Mahapex 2016 : Special covers released

A) Special Cover on Pandav Leni – 16th January 2016

Pandu Leni (also known as Trirashmi Caves and other variations) are a group of 24 caves carved between the 3rd century BC and the 2nd century AD, representing the Hinayana Buddhist caves. These caves have nothing to do with the Pandavas of Mahabharata. Leni is Marathi word for caves. The location of the caves is a holy Buddhist site and is located about 8 km south of Nashik in Maharashtra State.

The most important caves in this group are No. 18 and 20. Except cave No. 18 the remaining caves are Viharas or monasteries excavated in CIRCA 2nd Century A.D. Cave No. 3 was excavated at the orders of the Mother of the famous Satvahana King Gautamiputra Satkarni, who held sway over a large part of the Deccan in the 2nd Century A.D. In cave No. 10 there is an inscription regarding the donations made by Ushadatta, the son - in - law of Kshatrapa Nahapana (CIRCA 120 A.D.). Similarly cave No. 17 contains an inscription stating that a "Yavana" (the Greek) named Indragnidatta and his son Dharmarakshit excavated this vihara with a shrine and the cisterns. Cave No. 18 is the oldest and also the most important, being the chaitya - the hall of congregation. According to the inscription engraved on the 5th and 6th pillars, this chaitya was excavated by Bhattapalika, wife of the Royal Officer Aghetyana and daughter of the Royal Officer Arahataya. Another inscription under the horse shoe arch of the entrance records the gift of a village by the inhabitants of the Nashik for the upkeep of the chaitya. Cave No. 20, first taken by an Ascetic name Bhopaki was completed by Vasu, the wife of Mahasenapati Bhavagopa in the 7th year of the Satvahan King Gautamiputra Yajnashri Satkarni (CIRCA 166-198 A.D.)

Special Cover (MH/7/2016) on Pandav Leni was released at the inaugural function of Mahapex-2016 on 16th January 2016.

B) Special Cover on Late Smt. Kusumben Mehta – 16th January 2016.

Fortnightly meeting of Philatelic Society of India was organized at the venue in the afternoon. During the meeting a Special Cover on senior philatelist Late Smt. Kusumben Mehta was released. Late Kusumben Mehta was leading philatelist from India and wife of Senior Philatelist Shri Dhirubhai Mehta. She passed away on 6th October 2015 at Mumbai. Smt. Kusumben Mehta was a keen Philatelist and she was a life member of PCI, PSI and so many other Philatelic & Social organisations.

C) Special Cover on Kalaram Mandir – 17th January 2016.

The Kalaram Temple is an old Hindu shrine dedicated to Rama in the Panchavati area of Nashik city. The temple derives its name from the statue of Lord Rama that is black. The literal translation of kalaram means black Rama. The sanctum sanctorum also houses the statues of goddess Sita and God Lakshmana. Late Sardar Rangrao Odhekar, under the consultation with Late Sawaee Madhavrao Peshwa started the construction of the present temple in the year 1780. The Temple is unique example of the architect of the time. The main temple was completed by the year 1792 and thereafter the sabhamandapa, the stilt round the temple and the fencing by the year 1799. It is said that the expert masons brought the blocks of the black best quality stone from Ramshej Hills near Nashik, tested each block in boiling milk before using it in the work of construction. The main structure of the temple stands in the middle of a walled enclosure with 96 pillars and entrance on the east through an arched portal. The ‘Kalash’ is made of 32 tons of gold. Panchvati is the same place from where Ravana kidnapped Maa Sita and not far from here is the famous Anjaneri village where Lord Hanuman was born to Maa Anjana and Lord Kesari.

A Special Cover on famous Kalaram Mandir was released on 17th January 2016 during Mahapex – 2016.

D) Special Cover on City of Grapes – Nashik – 17th January 2016.

Nashik is in northern Maharashtra at 700 m from the mean sea level. The river Godavari originates 24 km from Brahmagiri Mountain, Tryambakeshwar, Nashik and flows along the northern boundary of the city through the old residential settlement. The soil of Nashik is primarily black which is favorable for agriculture. Nashik is famous for grapes, onions, and tomatoes. Nashik is famous for its table grapes and known as the Wine Capital of India. In early 1925, the table grape revolution was started in Ojhar, a small town near Nashik, by Mr. Raosaheb Jairam Krishna Gaikwad. Today, table grapes are exported to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

A Special Cover on City of Grapes – Nashik was released on 17th January 2016 during Mahapex – 2016.

E) Special Cover on Nashik Dhol – 18th January 2016.

Nashik has a rich and long cultural history. It features high reverence for religious, agricultural and industrial worth. Even not counting these, Nasik has contributed greatly to the art and entertainment in India. Nashik Dhol is a special form of rhythmic music played with the big drums or locally known as dhols. It is a musical instrument belonging to the Membranophone Category. It is popular all over Maharashtra for creating a rhythmic and exhilarating atmosphere and has become the cultural identity of Maharashtra's celebrations. All the public celebrations including weddings, Navratri, Ganpati Visarjan, rallies, college gatherings tend to be incomplete without Nashik Dhol. Nashik Dhol encompasses several other musical instruments like Tashas, Zanzars, electrical Bul-Bul or the recent version of it - electronic piano. Sometimes, an echo of Lazim makes Nasik Dhol an even more stunning magnum opus.

A Special Cover on Nashik Dhol was released after a great performance of Nashik Dhol band on 18th January 2016 at Mahapex 2016.

F) Special Cover on Dr. Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi – 18th January 2016.

Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi (b. 31 March 1865 – d. 26 February 1887) was one of the first South Asian female physicians and the first Indian female physician, to be trained in the tradition of Western medicine. She was India’s first lady to qualify as a doctor from the USA in 1886. She graduated with an M.D. on 11th March, 1886. She is also believed to be the first Hindu woman to set foot on American soil. Along with Kadambini Ganguly, she was one of the first two graduates from India. She was born as Yamuna, in Kalyan of the Thane district to an orthodox and wealthy Marathi Brahmin family. After marriage, her husband Gopalrao renamed her Anandi. Gopalrao worked as a postal clerk in Kalyan. She was appointed as 'the physician-in-charge' of the female ward of the local Albert Edward Hospital, Kolhapur. But it was unfortunate that Anadibai could not fulfill her dreams of providing her services to the women in India. She died at the early age of 22 on 26th February, 1887.

A Special Cover on Dr. Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi was released on 18th January 2016 at Nashik during Mahapex-2016.

Mahapex-2016 concluded on 18th January 2016. Exhibits in 400 frames were showcased in different classes. Exhibition was well attended by philatelist and local visitors as well as from Mumbai. Shri Dhananjay S. Desai and Shri P. K. Bisoi (Director, RAKNPA) served as Jury members. Shri Suketu S. Jhaveri and Ms. Simran Kaur (SSPO, Mumbai East Division) were Apprentice Jury at the Exhibition. 15 Gold, 20 Silver and 31 Bronze medals were awarded to the winners of competitive class of exhibition. Shri S. K. Sinha Member (Planning) Postal Services Board gave the prizes to the winners.