Munish Sood
Mandi

The town of Mandi, celebrated as the cultural nucleus of Himachal Pradesh, is commemorating its 500th anniversary. To honor this remarkable milestone, the district administration has organized a series of events coinciding with the International Shivratri Festival in 2026.

In collaboration with the Mandi District Administration, the Indian Postal Department has unveiled a commemorative Special Cover that showcases the town's rich heritage spanning five centuries.

This uniquely crafted cover illustrates Mandi’s historical evolution and features an official logo marking the 500-year celebration. The reverse side includes a brief description of the significance of this event, while the front showcases a Special Cancellation, specifically issued to celebrate this momentous year.

According to officials, this special cover will be distributed to philately bureaus nationwide. Stamp enthusiasts are likely to keep it as a prized collectible, and it will also be exhibited at philatelic shows, promoting Mandi’s cultural and historical significance on both national and international stages.

The cover was officially launched by the chief guest, Kuldeep Pathania, Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, alongside other esteemed guests.

During the event, Kanchan Singh Chauhan, Senior Superintendent of Post Offices for the Mandi Division, presented the special cover to the Speaker, with Sanjay Kumar, Assistant Superintendent of Posts, also in attendance.

The introduction of this special postal cover is viewed as a heartfelt tribute to Mandi’s rich legacy, symbolizing its heritage and identity as it celebrates its historic 500th year.