I like campaigns like this, even if I doubt of their immediate effect. If, however, are sufficiently numerous and well supported, can form a current of opinion, even a mentality, which isn't such a small thing. I haven't planted any tree (it would be difficult and useless now, given that in Romania is winter and the temperature began to drop below zero at night), but I promise to do it in the springtime. Thanks, Swaminathan.
I thought that the temple in the image of the top wasn't chosen at random, so I searched and finally I found it: is the Shore Temple, the earliest important structural stone temples of South India, built in 8th century on a promontory sticking out into the Bay of Bengal, at Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram), a village south of Chennai (ex-Madras). It's part of the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, which contains nearly forty monuments of different types, inspired by the Pallava Art, and has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
The temple is a combination of three shrines, two of them dedicated to Shiva, and the third, smallest one, to Vaishnava, a recicling Vishnu. In the image can be seen the two shikharas, with a pyramidal outline, each individual tier being distinct with overhanging eaves that cast dark shadows. The exterior wall of the shrine to Vishnu and the internal side of the boundary wall are elaborately carved and sculptured. Some believe that this area served as a school for young sculptors. The different sculptures, some half finished, may have been examples of different styles of architecture.
Recent excavations have revealed new structures under the sand. The temple was reconstructed stone by stone from the sea after being washed away in a cyclone.
About the stamps
Regarding the stamps, hardly it may choose a more representative combination for India. The first on the left is one of the two which form the set issued by India Post on May 25 to commemorate the 2nd Africa-India Forum Summit, which held in 2011. The stamps, with values of 500p (the one on the postcard) and 2500p, depict the African and Asian Elephants.
The second stamp is part of a series dedicated to Rashtrapati Bhavan, about which I wrote here.
The third (actually two identical stamps, on the bottom) shows Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948), the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement, also called Mahatma (Great Soul) or Bapu (Father). The stamp is part of the definitive set Builders of Modern India, which is presented here, indicating all the values that I have them.
sender: Swaminathan (direct swap)
Thanks for the appreciations. I strive, because I like to do that. :)
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