Maharshi Dadhichi

March 26, 1988

A commemorative postage stamp on Maharshi Dadhichi, a great Hindu Rishi of ancient times :

Issued by India

Issued on Mar 26, 1988

Description of Designs : The stamp is designed by India Security Press. The first day cover is designed by Shri Sankha Samantha and cancellation by Smt. Nenu Gupta.

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Single colour

Denomination : 60 Paise

Overall size : 3.91 x 2.90 cms.

Printing size : 3.55 x 2.54 cms.

Perforation : 13 x 13

Paper : Indigenous un watermarked P.G. Matt coated stamp paper

Number printed : 10,00,000

Number per issue sheet : 35

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press

About :

Maharshi Dadhichi is one of the ancient saints of Vedic times. The Rigveda, said to have been compiled in about 5000 B.C., describes Dadhichi, the son of Atharva Angiras, as the saint who taught men how to kindle fire. It was said that he first brought fire to the earth.
The Maharshi is also described in the Veda as having conferred his bones on Indra, the king of gods, to destroy the demon Vritra. The Puranas describe this event in detail. It is said that when all the weapons of Indra failed to destroy the demon Vritra he approached Maharshi Dadhichi, on the advice of Lord Vishnu, and requested for the Maharshi‘s bones to fabricate a weapon to destroy the demon. The weapon was the legendary Vajra. The Maharshi readily sacrificed his life for which he is remembered with deep reverence all over India.
The Rigveda has also described Maharshi Dadhichi as the destroyer of many superstitions and a leader who showed a new path.
The Puranas say that the Ashram (hermitage) of Dadhichi was in Naimisharanya which was located near Sitapur District of U.P. The saint was so popular that the people of Gujarat said his hermitage was on the bank of river Sabarmati, while Maharashtrians locate it near Nasik. Possibly the Maharshi travelled widely and resided at several places in the country as he was a social reformer. Mahatma Gandhi named one of the main gates after the Maharshi when the session of the National Congress was held at Ahmedabad, which is on the banks of the Sabarmati.
Material for text and designs, courtesy: Akhil Bharatiya Dadhichi Brahman Mahasabha, Jaipur.