Indore, Feb 3 (PTI) – A fascinating collection of rare stamps and special postal covers, featuring two of India's grandest religious gatherings—the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj and the Simhastha Mela of Ujjain—has been meticulously preserved by two passionate philatelists from Indore.
Among their prized possessions is a special postal cover from the 1977 Maha Kumbh held in Prayagraj and a century-old "bazaar postcard" from the 1906 Maha Kumbh, a rare relic from the pre-independence era.
A Lifelong Passion for Collecting Religious Philatelic Memorabilia
Omprakash Kedia (73), an ardent philatelist, has nurtured a deep fascination for the Maha Kumbh since childhood, attending the grand fair in Prayagraj numerous times. His passion for the event led him to start collecting postage stamps and special covers dedicated to it."Since very few postage stamps and covers have been issued for the Maha Kumbh and Simhastha fairs, finding them is extremely challenging," Kedia told PTI on Monday. Among his most valuable items is the special cover from the 1977 Maha Kumbh, which he acquired from an exhibition.
Similarly, fellow collector Alok Khadiwala (53) has amassed an impressive collection of postage stamps and covers from past Maha Kumbh and Simhastha fairs. His most treasured piece is the rare 1906 "bazaar card" from Prayagraj.
"Before India's independence, bazaar cards were commonly used as letters," Khadiwala explained. His relentless pursuit of these philatelic gems even led him to sift through discarded paper stacks with the help of junk dealers from various locations.
Expanding the Collection Beyond Stamps
Beyond stamps and postal covers, Kedia and Khadiwala's collections include ancient coins that were once bought by devotees as souvenirs at various pilgrimage sites across the country.The ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, which began on January 13, is set to continue until February 26. Meanwhile, the next Simhastha Mela is scheduled to take place in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, in 2028. These sacred fairs, held every 12 years, remain significant cultural and spiritual milestones in Hindu tradition.
