Floating Post Office | India

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That India has the largest number of post offices in the world is a known fact. But did you know that there is a floating post office in India too? This postcard pictures the first floating post office on Dal Lake.

The lakeside of Dal Lake is used to grow vegetables. Every day from 4am to 6am the vegeteables are sold on the floating market. It’s a wholesale vegetable market where farmers bring their products and vendors buy them to again sell them at the main market.

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A special floating post office postmark.

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The Sundarbans | India

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Located at the mouth of the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers between India and Bangladesh, the Sundarbans contain the world's largest mangrove forests.

The mangrove habitat supports the single largest population of tigers in the world which have adapted to an almost amphibious life, being capable of swimming for long distances and feeding on fish, crab and water monitor lizards.

The Sundarbans is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram | India

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The Shore Temple (built in 700–728 AD) overlooks the shore of the Bay of Bengal, hence its name. It is a structural temple, built with blocks of granite, dating from the 8th century AD.

The temple is part of the Unesco World Heritage site Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram.

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The stamp on the right pictures Sathya Sai Baba, an Indian guru and philanthropist.

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Ross Island Penal Colony | India

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Ross Island is part of the remote Andaman Islands, an archipelago in the Bay of Bengal between India and Myanmar. It is a small island which has a circumference of only one mile.

Ross Island Penal Colony was part of a convict settlement that was established in 1858 by the British colonial government in India, primarily to jail a large number of prisoners from the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The prisoners where jailed in nearby Port Blair. On Ross Island, a church and barracks for troops and a Government House for the Chief Commissioner where located.

The remains of the colony got devastated after the 2004 tsunami, visits to the island are no longer possible.

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St. Mary's Islands | India

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The St. Mary’s Islands are a group of four small islands in the Arabian Sea, off the coast of Karnataka, India. The island of St Mary is known for its distinctive geological formation of columnar basaltic lava.

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The stamp has a St. Mary's Islands postmark. St. Mary’s Islands  are about 20 minutes by boat from Malpe Beach.

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Palace of the Assembly | India

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Palace of the Assembly is a legislative assembly designed by world famous architect Le Corbusier and is located in Chandigarh, India.

The building is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site “The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement”. The style is characterised by:

• asymmetrical compositions
• use of general cubic or cylindrical shapes
• flat roofs
• use of reinforced concrete 
• metal and glass frameworks often resulting in large windows in horizontal bands
• an absence of ornament or mouldings.

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Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara | India

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Nalanda Mahavihara (meaning Nalanda University) was a centre of learning from the seventh century BCE to 1200 CE. The site comprises the archaeological remains of stupas, shrines, viharas (residential and educational buildings) and important art works in stucco, stone and metal.

In 2016 UNESCO declared the ruins of Nalanda Mahavihara to be a World Heritage Site.

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Nilgiri mountain railway | India

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The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is a railway in Tamil Nadu, India, built by the British in 1908. Together with Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site Mountain Railways of India.

The track is 46 kilometers long and passes over 250 bridges and through 16 tunnels.

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Ellora Caves | India

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Ellora is an archaeological site near the city of Aurangabad in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The site is well known for its monumental monasteries and temples, all cut out of a high basalt cliff.

 

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Surya Namaskar Stamps commemorating International Day of Yoga 2016. Surya Namaskar is a very ancient technique of paying respect to the sun, a source of all forms of life on the planet. These postures are a good way to keep the body in shape and the mind calm and healthy. J

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Cave 17, Ajanta | India

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The Ajanta Caves are about 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 or 650 CE. Cave 17 contains some of the best preserved and well known paintings of all the caves.

 

UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983.

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The stamp on the right is to commemorate the 150th anniversary of introduction of Sagol Kangjei to the world, the name of the game of polo played in Manipur. 

Sagol means pony or horse, kang means ball or round object, and jei is a stick used for hitting. 

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The Queen’s Stepwell at Patan | India

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Rani ki Vav (the Queen's Stepwell) is located on the banks of the Saraswati River in Patan, India. The well was Initially built as a memorial in the 11th century. The site was only re-discovered in the 1950s as its many levels had been backfilled with silt over the centuries.

The well is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since June 2014.

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Humayun's Tomb | India

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Humayun's tomb is the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun in Delhi, India. Humayun died in 1556, and his widow Hamida Banu Begam, ordered the construction of his tomb fourteen years after his death.

Humayun's tomb is UNESCO World Heritage site.

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The Lotus Mahal in Hampi | India

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Hampi is a village in northern Karnataka, India. It was one of the richest and largest cities in the world during its prime. The Lotus Mahal or Lotus Palace is the place where Rani (Queen) use to stay during summer. The palace is located among the ruins of Hampi.

The Group of Monuments at Hampi is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

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The stamp on the left pictures Hasrat Mohani (1 January 1875 – 13 May 1951). Romantic Poet, journalist, politician and parliamentarian of British India. He was a freedom fighter and never accepted British rule over India.

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India Gate, the war memorial in New Delhi | India

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The India Gate is a war memorial located in New Delhi, India. The monument is a memorial to the 82,000 soldiers who died in the First World War.

New Delhi is the capital of India. The Delhi metropolitan region has a population of over 22 million.

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The Tata family is a family of Indian industrialists and philanthropists who founded iron and steel works, cotton mills and power plants that contributed to India’s industrial development. A prominent member of this family is J.R.D. Tata (1904-1993).

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Churches and Convents of Goa: Basilica of Bom Jesus

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Old Goa is a historical city in the Indian state of Goa. The remains of the city are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The churches and covenants of Old Goa are remnants of the existence of Portuguese rule in the area. The 16th and 17th centuries saw the construction of several cathedrals and churches, including Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa's most famous Jesuit church.

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(left) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (1891 – 1956) The first Minister for Law in free India, and shaped the country’s Constitution.

(middle) Chelat Achutha Menon (1913 – 1991) was the Chief Minister of Kerala state for two terms.

(right) Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Health in Vailankanni

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The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

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The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also known as the "Toy Train", is a railway that runs between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling in the Indian state of West Bengal, India. Built between 1879 and 1881, the railway is about 78 kilometres long. Its elevation level varies from about 100 metres to about 2,200 metres.

 

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1999. It is listed as  Mountain Railways of India. This site includes three railways: the Darjeeling Himalayan, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway and the Kalka Shimla Railway. All three railways are still fully operational.

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This stamp is part of a set of five stamps about spices of India: coriander, chilly and turmeric (curcuma).

Thx Rod!

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Vagator Beach: Goa, India

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Goa, a former Portuguese colony, is the smallest state in India and synonymous with tourism. The state of Goa  is famous for its beautiful beaches, churches and temples and its primary industry is tourism.

Vagator beach is located in North Goa. The entire beach is lined with tall palm trees. Vagator Beach has dramatic red cliffs looking down on the shore and two fresh water springs within a stone's throw of the sea.

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(left) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (1891 – 1956)

“Born in a class considered low and outcast. Dr. Ambedkar fought untiringly for the downtrodden. The boy who suffered bitter humiliation became the first Minister for Law in free India, and shaped the country’s Constitution. A determined fighter, a deep scholar, human to the tips of his fingers.”

(right) Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, (1888 – 1970) was an Indian physicist and Nobel Prize winner (1930).

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Leh Palace in Ladakh, India

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Jammu and Kashmir is the northernmost state under Indian administration. It is situated mostly in the Himalayan mountains. One of the three regions in Jammu and Kashmir Ladakh, also known as "Little Tibet".

Leh Palace was built in the 17th century as a royal residence for King Singe Namgyal. The palace overlooks the Ladakhi Himalayan town of Leh, modelled on the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. 

 

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(left) Indira Gandhi (1917 – 1984) was the third Prime Minister of India and a central figure in Indian politics during the second half of the 20th century.

(right) Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, (1888 – 1970) was an Indian physicist and Nobel Prize winner (1930).

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Jaisalmer Desert Festival, Rajastan

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The Jaisalmer desert festival is a three-day long extravaganza of dances, music, handicraft fairs and interesting competitions- including really unusual ones like a 'Mr Desert' pageant and a 'best moustache' contest. It's a fantastic showcase of all things Rajasthani.

Besides the food, the music and the cultural performances, there are camel rides, processions, camel polo, and even a camel tug-of-war.

Rajasthan is the largest state of the Republic of India. And it is one of the most popular tourist destination in India for its historical forts, palaces, art and culture.

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(left) Indira Gandhi (1917 – 1984) was the third Prime Minister of India and a central figure in Indian politics during the second half of the 20th century.

(right) Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, (1888 – 1970) was an Indian physicist and Nobel Prize winner (1930).

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Kathakali Dance from India

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Kathakali is the most well known dance drama from the south Indian state of Kerala.  The word Kathakali literally means "Story-Play".  It is known for its large, elaborate makeup and costumes.  The elaborate costumes of Kathakali have become the most recognised icon for Kerala.

The themes of the Kathakali are religious in nature. Kathakali has a long tradition.  It dates back to the 17th century. A Kathakali performance is a major social event.  They generally start at dusk and go throughout the night.

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(left) Protul Chandra Sorcar (1913 – 1971), a famous Indian magician.

(middle) Major General Dewan Misri Chand (1907 – 1970).

(right) Gaurishankar Dalmia (1910 – 1988) took an active part in the freedom struggle.

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