Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today released commemorative postage stamps on the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and a book of stamps issued on Lord Ram around the world. He said that they offer a snapshot of Ram, Sita, and the epic Ramayan.
The stamps were not merely a piece of paper or artwork but were a miniature form of epics and great ideas, he said in a video message.
Officials said that the components of the design included the Ram Mandir, the “chaupai”, “Mangal Bhavan Amangal Hari”, Sun, Saryu river, and sculptures in and around the temple.
The appeal of Ram, Sita, and Ramayan went beyond the boundaries of time, society, caste, religion, and region and connected with everyone, said Modi.
He added that Ramayan gave the message of the victory of love and taught people sacrifice, unity, and bravery in the most difficult of times, while connecting humanity — that is why the epic had been a centre of global attraction and was looked at with respect everywhere.
The six stamps released by him were on the Ram Mandir, Lord Ganesh, Lord Hanuman, Jatayu, Kevatraj, and Ma Shabri, said officials.
The 48-page stamp book covers stamps on Ram issued by more than 20 countries, including the United States, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada, Cambodia, and organisations like the United Nations.
Modi said that the stamps and the book would help the youth learn a lot about Ram, and they also offered a glimpse into the temple’s architecture and into the philosophy of panchtatva.
In the book, a gold leaf of sun rays and chaupai lent majesty to this miniature sheet, officials noted. The five physical elements — sky, air, fire, earth and water — were reflected through various design elements, they added.
The release of the commemorative stamps comes days before the consecration ceremony at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir on January 22.