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Thursday, 19 April 2018

Palanquin Carried Special Cover for Rasagola #AToZChallenge

 A Palanquin Carried Special Cover, "Rasagola in SriJagannathji's cuisine", was released on March 1st, 2018 at Puri Head Post Office by the Department of Posts. The special cover was released on a special day- Dola Purnima, the day before Holi when traditionally Holi colours and sweets are offered to the Gods.
 
This Special Cover features the traditional offering of Rasagola as bhog/prasad to Goddess Laxmi on behalf of Lord Jagannath during Niladri Bije at Sri Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha. 
Rasagola has been a Mahaprasad of Lord Jagannath from centuries and Rasagola is one of the more than hundred dishes that are offered as bhog/prasad.

Rasagola, a cheese-based Odisha sweetmeat, finds mention in the Odia 'Ramayana' by Balaram Das (1472-1550 AD). Rasagola is offered by Lord Jagannath to appease Goddess Laxmi on Niladri Bije, the last day of Rath Yatra at Puri. As the Lord visits Gundicha Temple with His siblings during the Car Festival, His wife is aggrieved for being left behind. 'Swatwalipi', the Record of Rights governing all rituals of Shree Jagannath Temple, specifically mentions Rasagola. The Panjika of 'Tadhaukaran' servitor also mentions Rasagola as a special offering by the 'Bhitarachha Mohapatra' servitor.
This information is in three languages - Odia, Hindi & English on the reverse-side of the cover.
 
The programme commenced after the traditional lighting of the lamp, and offering Rasagolas to Sri Jagannath.


The cover was released by Chief Postmaster General, Odisha circle, Dr. Santosh Kumar Kamila and presented to Chhatisa Nijog Nayak Shri Janardana Patjoshi Mohapatra.

The meeting was presided by President, Srikhetra Saangi, Shri Mahendra Mishra. Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Puri division, Shri Sanjay Kumar Mohapatra; Postmaster Puri HO, Debaraj Sethi; cultural researcher, Dr. Asit Mohanty; Secretary, Srikhetra Saangi, Shri Rama Ballabh Mohapatra, were also present on the dias and were presented the same cover.
The meeting was arranged by senior philatelists, Shri Bijoy Kumar Biswal and Shri Ajaya Kumar Barik. The cover & cachet designing was done by Shri Kashinath Sahoo, from Eastern India Philatelic Association.

Renowned singer Prof. Mitali Chinara; Filmmaker Shri Susanta Mishra; Secretary, Aama Odisha, Swaraj Mishra; Singhadwar Sub PostMaster, Vidhi Saran Narayan Nayak; and others were also present. 
Vice President of Srikhetra Saangi, Shri Dharmaprasad Mishra delivered the vote of thanks.
 At the end of the event, guests were served Rasagolas. 
I was delighted to attend the event and to receive the special cover.
 
The news of the release of the special cover was carried in many Odia and English newspapers.
Samaja


Orissa Post
The Times of India
Sambad
The Telegraph
Post for my second #atozchallenge. P for Palanquin Carried Special Cover by Department of Posts
My Theme is- "Odisha- The Soul of Incredible India".
Odisha is a state in the eastern part of India. Have you visited Odisha and India? 
I am sharing some glimpses from Odisha. Do keep reading and discovering!
at

10 comments:

  1. Shilpa Garg19 April 2018 at 21:18

    So interesting. Is this postal cover available throughout India?
    You look fabulous with short hair!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anita Sabat23 April 2018 at 13:00

      The special cover was available in the GPOs of the major metros throughout India. I checked with the authorities and they said those are sold out.
      However, some covers are still available at Bhubaneswar GPO. If you are keen to procure one, do let me know.
      Thank you so much, Shilpa :)Glad you liked the style!

      Delete
  2. kaykuala20 April 2018 at 05:51

    My, you offered so much, all loaded with colors, informative and even educational. A rare event! Thanks for sharing Dr Anita!

    Hank

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anita Sabat23 April 2018 at 13:03

      Thanks for stopping by and for your nice words & appreciation, Hank.
      These are just a few photographs of a single event...
      You must visit Odisha, India, to experience the riot of colours, history, heritage & culture! :)

      Delete
  3. Powell River Books28 April 2018 at 03:15

    Looks like there are stamp collectors around the world. Interesting ceremony. - Margy

    ReplyDelete
  4. ABC-Wednesday29 April 2018 at 13:40

    Being Dutch.. you're world is so totaly different from mine... I do know far to little about it... but it Always strikes me how colorful your surroundings are. Sometimes, I wish I could read/understand the language you write/speak so I would get to know your culture better.

    Have a splendid, ♥-warming ABC-Wednes-day / -week
    ♫ M e l ☺ d y ♪ (ABC-W-team)
    http://melodymusic.nl/22-p

    (ps.. just now I notice your title.. may I ask what it stands for?)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Roger Owen Green30 April 2018 at 02:42

    very colorful and descriptive

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ganesh Hingmire16 May 2018 at 17:32

    Really appreciating work, properly studied write up, glad to be associated with you

    ReplyDelete
  7. Unknown7 April 2019 at 18:27

    A very very good and sweet memory to observe rasagolla day and get blessings of Lord Jagannath, Maa Mahalakshmi . A sweet bondage of family festivity too. Lord bless all . The first cover shall carry the message wherever it would move.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Unknown7 April 2019 at 18:28

    A very very good and sweet memory to observe rasagolla day and get blessings of Lord Jagannath, Maa Mahalakshmi . A sweet bondage of family festivity too. Lord bless all . The first cover shall carry the message wherever it would move.

    ReplyDelete

Your words mean a lot to me.