The 14th edition of the Gujarat Philatelic Exhibition (GUJPEX) was held at the Sattavis Dashporwad Vidhya Mandir in Ahmedabad 380009 and was a highly anticipated event for stamp collectors and philatelists alike. The GUJPEX 2022 philatelic exhibition ran for a duration of three days, from 13th November to 15th November 2022, and was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, the esteemed Professor Himanshu A Pandya. The GUJPEX philatelic exhibition has become a staple on the cultural calendar of the state and this year’s edition did not disappoint, featuring a wide array of stamps and other philatelic items on display and up for sale.
Throughout the duration of the exhibition, a total of eight special covers and one permanent pictorial postmark were released. This blog aims to provide a comprehensive overview of all the philatelic releases that were made available to collectors and enthusiasts during the event.
Special cover on GUJPEX 2022
On the inaugural day of the exhibition, a special cover was issued featuring the logo of the event, which depicted the iconic Statue of Unity, the tallest statue in the world. The postmark on the cover also featured an image of the statue. Upon closer inspection, I noticed an unusual aspect of the postmark – rather than featuring a specific date, it displayed a range of dates, which is rather unusual in the world of philately. This adds an extra layer of uniqueness to this special cover and postmark combination.If you are looking for bracelet. There’s something to suit every look, from body-hugging to structured, from cuffs to chain chain bracelet and cuffs.
Permanent pictorial postmark of Shri Ranchhodraiji Maharaj Mandir, Dakor
A permanent pictorial postmark released for Dakor SO (388225) along with a special cover on Shri Ranchhodraiji Maharaj Mandir. The postmark and the special cover feature the image of the temple.
The Legend of Bodana and the Founding of Dakor: A Devotee’s Unwavering Faith in Lord Krishna
The town of Dakor in Gujarat is believed to have been founded by a devotee of Lord Krishna named Bodana. According to legend, Bodana had been a cowherd named Vijayanand in his previous life and had worshipped Lord Krishna in Gokul. One day, Lord Krishna appeared to him in disguise and asked him to perform a puja, but Vijayanand refused. As a result, the two engaged in a battle of colors and Lord Krishna lost, falling into a river. Vijayanand went after him and Lord Krishna revealed his true identity, granting Vijayanand the boon that he would be reborn in Gujarat as Bodana and his current wife, Sudha, would become Gangabai, his wife once again. Bodana became a devoted follower of Lord Krishna and would visit Dwarika to worship him with basil leaves. When he became too old to make the journey, Lord Krishna told him to bring a bullock cart on his next trip and promised to accompany him back to Dakor. Bodana did as he was told and Lord Krishna drove the cart, stopping to rest near the Bileshwar Mahadev temple on the Dakor-Nadiad road. When they arrived in Dakor, Bodana hid the idol of Lord Krishna in the Gomti tank and met with the hereditary priests of Dwarika, who had come to pursue him. One of the priests threw a spear at Bodana, killing him, but also causing the water in the Gomti tank to turn red with Lord Krishna’s blood. A small temple was built over the spot where the idol was hidden and is connected to the bank of the tank by a bridge. The priests of Dwarika demanded that Lord Krishna return with them, but Gangabai, Bodana’s widow, was unable to pay the required weight in gold. However, the idol became as light as a golden nose ring, which was all the gold Gangabai had. The priests returned to Dwarika with the idol and Bodana’s death was avenged when Lord Krishna killed the demon king Hiranyakashyapa in Dakor. The town became a place of pilgrimage for Hindus and the Ranchhodraiji Temple was built there to honor Lord Krishna.
Special cover on 250th Birth Anniversary of Raja Rammohun Roy
on 14th November, during the second day of the exhibition, one special cover released to commemorate 250th birth anniversary of Raja Rammohun Roy. The background of the cover depicts the Sati Pratha, which was abolished as a result of awareness created by Raja Rammohun. The postmark depicts the logo of Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation.
Raja Rammohun Roy was a 19th century Indian reformer and scholar who fought for rationalism, liberalism, and social reform. He is known for his efforts to abolish the practice of sati and for campaigning for women’s rights and education reform. He founded the Brahmo Sabha, a precursor to the Brahmo Samaj.
The Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF) is an organization in India that supports the activities of the Raja Rammohun Roy Library in Kolkata. The RRRLF works to preserve the library’s collection and promote research and scholarship related to the history and culture of India. It also organizes events and programs to promote the library and supports other libraries and cultural institutions in India.
Special cover on the Rotary Foundation
Another special cover released during the second day on the Rotary Foundation. This cover depicts the founder of Rotary International, Paul P. Harris and founder of The Rotary Foundation, Arch C. Clump. The postmark depicts the logo of Rotary International, the parent organisation of Rotary Foundation.
The Rotary Foundation is a charitable organization established by Rotary International to promote understanding, goodwill, and peace through health, education, and poverty alleviation initiatives. It supports these efforts through grants, peace centers, and scholarships.
Special cover on Imagine Rotary
Imagine Rotary is a campaign by Rotary International to inspire and engage people to make a positive impact in their communities through service projects and advocacy efforts. The campaign focuses on promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, saving mothers and children, and supporting education. It encourages people to join Rotary and become part of a global network of professionals working to make a difference.
The cover features different projects completed by Rotary club of Rajkot. The postmark depicts the logo of “Imagine Rotary” campaign.
Special cover on Hingolgadh Castle
Hingolgadh Castle is a historical fort located in the Hingol region of Gujarat, India. It was built by the Jadeja dynasty in the 16th century and has been used as a defensive structure and as a royal residence over the years. The castle is situated on a hilltop and is surrounded by a moat, which was once filled with crocodiles to deter attackers. The castle has several gates, including the main gate, which is known as the Suraj Dwar, and the eastern gate, which is called the Chandra Dwar. Inside the castle, there are several temples, including the Temple of Lord Shiva, and a number of residential buildings and halls. The castle is a popular tourist attraction in Gujarat and is known for its architectural and historical significance. The special cover and postmark depicts the forts of Hingolgadh.
Special cover on Asiatic lion
The Asiatic lion is a subspecies of lion native to India. It is larger and has a longer, thicker mane than African lions. Asiatic lions are endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, and conflict with humans. India has established protected areas and implemented conservation programs to protect the species, which is an important cultural and national symbol. The special cover and postmark features the image of Asiatic Lion.
Special cover on Ashutosh Rubber Pvt. Ltd.
During the last day of the exhibition, a beautiful special cover released on Rubber products, sponsored by Ashutosh Rubber Pvt. Ltd. This cover can be of interest for philatelists, who collects on automobiles or transportation themes.
The 14th edition of the Gujarat Philatelic Exhibition, or GUJPEX, was a highly successful event that drew stamp collectors and philatelists from all over the state. The exhibition, which took place over the course of three days from November 13th to November 15th, 2022, featured a variety of stamps and other philatelic items on display and for sale. One of the highlights of the exhibition was the release of a total of eight special covers and one permanent pictorial postmark, providing collectors with new items to add to their collections. Despite being a relatively niche interest, the GUJPEX exhibition was able to attract a significant number of attendees and contributed to the cultural calendar of the state. Overall, the exhibition was a great success and a worthwhile experience for all those who were able to attend.
Reference(s)
- Image courtesy Timir Shah, Philatelist (Gujarat IN), Facebook Id: timir.r.shah