Munish Sood
Mandi
The historic town of Mandi, widely regarded as the cultural heart of Himachal Pradesh, has entered the 500th year of its establishment. To mark this significant milestone, the district administration is commemorating the occasion through a series of special events during the International Shivratri Festival 2026.
As part of these celebrations, the Indian Postal Department, in association with the Mandi District Administration, released a commemorative Special Cover highlighting the town’s rich five-century-old heritage.
The specially designed cover features visual reflections of Mandi’s historical journey along with an official logo signifying the completion of 500 years. The reverse side carries a brief note on the importance of the occasion, while the front bears a Special Cancellation, issued exclusively to honour this landmark year.
Officials stated that the special cover will be circulated to philately bureaus across the country. Stamp collectors are expected to preserve it as a valuable collectible, and it will also be displayed at philatelic exhibitions, helping promote Mandi’s cultural and historical legacy on national and international platforms.
The commemorative cover was formally unveiled by the chief guest, Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Kuldeep Pathania, in the presence of other distinguished dignitaries.
On the occasion, Kanchan Singh Chauhan, Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Mandi Division, presented the special cover to the Speaker. Sanjay Kumar, Assistant Superintendent of Posts, Mandi Division, was also present during the ceremony.
The release of this special postal cover is being seen as a meaningful tribute to Mandi’s enduring legacy, serving as a lasting symbol of its heritage and identity as it steps into its historic 500th year.
