Bhaskara Sethupathy

December 27, 2004

A commemorative postage stamp on Bhaskara Sethupathi, Raja of Ramnad, instrumental in Swami Vivekananda attending World Religion Conference in Chicago, USA :

Issued by India

Issued on Dec 27, 2004

Issued for : The Department of Posts honours the memory of King Bhaskara Sethupathy through the issue of the commemorative postage stamp.

Credits :
Stamp : India Security Press, Nasik
FDC & Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multicolor

Denomination : 500 Paise

Print Quantity : 0.6 Million

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press, Nashik

Name : Hiranyagarbhayaji Ravikula Muthuvijaya Raghunatha Bhaskara

Born on Nov 3, 1868

Died on Dec 27, 1903

About :

The title ‘Sethupathy‘, carried by the rulers of Ramanathapuram, means protectors and caretakers of the passage across the sea from Rameshwaram to Sri Lanka, built as per the legend, by Lord Rama, and of the Ramlinga Idol. They considered themselves not only the rulers of the State of Ramanathapuram, but also the caretakers of the holy temple in Rameshwaram.
It was in this illustrious dynasty that Bhaskara Sethupathy was born on 3^rd November 1868, as the first son of the King Muthu Ramalinga Sethupathy II and Muthathal Naachiyar. He was educated in Madras through both Indian and English systems of education.
On the 3^rd of April, 1889, he took over as the Head of the Ramanathapuram State. Bhaskara Sethupathy implemented welfare schemes for the common people and also patronized fine arts. He facilitated the entry of Harijans into the temples and stopped the custom of animal sacrifice in the Rajarajeshwari Temple with the help of Jagatguru Sringeri Sankaracharya Swamigal. He donated more than 40 lakhs of rupees for religious, educational and public welfare schemes between 1890 to 1893.
King Bhaskara Sethupathy was instrumental in Swami Vivekananda attending the World Religion Conference held in Chicago (USA) in 1893 and made necessary arrangements for his visit and stay in the United States of America (USA). On 23^rd January 1897, he arranged for a rousing reception for Swami Vivekananda upon his return from the World Religion Conference, and later, also constructed a monument in the place where swamiji landed and inscribed the holy words ‘Satyameva Jayate‘ on it in the year 1897. In appreciation of the services rendered by King Bhaskara Sethupathy, Swami Vivekananda conferred the title ‘Raaja Rishi‘ (Ascetic King) on him. As an erudite Tamil scholar, he wrote some books in Tamil and also helped his cousin Pandithurai Thevar towards organizing the ‘Fourth Tamil Sangam‘.
The demise of Swami Vivekananda affected him deeply and he went to lead an ascetic life in the ‘Mutt‘ on the banks of Tamirbarani in Kallidaikuruchi, where he spent his time in meditation.
Bhaskara Sethupathy breathed his last on the 27^th of December, 1903. Though he lived in this world only for 35 years, he made a lasting impact in the socio-cultural canvas during his short life span.
Text : Based on material received from proponent.