2016-04-15 Fri

The ninth day of the month ‘Chaitra’ is one of the most auspicious days for the Hindus. Known as Ram Navami, this day is celebrated as the birthday of Shri Rama.

Shri Ram - The 7th incarnation of Lord Vishnu was born in Ayodhya. The day of his birth is celebrated as Ram Navami on the ninth day of Hindu month of Chaitra which marks the end of Chaitra Navaratri or Vasant Navaratri.

This man of Principles was worshipped in almost all the South – East Asian countries. With the spread of Indian thoughts and culture, Indian deities were adopted and assimilated into the existing culture of these countries.

That is why scenes from Ramayana appear in the artworks of most of the South East Asian countries. Ramayana also appears on many philatelic issues of these countries. Nepal issued a stamp in 1961 on the occasion of Ram Navami. This stamp of INR 0.15 depicts Ram and Sita.

In India, however, there is no special stamp issued on the theme of Ramayana but Ram, along with Sita and Lakshman appears on a 20 paisa stamp issued to commemorate Rishi Valmiki who composed the Epic Ramayana.

Besides, Ramayana as a theme is featured on the stamps of Laos, Indonesia, Thailand as well as Czechoslovakia on which scenes from Ramayana are depicted.