Philately meets heritage tourism in a spectacular tribute to India’s great warrior king!
India Post, in collaboration with IRCTC, released the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Circuit Special Cover—a one-of-a-kind travelogue in philately.
Honouring a Hero: Shivaji Maharaj Through Philately
To mark the inaugural run of the Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train from June 9 to 14, 2025, a stunning philatelic tribute was unveiled—celebrating the spirit of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his legendary forts.
The special cover along with a brochure containing six cancellations across five iconic destinations, is more than a collector’s item—it’s a journey through Maratha valor.
📍 The Circuit: Five Forts, One Legacy
The cover traces the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Circuit, a specially curated route with rich historical significance:
Raigad Fort – The capital of the Maratha empire
Shivsrushti – A tribute site to Shivaji’s life and achievements
Shivneri Fort – His birthplace
Pratapgad Fort – Site of the historic battle with Afzal Khan
Panhala Fort – Known for its strategic brilliance
Each location is represented with a postage stamp, cancelled with a unique date stamp as the train made its stop—turning the cover into a moving travelogue.
The Grand Release
The special cancellation and travelogue cover were officially released at Mumbai GPO.
Shri Amitabh Singh, Chief Postmaster General of Maharashtra Postal Circle, led the unveiling.
The first album was ceremoniously handed over to Maharashtra CM Shri Devendra Fadnavis.
Also present were:
Adv. Rahul Narwekar, Speaker, Maharashtra Assembly
Adv. Ashish Shelar, Minister of IT and Cultural Affairs
Senior officials from Indian Railways and Maharashtra Government
💌 Collector’s Note
This Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Circuit Special Cover is a standout collectible for three reasons:
- Six cancellations on a single brochure — difficult to find in Indian philately
- Cultural storytelling through stamps and date markings
- Official release tied to a historic tourism train run
It brings together travel, history, and philately like never before.
Closing Thoughts
From fort to fort, cancellation to cancellation, this special cover beautifully narrates the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Priced at ₹305 per cover, it’s a premium collectible that merges travel with heritage.
While the cover is truly unique, a small detail stood out—
The back side bears a pictorial cancellation of Mumbai GPO instead of a regular delivery mark.
Still, for collectors and history lovers, it remains a prized addition.
Stay tuned for more such philatelic stories.
Till then, keep collecting, keep exploring!
Source: Maharashtra Postal Circle and India Post (Twitter)
