2019-10-07 Mon

Pandit Samanta Chandra Sekhar Harichandan Mohapatra, widely known as "Pathani Samanta", was an eminent naked eye astronomer and scholar.

Samanta was born on 13th December 1835 in the princely state of Khandapada, Odisha. He studied in Sanskrit and researched traditional Indian astronomy. He measured the distance from earth with a bamboo pipe and many other traditional instruments that he built.

Due to his immense contribution towards the field of astronomy, Pathani Samanta was conferred with the title of ‘Mahamahoadhyaya’ by the British government in the year 1893. His book ‘Siddhanta Darpana’, written in Sanskrit was appreciated all over the country and won him wide acclaims and fame.

The Department of Post has issued a 300 Paise commemorative postage stamps to honor this genius who revived traditional Indian Astronomy. The stamp design includes Gola Yantra, an instrument used by Chandra Shekhar for measuring planetary positions.

Visit philamart to view and purchase variety of stamps from all over the world.