Veer Meghmaya

December 31, 2024

A commemorative postage stamp on Vir Meghmaya, a saint from Western India :

Issued by India

Issued on Dec 31, 2024

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Veer Meghmaya and salutes his sacrifice for the welfare of the depressed and vulnerable.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Shri Brahm Prakash

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 201600

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About :

The heritage of India is filled with stories of saints who sacrificed their lives for the benefit of people. These saints gave a new direction and hope to the people through their philosophy and action. One such saint from western India is Veer Meghmaya.
Saint Veer Meghmaya lived around 1000 years ago. At that time, the historical capital of Gujarat was Anhilpur Patan. There was the rule of king Siddhraj Jai Singh Solanki.
At that time, people were longing for water due to famine for many years. The then king, who was a devotee of lord Shiva, got the “Sahastralinga Sarovar” constructed. To pay tribute to the power of lord Shiva, 1008 Shiva temples were also built around the lake with the Shivling.
Despite the constriction of the lake, water remained a challenge for the people. On asking the pundits/astrologers, it was told that the water did not come due to the curse of the king. It was told that the remedy would be, if a man with thirty-two qualities, sacrifices himself in the lake. Such a man with thirty two signs was “Veer Meghmaya” who was born in a Dalit Vankar family, near Dholka, in Ranoda village.
Saint Veer Meghmaya voluntarily accepted the sacrifice for the welfare of the people. At that time untouchability was at its peak. He appealed to the king for social justice, for the depressed classes of the area, which was accepted. With this single act of sacrifice, the life of millions of untouchables got transformed. The sacrifices of Veer Meghmaya is always remembered as the great cause of establishing human rights and redemption of the depressed classes.
In modern times, Veer Meghmaya is seen as a liberator of depressed and vulnerable. The government of Gujarat is developing his birth place as millions gather here to pay homage to Veer Meghmaya. With the development of memorial, research centre, library, primary health centre and renovation of temple, the devotees will be greatly benefitted.
Text : Based on information provided by the proponent.