A special cover with special cancellation was issued on 7th March, 2024 ahead of Mahashivratri on Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple at the Head Post Office, Varanasi. The cover was released by Prof. Nagendra Pandey, President, Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trusteeship Council alongwith Shri. Krishn Kumar Yadav, Postmaster General, Varanasi Region, Shri. Vinay Kumar, SPO(West) Varanasi Division, Shri. P. C. Tiwari Senior Postmaster HPO Varanasi and Shri. Pramod Kumar Bansal, President, Prayag Philatelic Society.
The Secretary of the society welcomed the guests while Shri. Ashok Mital, member of the society greeted them with flowers. The President of the Society, Shri. Pramod Kumar Bansal presented mementos to the dignitaries.
The special cover and cancellation on Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple was proposed by Prayag Philatelic Society, Prayagraj which was considered and approved by the office of Postmaster General, Varanasi Region. The cover and cancellation was designed by a member of the society. The postmark or cancellation depicts ‘Nandi’.
The event was held to commemorate the celebrations of Mahashivratri. Kashi Vishwanath Temple is situated on the western bank of the sacred river Ganga in India’s oldest city Kashi, known as Varanasi. This is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The Jyotirlinga form of Lord Shiva is worshiped here since ancient times. This temple was rebuilt by Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore in 1777-80. The structure of the temple has three major pinnacles, two of which are gold studded. The main temple is quadrilateral and surrounded by temples of other deities. Since the inauguration of the grand, divine and new form of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor in the year 2021, there has been a huge increase in the number of devotees coming from India and abroad.
In his speech, the chief guest Prof.Pandey said that it was one of the most happiest moment for him to have released a special cover on Kashi Vishwanath Temple and he thanked the PMG to have given him this opportunity to be present for the release and to have met the august gathering.
Mr. K.K.Yadav welcomed everyone in the divine festivity of Mahashivratri and said that Kashi has been known for its traditions and it is incomplete without the magnificent temple where Lord Shiv stays with his family. The temple has been witness to various historical events and it is considered not only a religious place but a source of knowledge and intellect. The devotees come to the temple with faith and prayers. He emphasised on the importance of philately as it is a source of knowledge and research on manifold subjects.
Among the members of the society, Shri. Pramod Kumar Bansal(President), Shri. Rahul Ganguli(Secretary) and Shri. Ashok Mital were present for the function. Staff members from the postal department also graced the occasion. The event was conducted by the Secretary of the society.
The special cover is available at the Philatelic Bureau, Varanasi and later it will be available through the webportal of Department of Posts – ePost Office.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks to the Chief Guest and Postmaster General and to all who were present for the occasion. The National Anthem was sung by all at the end of the function.
