The Assam Postal Circle held its 4th State Level Philatelic Exhibition, ASSAMPEX 2022 in Guwahati from October 12-15, 2022. The event featured a range of rare and fascinating stamps and other postal memorabilia.
A total of 9 special covers and a set of 14 booklets were released during the four-day exhibition. This post will give a comprehensive overview of all the new philatelic releases that took place during the exhibition.
Special cover on Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati
Kamakhya Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Kamakhya, a form of the mother goddess Shakti. It is located on Nilachal Hill in the city of Guwahati in the state of Assam, India. According to legend, the temple is built on the site where the yoni (feminine reproductive organ) of the goddess Sati, the consort of Lord Shiva, fell to earth after Shiva cut her body into pieces in a fit of rage. The temple is believed to have been constructed in the 8th century, and has undergone numerous renovations and renovations over the centuries. It is a major center of tantric worship and is known for its annual Ambubachi Mela, a festival that celebrates the annual menstruation of the goddess.Article Sponsored Find something for everyone in our collection of colourful, bright and stylish socks. Buy individually or in bundles to add color to your sock drawer!
Special cover on Jagannath Temple, Dibrugarh
The Jagannath Temple in Dibrugarh, Assam is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Vishnu. According to legend, the temple was built in the 19th century by a devotee named Bhagwandas Agarwalla. The temple is built in the traditional Odia style of architecture, with a pyramid-shaped roof and decorated with intricate carvings. The temple has three main deities: Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and his sister Subhadra.
The postmark on the special covers depicts the Neelachakra (an eight spoked wheel).
Special cover on BCPL
Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited (BCPL) is a public sector company in India that is engaged in the production of petrochemicals and polymers. BCPL was incorporated in 2006 as a joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Assam. It is headquartered in Lepetkata, Dibrugarh, Assam. The company’s products are used in a variety of industries, including packaging, textiles, construction, automotive, and agriculture.
Special cover on Bihu Dance of Assam
Bihu is a traditional dance form of the state of Assam in northeastern India. It is an important cultural event that is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy by the people of Assam. Bihu is traditionally performed during the Bihu festivals, which are celebrated three times a year: Rongali Bihu in April, Kongali Bihu in October, and Bhogali Bihu in January. The dance is performed by both men and women and is characterized by energetic and rhythmic movements. The Bihu dance is accompanied by traditional music played on instruments like the dhol (drum), pepa (flute), and taal (cymbals). The dance is an expression of the culture and traditions of Assam and is an integral part of the state’s identity.
Special cover on Traditional Attire of Assam
The traditional attires of different communities and tribes of Assam are unique, peculiar, vibrant and colourful.
1. Assamese, Bodo, Chutia
The Mekhala Chadar is the traditional attire of Assamese women. The Churiya and Gamocha are marked to be the native dress of the Assamese men. A Bodo women wears her Dokhna or Dokhona covering the body from chest down to the ankle. A Chutia woman traditional attire Riha (Methoni), Mekhela (Igu), Chola, Gathigi (a headgear) and ornaments like Gamkharu, Madoli and Jonbiri.
2. Garo, Karbi, Rabha
The Garo women of Garo hills in Meghalaya wear eking, a small cloth worn around the waist. They wear a blouse along with a handmade Dakmanda, which is wrapped around the waist. The peculiar two edged sword called mil-am is one of the traditional weapons of the Garos. The Karbi females wear Pinicamflak as lower garment and Pekok as upper garment. The Rabhas wear traditional costumes called Koum Kontong.
3. Dimasa, Tiwa, Koch
The Dimasa women wear Riga, a wrapper or lower garment of various colours, worn from waist to ankle. The Dimasa men wear Riendi or Rithap, a chadar or shawl, usually made from Eri silk of silk worm as well as Gainthao, a white long dhuti, worn from waist to ankle. The Tiwa or Lalung women wear traditional dress Kashong Phaskai in its traditional color. The Koch Rajbangshi women wear Patani or Phota as their customary dress. The women tie it simply over the bosom and it covers upto the knees. The particular yellowish Gamcha woven in handloom is another traditional attire of the Koch People.
4. Sonowal Kachari/Mising/Ahom
The Sonowal women wear some beautiful dresses like Chadar, Mekhela, Riha and the men wear Dhuti and Chola. The Mising women wear traditional mekhela chadar known as Yakan Age-Gasor. The Mising men wear white dhuti (ugon), dumer (a towel) and a shirt called Mibu galuk along with a paguri (turban). The Ahom use a piece of cloth called Pha-siu to cover their foreheads. The Ahom men wear churia as lower garment and a shirt called pha-tu-wai as upper garment covering the body upto knee.
Special cover on the Maha Mrityunjay Temple
Mahamrityunjay Temple located in Puranigudam Barhampur Narasingha Khetra, under Nagaon district of Assam is famous for its architecture and sadhana. This Mahamrityunjay temple is the largest Lingakar temple in Asia, which is 125 feet high mrityunjay Sadhak Brahmik Baba Bhrigu Giriji Maharaj, on the strength of his spiritual sadhana and penance, had exposed the truth that on this Mahamrityunjay temple land, the Daitya Guru Shukracharya had done Mahamrityunjay sadhana and awakened Mrityunjaya Vidya and invented Sanjeevani Vidya, which is still alive and present till today on this land. It is noteworthy that the construction of this temple was started in the year 2003 by Acharya Bhrigu Giriji Maharaj and on 26 February 2021, the door of the temple was opened for all the devotees for darshan.
Booklets on Azad Hind- Chalo Delhi Stamps
On October 14, 2022, a set of 14 booklets released featuring stamps commemorating Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the “Azad Hind” and “Chalo Delhi” slogans. Each booklet contained a block of four definitive stamps featuring Netaji, with a face value of INR 5.00.
Error: On the back cover of the booklet the stamps is of Magenta colored 12a plus 1 rupee denomination
The ASSAMPEX 2022 was a success, featuring rare stamps and educational displays. It brought together stamp collectors and provided a unique, enjoyable experience for all attendees. The exhibition showcased the strong community of stamp collectors in Assam and encouraged future attendance at similar events.
What was your favorite part of the exhibition? Share your thoughts in the comments below!