Friday, September 16, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
DDR (Germany) : Olympic Stamps
1972 : Sapporo Winter Olympic Games
1972 : Munich Summer Olympic Games
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Delhi – Commonwealth Games 2010 Stamps
Countries Participated in Commonwealth Games 2010 New Delhi
Guernsey Stamps :
Guernsey FDC :
Mozambique : SS
PNG : FDC
PNG : SS
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Happy Onam
Onam Greetings
Onam is the biggest festival in the Indian state of Kerala. Onam Festival falls during the Malayali month of Chingam (Aug - Sep) and marks the homecoming of legendary King Mahabali. Carnival of Onam lasts for ten days and brings out the best of Kerala culture and tradition. Intricately decorated Pookalam, ambrosial Onasadya, breathtaking Snake Boat Race and exotic Kaikottikali dance are some of the most remarkable features of Onam - the harvest festival in Kerala.
King Mahabali & Onam
The legend of King Mahabali is the most popular and the most fascinating of all legends behind Onam. Onam celebrates the visit of King Mahabali to the state of Kerala every year. The festival is celebrated with fervour as King Mahabali is greatly respected by his subjects. King Mahabali is also popularly called Maveli and Onathappan.
Reign of King Mahabali :
The story goes that the beautiful state of Kerala was once ruled by an Asura (demon) king, Mahabali. The King was greatly respected in his kingdom and was considered to be wise, judicious and extremely generous. It is said that Kerala witnessed its golden era in the reign of King Mahabali. Everybody was happy in the kingdom, there was no discrimination on the basis of caste or class. Rich and poor were equally treated. There was neither crime, nor corruption. People did not even lock their doors, as there were no thieves in that kingdom. There was no poverty, sorrow or disease in the reign of King Mahabali and everybody was happy and content.
Brief Sketch of King Mahabali :
It may be noted Mahabali was the son of Veerochana and grandson of Prahlad, the devout son of demon King Hiranyakashyap. Mahabali had a son called Bana, who became a legendary king in his own right and became popular as Banraj in central Assam. Mahabali belonged to the Asura (demon) dynasty but was an ardent worshiper of Lord Vishnu. His bravery and strength of character earned him the title of "Mahabali Chakravathy" or Mahabali - the King of Kings.
Challenge for Gods:
Looking at the growing popularity and fame of King Mahabali Gods became extremely concerned and jealous. They felt threatened about their own supremacy and began to think of a strategy to get rid of the dilemma.
To curb the growing reign of Mahabali and maintain their own supremacy, Aditi, the mother of Gods seeked help of Lord Vishnu (the preserver in the Hindu trinity) whom Mahabali worshiped.
It was said Mahabali was very generous and charitable. Whenever anybody approached him for help or requested for anything he always granted. To test the King, Lord Vishnu disguised himself as a dwarf and a poor Brahmin called Vamana. He came to the Kingdom of Mahabali, just after Mahabali performed his morning prayers and was preparing to grant boons to Brahmins.
Lord Vishnu takes Vamana Avatar:
Disguised as Vamana, Vishnu said he was a poor Brahmin and asked for a piece of land. The generous King said, he could have as much land as he wanted. The Brahmin said that he just wanted as much land as could be covered by his three steps. The King was surprised to hear but agreed.
A learned adviser of the King, Shukracharya sensed that Vamana was not an ordinary person and warned the King against making the promise. But, the generous King replied that it would be a sin for a King to back on his words and asked the Brahmin to take the land. The King could not imagine that the dwarf Brahmin was Lord Vishnu himself.
Just as King Mahabali agreed to grant the land, Vamana began to expand and eventually increased himself to the size of cosmic proportions. With his first step the Brahmin boy covered the whole of earth and with the other step he covered the whole of the skies. He then asked King Mahabali where is the space for him to keep his third foot.
The King realised that he was no ordinary Brahmin and his third step will destroy the earth. Mahabali with folded hands bowed before Vamana and asked him to place his last step on his head so that he could keep the promise. The Brahmin placed his foot on the head of the King, which pushed him to patala, the nether world. There the King requested the Brahmin to reveal his true identity. Lord Vishnu then appeared before the King in his person. The Lord told the King that he came to test him and the King won the test. King Mahabali was pleased to see his lord. Lord Vishnu also granted a boon to the King.
King Mahabali Requests for a Visit to Kerala
The King was so much attached with his Kingdom and people that he requested that he be allowed to visit Kerala once in a year. Lord Vishnu was moved by the Kings nobility and was pleased to grant the wish. He also blessed the King and said even after losing all his worldly possessions, the King would always be loved by Lord Vishnu and his people.Genesis of Onam :
It is the day of the visit of King Mahabali to Kerala that is celebrated as Onam every year. The festival is celebrated as a tribute to the sacrifice of King Mahabali. Every year people make elaborate preparations to welcome their King whom they affectionately call Onathappan. They wish to please the spirit of their King by depicting that his people are happy and wish him well. The second day, Thiruvonam is the biggest and the most important day of this festival. It is believed that King Mahabali visits his people on the second day.
Onam celebrations are marked in Trikkakara, a place 10 km from Kochi (Cochin) on the Edapally- Pookattupadi road. Trikkara is said to be the capital of the mighty King Mahabali. A temple with a deity of 'Trikkakara Appan' or 'Vamanamurthy' who is Lord Vishnu himself in disguise is also located at this place. Nowhere else in Kerala can one find a deity of 'Vamanamurthy'. This fascinating legend is artistically depicted at the Suchindram Temple in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu.
Onam Celebrations:
High-spirited people of Kerala celebrate Onam with gaiety and fervor. The festival is celebrated for a period of ten days, starting from the first day Atham and continuing till tenth and the biggest day called Thiru Onam. The spectacular festival attracts thousands of tourists from across the country and globe. Immense popularity of the festival is further promoted by the Government of India by celebrating Kerala Tourism Week during the time of Onam.
Beginning of the Celebrations:
Celebrations of the first day are marked by intricate floral carpets called Pookalam. More flowers of different colours are added to this pookalam on each passing day. Girls take great delight in designing them in the front courtyards of their house. Boys take pleasure in helping them gather flowers. Special prayers are also said on Atham in a local temple. Hectic activities for the carnival begin in the state from this day onwards.
Celebrations on Thiru Onam:
The biggest and the most happening day in the carnival of Onam is Thiruvonam. Festivities begin as early as 4 am. People clean up their house, take early bath, wear new clothes and perform elaborate prayers to seek divine blessings. A massive and most exquisite pookalam is prepared on this day to welcome the spirit of King Maveli.
Highpoint of the day is the enormous lunch called Onasadya. People of Kerala are extremely passionate about this. Even if they cannot easily afford, they will anyhow prepare the meal inclusive of all the 11-13 prescribed dishes. This has lead to the saying in Malayalam, "Kanam Vittu Onam Unnanam" which means, "We should have the Thiruonam lunch even if we have to sell all our properties".
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
My New Blog : MY STEDIUM POSTCARDS
Today I am inaugurating my new blog : My Stadium Postcards. A Web site specifically devoted to the hobby of collecting Stadium and Arena Postcards.
Please visit Below Link :
http://ganesh-mystadiumpostcards.blogspot.com/
Thanks
Monday, September 5, 2011
Lithuania : “XXXVII EUROPEAN MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP”
After a 72 years break Lithuania will host the European Men’s Basketball Championship of 2011, which will be held from August 31 until September 18. The 24 strongest European men’s basketball teams will compete for medals and qualify for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The most outstanding European basketball players will show their talent for the residents and guests of six Lithuanian cities.
The group matches of the tournament will be played in Alytus, Klaipėda, Šiauliai and Panevėžys. Afterwards the strongest 12 teams of the Old Continent will gather in Vilnius and the champion and prize winners will be announced in the new Kaunas Arena, which is the largest arena in the Baltic countries
Artist E. Paukštytė.
Offset. Art paper. Stamp – 32,25x26 mm. Perf.14¼x14. Sheet of 9 stamps (3x3). The upper and lower margins of a sheet are with inscription.
Face value: 2,45 Lt.
Edition: 180 000.
Printed in "Österreichische Staatsdruckerei GmbH" printing-house in Austria (Vienna).
Friday, September 2, 2011
Lalbaugcha Raja-2011
Happy Ganesh Festival
GANAPATI BAPPA MORAYA....................
MANGAL MURATI MORAYA..........................
लालबागचा राजा हे लालबागचा राजा सार्वजनिक गणेशोत्सव मंडळाच्या गणेश मुर्तीला लोकांकडून मिळालेले नाव आहे. मंडळाने गणेशोत्सव 2011 च्या तयारीला जून महिन्यातच सुरुवात केली आहे. भाविकांना लालबागचा राजाचे व्यवस्थित दर्शन व्हावे यासाठी मंडळ नेहमीच प्रयत्नशिल असते. गणेशोत्सव 2010 साठी सुमारे 2500 सहकारी सभासदांची नियुक्ती करण्यात आली आहे. यांच्या बरोबरच सुमारे 5000 स्वयंसेवक लालबागच्या राजाच्या भाविकांच्या मदतीसाठी तयार आहेत. आपाद्कालीन परिस्थितीचा सामना करण्यासाठी काही स्वयंसेवकांना विशेष प्रशिक्षण देण्यात आले आहे.
गणेशोत्सव 2011 साठी व्यवस्था
यावर्षी लालबागच्या राजाला नवस करण्यासाठी वा फेडण्यासाठी आलेल्या भाविकांची नवसाची रांग ग.द.आंबेकर मार्गावरील ओमशांती डेव्हलपर्सच्या आवारातून लागेल. या ठिकाणी पोहोचण्यासाठी भाविकांनी करीरोड - भारतमाता सिनेमा - साईबाबा पथ - ग.द.आंबेकर - अभ्युदय नगर या मार्गाचा वापर करावा. रेल्वे मार्गाने येणाऱयांनी मध्य रेल्वेचे करीरोड स्थानक वा पश्चिम रेल्वेचे लोअर परेल स्थानक अथवा हार्बर मार्गाचे कॉटनग्रीन स्थानक येथे उतरावे.
लालबागच्या राजाचे मुख दर्शन घेऊ इच्छिणाऱया भाविकांची `मुख दर्शन रांग' गणेशोत्सव 2010 सारखीच असेल. ही रांग दत्ताराम लाड मार्ग, काळाचौकी येथून चालू होऊन छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराज क्रिडांगण (गरमखाडा) मार्गे श्रीं च्या आवारात येईल. मुख दर्शन घेऊन इच्छिणाऱया भाविकांनी मध्य रेल्वे मार्गाचे चिंचपोकळी स्थानक अथवा हार्बर रेल्वे मार्गाचे कॉटनग्रीन स्थानक येथे उतरावे.
For More information About Ganesh Festival and LalBaugcha Raja
Please Log On to :
http://www.lalbaugcharaja.in/
What is Ganesh Festival? :
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most popular and auspicious Hindu festivals. Ganesh Chaturthi also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi is the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the symbol of wisdom and remover of obstacles. This festival is also known as Ganesh Utsav which means festival of Ganesh. Lord Ganesha is also referred to as Ganapati, Gajanana, Vinayaka, Vighneshawar and Pillaiyar. This auspicious day falls on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada (August-September). This festival is observed throughout India, as well as by devoted Hindus in all parts of the world. This festival is widely celebrated in Maharashtra,West Bengal,Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Andra Pradesh. This year this festival date falls on Saturday, the 1st of September, 2011. In 2010, Eid and Vinayaka Chaturthi was on the same day but this year it has fallen one day after Eid.
This festival lasts for 10 days starting with devotees bring home a Ganesha Idol and offer him prayers daily and ending on Anant Chaturdashi day. One can also see huge Ganesh Statues in every locality pandhals during the period which attracts huge crowds to see and worship this Elephant God. One of the best Ganesh Mandals in Maharashtra is the Lalbaughcha Raja in Mumbai which is one of the most popular among pandhal hoppers. However, these days more and more people are turning to eco friendly Ganesh Idols instead of Plaster of Paris to protect the environment. This Ganesha idols are kept for 10 days from Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi to the Ananta Chaturdashi and worshipped with rituals and mantras and then taken on the 11th day in a procession where devotees sing and dance before immersing Lord Ganesh idol to the water symbolizing the removal of all obstacles and misfortunes of his devotees and retuning to Mount Kailash to his parents. This ritual of immersing Lord Ganesh Statue is known as Ganesh Visarjan.
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