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Postal Stamp Image : Stamp Issue Date : 09/02/1981 Postage Stamp Dinomination : 1.00 Postal Stamp Serial Number : 0999 Postal Stamp Name : GOMMATESHWARA Stamp Information : According to the Jain mythology, the first tirthankara, Rishabhanatha had two sons, Bharat and Bahubali. The step brothers contested for supremancy and their mighty armies ranged against each other in an impending battle. At the counsel of the ministers of both the courts, the issue was sought to be settled through a series of personal combats between the two kings. Bahubali vanquished his rival, but disgusted at the extent of debasing of human nature through greed, lust for power, pride and violence, he renounced the world. He violence, he renounced the world. He practised severe penance in the Kayotsarga mudra (the posture of renouncing the physical existence) for one whole year. Bahubali is known in south India as Gommateshwara. A colossal, monolithic statue of Gommateshwara was got sculpted by Chamunda Raya, a minister and commander-in-chief of the Ganga King Rajamalla Satyavakya (also known as Rachamallar). This statue is atop a granite hill at Shravanabelgola (in Karnataka). The place acquired its name from the pond of translucent waters (now known as Kalyani) around which Jain shramanas (ascetics) used to meditate. The 18 meter high colossus dominates the landscape from the 140 meter high hillock. In the traditional kayotsarga manner, his long hands reaching the knees, a sign of mahapurush (great man) rest at his sdes on which the madhvi creepers entwine. The figure is imbued with human warmth and divine grace, as is traditional in Indian art. The face is effulgent with inner bliss which a yogi achieves after fulfilment of a dedicated life. Oblivious of world around him his eyes are fixed at a point where cosmic ideas merge with our world of experience. The 18 meter high colossus dominates the landscape from the 140 meter high hillock. In the traditional kayotsarga manner, his long hands reaching the knees, a sign of mahapurush (great man) rest at his sides on which the madhavi creepers entwine. The figure is imbued with human warmth and divine grace, as is traditional in Indian art. The face is effulgent with inner bliss which a yogi achieves after fulfilment of a dedicated life. Oblivious of world around him his eyes are fixed at a point where cosmic ideas merge with our world of experience. The annonymous master-sculptor, who conceved the statue, integrated two different modes of sculpture : the upper portion is carved fully in round while the lower one is in high relief. The richness of fine gloss through burnishing, which equals to the polished Asokan figures of 3rd Century B.C. The statue was dedicaed in about 981 A.D., wwhen pratishthapana (holy insallation) took place. To celebrate the thousand year of the installation of the colossus, mahamastakabhisheka (holy annointing) is being performed in 1981. Indian Post & Telegraphs Department is privileged to commemorate the occasion by issuing a special stamp. (The above text is based on material published elsewhere and/or supplied by the sponsors.) Philatelic Stamp Description : The stamp design depicts the upper portion of the statue at Shravanabelgola. The first day cover, designed by Sumhinder Singh, depicts the footprints of Gommateshwara within a lotus flower. The special cancellation, designed by Charanjit Lal, consists of the artist?s impression of the Kalash (sacred pitcher) to be used for mahamastakabhisheka. Stamp Currency : R Stamp Type : COMMEMORATIVE Stamp Language : English Stamp Overall Size : 4.06 X 2.75 cms Postal Stamp Print Size : 3.70 X 2.4 cms. Number of Stamps Per Sheet : 40 Stamp Perforations : 14,1/2x14 Postal Stamp Shape : Vertical Postage Stamp Paper : Unwatermarked adhesive stamp paper Indian Stamp Process : Photogravure Number of stamps printed : 25,00,000 Stamp Printed At : India Security Press Indian Stamp's Color : Multicolour	Home Browse By     Issue Date     Paper     Color     Print Size     Currency   Alphabetical List

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