Festivals of India [17-Oct-2008]

Theme: Festivals
Title: Festivals of India
Date Of Issue: 17-Oct-2008
Denomination: 500(Ps)
No/Issue Sheet: 30
Printing Process: Photogravure
Nos. Printed: 3 Million
Printer: India Security Press, Nasik

STAMP 1: DUSSEHRA KOLKATTA- The festival of Dussehra, also known as "Vijayadashmi" is one of the facinating festivals of India and is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm for ten continuous days. Dussehra, or the tenth day, as it literally means, marks the end of the nine days of Navaratri. The first nine nights are spent in the worship of Goddess Durga. This festival falls in the month of Aswin(Sep-Oct). The legend underlying the celebration, as also its mode of conduct, vary vastly by region:however, all festivities celebrate the vistory of the forces of Good over Evil.

STAMP 2: DUSSEHRA,MYSORE - The festival of Dussehra, also known as "Vijayadashmi" is one of the facinating festivals of India and is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm for ten continuous days. Dussehra, or the tenth day, as it literally means, marks the end of the nine days of Navaratri. The first nine nights are spent in the worship of Goddess Durga. This festival falls in the month of Aswin(Sep-Oct). The legend underlying the celebration, as also its mode of conduct, vary vastly by region:however, all festivities celebrate the vistory of the forces of Good over Evil.

STAMP 3: DEEPAVALI - Of the festivals of India, Diwali is one of the most significant, grand and auspicious occasions not only celebrated in India but other parts of the world too. 'Diwali' or "Deepavali" is a festival of lights. In sanskrit word Deepavali derives as -'Deep' meaning diya or light and 'Avali' meaning a row-a row of lamps. Diwali, celebrates the abundance of autumn harvest and is dedicated to various gods and godesses. The festival, according to legends, marks the home coming of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and his brother Laxman to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile. The tradition of lighting diyas and candles dates back to history when the people of Ayodhya lighted lamps through out the kingdom to welcome them. Diwali also celebrates the power of three goddesses, Lakshmi, Kali and saraswathi.