the occasion of the World Heritage day on 18th April 2017 , three Special covers were released at Bangalore GPO. Sri Arun Raj, Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India released the covers on 18.04.2017 at Bengaluru GPO. Dr. Charles Lobo, Chief Postmaster General, Karnataka Circle and Sri S. Rajendra Kumar, Postmaster General, South Karnataka Region were also present.

 Keerthinaravana Temple of Talakad Talakadu

1. KTK/46/2017: Keerthinaravana Temple of Talakad Talakadu is a desert like town on the left bank of the Kaveri River in Mysuru District. It once had over 30 temples, most of which now lay buried in sand. It is one of the Pancha Narayana Kshetras where the Keerthi Narayana temple was established in 1117 AD.

Halebeedu Hovsaleshwara Temple

2. KTK/47/2017: Halebeedu Hovsaleshwara Temple Halebeedu (earlier Dwarasamudra) was the capital of Hoysala empire in the 1th Century AD. The Hoysaleshwara temple built in 1117 AD is outstanding for its wealth of sculptural details. The walls of the temple are covered with a variety of depictions from Hindu mythology, animals and birds. No two sculptures of the temple are same.

Chennakeshava Temple, Belur

3. KTK/48/2017: Chennakeshava Temple, Belur The main attraction in Belur is the Chennakeshava Temple, built by King Vishnuvardhana in commemoration of his victory over the Cholas at Talakad in 1117 AD, 900 years back.

: Suresh.R - Bengaluru

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World Heritage Day

18 April - World Heritage Day

 “Cultural Heritage & Sustainable Tourism”

World Heritage Day

World Heritage Day (International Day for Monuments & Sites) was created in 1982 by ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments & Sites) and was later approved at the UNESCO General Conference in 1983.The aim is to promote awareness about the diversity of cultural heritage of humanity, their vulnerability and the efforts required for their protection and conservation.

18 April is celebrated all over the world by a wide range of organisations and many ICOMOS National and International Scientific Committees. Events include scientific conferences and symposia, exhibitions, photography competitions, excursions, press conferences, the awarding of prizes, releasing press releases, publishing magazine articles and projecting films, among others.

In 2017, the theme is “Cultural Heritage & Sustainable Tourism”, chosen in relation to the United Nations International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development and in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Taj Mahal - The Pride of India

World Heritage sites belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located.In the World Heritage stamp series, the United Nations Postal Administration issued stamps on Taj Mahal in the year 2014. The Taj Mahal, located in the Agra District in Uttar Pradesh, India is widely recognized as "the jewel of Muslim art in India" and is considered one of the most universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage.

Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Cultural heritage and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. What makes the concept of World Heritage exceptional is its universal application. 

New Stamp on ‘WORLD HERITAGE’

Saint Michael’s Castle (Saint Petersburg)

Date of issue: 15.03.2017

The common theme of EUROPA stamps this year is Castle. New Russian stamp on this theme features St Michael’s Castle. It is a former royal residence in the center of Saint Petersburg, and a major architectural landmark of 18th–19th centuries. It was built as a water castle for Emperor Paul I by architects Vincenzo Brenna and Vasily Bazhenov in 1797–1801.

The postage stamp features St Michael's Castle and the EUROPA logo.

St. Michael's Castle, also called the Mikhailovsky Castle (Russian: Миха́йловский за́мок), is a former royal residence in the historic centre of Saint Petersburg, Russia. The castle looks different from each side, as the architects used motifs of various architectural styles such as French Classicism, Italian Renaissance and Gothic. As the castle was solemnly consecrated on 8 November 1800, i.e. on St. Michael's Day in the Eastern Orthodox calendar, so it got this name.

St. Michael's Castle was built to the south of the Summer Garden. The building with rounded corners was surrounded by the waters of the Moika River, the Fontanka River and two specially dug canals (the Church Canal and the Sunday Canal), transforming the castle area into an artificial island which could only be reached by drawbridges.

The First Day Cancellation features the bronze equestrian monument to Peter the Great, set up in front of the castle.

The Northern Façade of Saint Michael’s Castle, Saint Petersburg is the motif depicted on the First Day Cover.

Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and related group of monuments is inscribed in UNESCO’s World Heritage list since 1990.

: Pradeep Kumar Mallik - Patna

email : mallikphila@gmail.com