India Post releases special cover on 'Nalambala Darshanam'

Thrissur (Kerala), Jul 17 (PTI) India Post's central region on Friday released a special cover on the theme of 'Nalambala Darshanam' to mark the first day of the Malayalam month of Karkkidakam at Irinjalakuda here, officials said. Nalambala Darshanam is a pilgrimage undertaken by devotees during the Malayalam month Karikidakam, visiting temples of Lord Rama and three brothers- Bharata, Lakshmana, and Shatrughna. A government press release said that the special cover, along with a philatelic passport, was released by Postmaster General, Central Region, T Nirmaladevi at a function held at the Lions Club in Irinjalakuda. The special cover was carried by Irinjalakuda Postmaster Sabareesh C C through the four temples of the traditional Nalambala pilgrimage in the sequence of Thriprayar, Koodalmanikyam, Moozhikulam and Payammal, the statement said. The philatelic passport received exclusive pictorial cancellations at the Valappad, Irinjalakuda, Kurumassery and Aripalam post offices. The function was inaugurated by Irinjalakuda Municipal Chairman M P Jackson in the presence of Irinjalakuda Division Superintendent of Post Offices Lolita M Antony, representatives of the Cochin Devaswom Board, Koodalmanikyam and Payammal Devaswoms, local body representatives and members of the public. On the occasion, India Post also conducted citizen-centric outreach programmes under the Irinjalakuda Postal Division, officials said. Three wards of the Irinjalakuda Municipality, Poomangalam grama panchayat and Valappad grama panchayat were declared Sampoorna Sukanya Samriddhi Account Wards, while three wards were declared Sampoorna Bima Wards in recognition of the successful coverage of the social security schemes, the statement said. According to India Post, the initiative aims to promote India's cultural heritage through philately while strengthening financial inclusion and citizen-centric services. PTI TBA TBA ROH