India Post releases special postage stamps on Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple and Ramayana

Ahmadabad: In a unique fusion of tradition and philately, the grandeur of Ram Rajya has found expression through commemorative postage stamps issued by India Post. From the historic Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya to significant episodes of the Ramayana, India is promoting its rich cultural heritage via postal symbols that are now also resonating across the globe.

Speaking on the occasion of Ram Navami, Postmaster General of North Gujarat Region, Shri Krishna Kumar Yadav, highlighted how postal stamps have become a medium of preserving and spreading the legacy of Lord Shri Ram, both within India and abroad. More than 20 countries around the world have also issued stamps depicting characters and stories from the Ramayana, showing the global impact and reverence for this ancient epic.

A significant milestone in this cultural journey was marked on January 18, 2024, when Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi released a set of six commemorative postage stamps dedicated to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, just days before the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. These exquisite stamps not only feature Lord Ram but also other pivotal figures like Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman, Jatayu, Kevatraj, and Mata Shabari.

What makes these stamps truly historic is their innovative design and elements. They are printed with sandalwood fragrance, embossed with gold foil, and even infused with sacred soil and water from Ayodhya. The designs symbolize the Panch Mahabhutas (five elements of nature) and incorporate visual elements such as the Ram Mandir structure, the sacred Sarayu River, the sun, devotional Chaupai "Mangal Bhavan Amangal Hari", and temple sculptures.

These unique stamps are currently available at the Philatelic Bureau of Ahmedabad GPO and are being sought after by collectors and spiritual devotees alike.

Shri Yadav also recalled earlier philatelic efforts by India Post to honor Lord Ram’s legacy. On September 22, 2017, Prime Minister Modi had released a set of 11 stamps showcasing major episodes from the Ramayana at the Tulsi Manas Temple in Varanasi. These included scenes such as Sita Swayamvar, Ram’s exile, Bharat Milap, the meeting with Kevat, Jatayu's sacrifice, Shabari’s devotion, Hanuman’s encounter with Sita, Ram Setu construction, Sanjivani episode, Ravana's defeat, and finally, Ram’s coronation.

To commemorate the Bhoomi Pujan of the Ram Temple on August 5, 2020, India Post had also unveiled a customized postal stamp highlighting the temple’s proposed iconography, further deepening the cultural link between modern India and its ancient ethos.

“These stamps not only connect people to their cultural roots but also carry the message of India’s spiritual heritage across borders,” said Shri Yadav. “They will inspire the youth and promote awareness about our glorious traditions through a medium as simple yet profound as a postage stamp.”

Indeed, through each affixed envelope and international delivery, the spirit of Ram Rajya continues to travel the world—one stamp at a time.