Teja Ji Maharaj
Technical Data
| Stamp Set | Teja Ji Maharaj |
|---|---|
| Date of Issue | September 7, 2011 |
| Denomination | Rs. 5 |
| Quantity | 300,000 |
| Perforation | 13 |
| Printer | Security Printing Press, Hyderabad |
| Printing Process | Wet Offset |
| Watermark | No Watermark |
| Colors | Multicolor |
| Credit (Designed By) | Ms. Nenu Gupta |
| Catalog Codes |
Michel IN 2616 Stanley Gibbons IN 2833 WADP Numbering System - WNS IN040.2011 |
| Themes | Animals (Fauna) | Folklore | Gods and goddesses | Horses | Mammals |
Rajasthan is a land filled with fascinating folk-stories woven around heroic warriors. During an era when small clans ruled under local chieftains, there were constant conflicts among them. The chieftains of these clans were warriors, fiercely loyal to their subjects, ready to risk their lives, jealously guarding their honour and displaying rare courage in protecting the lives of the people. Their life was an Inspiration and they were revered by the people who worshiped them as folk-deities.
Veer Teja also known as Tejaji was one such folk-deity worshipped by some communities of people in Rajasthan and in parts of Madhya Pradesh. Tejaji was said to be born on 29th January 1074 to Chaudhary Tahar and Sml. Sugna of Khinal in Nagaur district in Rajasthan.
It was customary at that time for the chieftains, after the arrival of the first rain, to initiate the ploughing of fields. As Tejaji’s father and brother were out of the village, his mother asked him to Initiate the ploughing. While he was ploughing, his elder brother’s wife was late in bringing him his food, which irked Tejaji. She retorted by advising him to bring his wife from her maternal home at Paner.
Next day, he set out to bring his wife. Overcoming all the hardships on the way, he reached Paner in the evening. His mother-in-law was milking the cows that were disturbed by the commotion caused by his arrival. Unaware of Tejaji’s arrival, his mother-in-law cursed him which annoyed Tejaji who turned back. But his wife’s emissary Laccha Gurjari persuaded him to return to help seek her cattle which had been stolen by dacolts.
Tejaji dashed off and fought the dacoits bravely but was killed in the ensuing battle. Another legend however, says that while he was returning after successfully retrieving the cattle, he died due to snake bite as a consequence of the curse. The valour and good deeds of Tejaji made an everlasting Impression on his people who started worshipping him as a deity. A number of temples have been built to honour him in Rajasthan. He is also honoured by a large fair held in his memory.
India Post is happy to issue a commemorative postage stamp on Tejaji Maharaj.
First Day Cover
