2025-04-10 Thu

During the 2nd Anniversary of Independence (15 Aug 1949), #IndiaPost issued a new series of 19 Postage stamps featuring paintings, sculptures and monuments of Archaeological importance.

The first stamp in the series features a painting of an Elephant surrounded by Lotus flowers, with a face value of 3 pies, from the Ajanta Panel of Cave No. 1. AjantaCaves, located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly known as Aurangabad) Maharashtra, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its murals.

In Buddhism, the White Elephant and Lotus are of great importance. According to Buddhist literature, Queen Maya dreams of a Bodhisattva entering her womb in the form of a White Elephant, indicating the arrival of  GautamBuddha. The White Elephant also represents strength and commitment. On the other hand, a lotus, often associated with #Buddha and Bodhisattvas, symbolizes purity.