Hindu God Postage Stamps
Date of Issue : June 2, 2009
Desiger : Veena Chantanatat (Thailand Post Co., Ltd.)
Printer : Cartor Security Printing, France
The One Who Has Power Over Obstacles
The Creator
The Preserver
The Destroyer
Ganesa, which is another name for Ganesha, means the "God who has power over obstacles".
A son of Shiva and Uma, he has the face of an elephant and he was blessed by his father so as to have the power to dispel all obstacles. Offerings must be made to Ganesha before any other gods.
Brahma, according to Brahmin Doctrine, is believed to the Creator of all things on earth. The Musnapurana Legend states that he divided himself into two parts one being a male figure, which was Brahma himself and the other in a female form, named Sraswadee, who served as his consort. They helped each other in creating deities, humans, animals, demons and plants.
Narayana, also known to the Thais as Phra Narai, is responsible for preserving things in their appropriate condition. His preserving things in their appropriate condition. His work is continual so as to create peace and harmony in the world. Narai has ten incarnated lives on earth.
Siva, generally known as Phra Issuan to the Thais, has the duty of destroying all evil things on earth. This god has three eyes and a white complexion. According to traditional Thai belief, Shiva will pay an annual 10 day visit to the earth. This visit will start on the seventh night of the waning moon in the first lunar month and end on the first night of the waning moon in the same month. During the visit, a Brahmin ceremony, know as the Tri Yumpawai, will be organized to welcome the God.
credit : Thai Stamp Bulletin, Vol. 2009, issue 2
