142. Sojat Mehndi

Sojat Mehndi originates from mehndi leaves grown in Sojat, and some areas of Marwar Junction, Jaitaran and Raipur villages of Pali District in Rajasthan. Sojat mehndi is hundred percent naturally cultivated by rain water for getting high lawsone content in mehndi leaves.

Mehndi (Hindi Name) is the leaf of a small shrub of the mehndi plant. Botanical classification of the mehndi plant is as given below

Kingdom   : Plantae

Phylum     : Magnoliphyta.

Class        : Magnoliopsida.

Order        : Myrtales

Family      : Lythraceas

Genus      : Lawsonia

Species    : inermis-L

Image source from Internet

Mehndi plant is having a light green colour. Mehndi plant falls under the category of a Perennial Crop. Due to which once mehndi plant sown, it lasts for years. Further, mehndi plants are considered as a Kharif Season Crop. 

As the mehndi plants are rainfed based Crop for initial growth of the plant in initial year. From consequent year onwards, one-two rains are optimal for the growth of healthy leaves on mehndi plant.  After the harvesting leaves of the mehndi plant are dried and powdered. Mehndi powder quality is determined by its colour, purity, its dyeing property and fineness. 

Mehndi is possibly the oldest cosmetic in use. It is commonly used as cosmetic for dyeing hair and palms or feet, has been one of the important plants since ancient times and has been in use for it aromatic and medicinal properties. 

The mehndi leaves gets the best colouring matter when their growth occurs with natural rainwater. In Sojat, mehndi is grown only through natural rain water for getting maximum lawsone content. 

As the Sojat mehndi leaves are thick and small in size. These characteristic helps mehndi leaves to gain the lawsone content. Sojat Mehndi imparts rich dark reddish stains on hands and feet and also acts as a good natural conditioner for hair.

The high lawsone content of Sojat Mehndi leads to following benefits: 

• Deep rich dark reddish color. 

• Acts as a good natural conditioner for hair that is liked by users or consumers. 

• Distinct aroma and reddish color to the Sojat Mehndi. 

• Quality of the Sojat Mehndi remains unchanged. 

• Sojat Mehndi can be stored for longer period of time with no harm

Sojat mehndi is available as Mehndi Powder, Mehndi Cones, Mehndi Hair Colours, Herbal Mehndi Powder. By drying mehndi leaves, fragrant oil is also extracted. The leaves of mehndi plant, bark, seeds and root are taken for medicinal use.

GI Tag Registration Date         : 14 September 2021

GI Tag Number                         : 628

Certificate Number                  : 372

Geographical Area                  : Rajasthan

Special Cover Release Date   : 06 October 2016

Cancellation                             : Pali 205 407

Type                                          : Special Cover

1000 Number Covers are printed

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085. Pokaran Pottery

Pokaran Pottery a traditional terracotta pottery known for its unique and distinctive aura is made from village of Pokaran near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The clay here is sturdy, pinkish in colour unlike the deep red clay that is generally used for making pottery elsewhere. The pinkish colour gives a dreamy, exquisite and fairy tale like delicate look to products made by the Pokhran potters.

In Pokaran Pottery the village kumbhar (potter) produces simple household items, whereas the kashigar (skilled potter) makes more artistic varieties. Earlier the potters of Pokaran used to make household products like matka, kulhars and with passage of time and expertise they moved to decorative items like vases, toys, pen stands etc

Some of the products include Magic lamps, Clay scrubber for body, Lamps that float in water, Diwali lamps, Decorative pots, wall hanging pots and animal shapes like fish, tortoise, snail, elephant, giraffe, horse, camel, pig, bull, owl, duck etc.

The soil is brought from an area 5 kms away called Rind. In this area rain water gets collected as a result of which the soil takes a particular viscosity, ideal for the pottery. Hence, it is the particular climate and soil of the area which differentiates Pottery of Pokaran and makes it unique.

The clay in Pokaran is very fine in texture. Once fired, the products become very tough and last for years. Some of the ancient Pokaran Pottery grain silos are over 100 years old said to be lasting for over three generations and are still in use.

Clay, dung cakes, grass straw, coal, firewood and ash are the main raw materials for making this Pottery. Appropriate quantity of water is poured and the hard soil is beaten by hand to prepare the clay dough. Once the clay dough is made it is placed on the chok or potter's wheel and spun. As the wheel spins around, the potter uses his hands to shape the clay into pot or any other product. 

After it is shaped into the required form, finer detailing and designing is done by the nimble fingers of the craft person or fine small tools. Once a number of products are made, then they are put in the kiln for firing. 

A large pit is dug and Ash is put as the first layer. Over that cow dung cakes, firewood and other available inflammable items are put as the second layer. Pieces of broken & discarded earthen vessels/pots are put as the third layer, which acts as the support to the raw pottery products that are made. 

Once the raw products are placed, these are again covered by a layer of broken pieces of earthen vessels and another layer of ash and finally some water is sprinkled to add some moisture. Once the kiln is prepared, it is lit. The kiln is left burning for one entire day and then it is allowed to cool down the next day. On the third day products are removed from the kiln. 

Firing turns the products from off-white to reddish and gives strength to last for years. After cleaning the ash from the products, the final product is ready.

GI Tag Registration Date         : 28 March 2018

GI Tag Number                         : 519

Certificate Number                  : 307

Geographical Area                  : Rajasthan

Special Cover Release Date   : 18 August 2021

Cancellation                             : Jaipur 302 001

Type                                          : GI Tag Cover

This cover is issued with 7 other covers as a Presentation Pack titled "Special Cover & Cancellation - Geographical Indications of Rajasthan" priced at Rs. 100 per pack. Total quantity issued 2500 Nos.

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Enlarged View of Cancellation

Back Side Scan of Cover

India post has issued a picture post card on Pokaran Pottery. Details are furnished below

Picture Post Card Issued on 16 October 2021 
Rajasthan Postal Circle

Back Side depicting Cancellation at Jaipur - 302001 on 16 October 2021

084. Makrana Marble

Makrana Marble is calcitic marble which are being quarried for centuries from the Makrana and Parbatsar Tehsils (Makrana Region) of Nagaur District, Rajasthan. It is considered as one of the best marble.

Makrana Marble retains its shine which also increases during its life. This is because the calcium carbonate content in it is more than 98% and the presence of impurities are less than 2%. According to the presence of impurities, the colour of Makrana Marble varies from pure shades of white to white with grey / pink shades across. 

Some of the ancient monuments built from this stone stands testimony to its quality, such as the Taj Mahal, Agra built in 17th Century during Mughal period and  Victoria Memorial, Kolkata built between 1906 to 1921 during the British rule.

Makrana marble is usually medium to coarse grained marble stone, but chemically little higher in silica and illumine as compared to other marbles of the world. The presence of impurities is also low. It contains about 98% of Calcium Carbonate, which is responsible for its shine. 

Upon mining, Makrana marble is not subjected to any form of treatment, but used in cutting and chiseling straight away.

Makrana Marble’s grains are closely interlocked which makes it resistant to weathering. It is less porous and with less impurities, which enables it to maintain its white surface colour over many decades. Its translucence gives it delicate softness. These qualities make Makrana Marble unique when compared to any other marble in the world.

GI Tag Registration Date         : 30 March 2015

GI Tag Number                         : 405

Certificate Number                  : 233

Geographical Area                  : Rajasthan

Special Cover Release Date   : 18 August 2021

Cancellation                             : Jaipur 302 001

Type                                          : GI Tag Cover

This cover is issued with 7 other covers as a Presentation Pack titled "Special Cover & Cancellation - Geographical Indications of Rajasthan" priced at Rs. 100 per pack. Total quantity issued 2500 Nos.

Enlarged View of Illustration

Enlarged View of Cancellation
Cancellation depicts Taj Mahal built with Makrana Marble

Back Side Scan of Cover

India post has issued a picture post card on Makrana Marble. Details are furnished below

Picture Post Card Issued on 16 October 2021 
Rajasthan Postal Circle

Back Side depicting Cancellation at Jaipur - 302001 on 16 October 2021
Cancellation depicts Victoria Mahal built with Makrana Marble

083. Thewa Art Work

Thewa art work is a traditional craft of fusing 23-caret hand carved gold foil on coloured glass sheet practiced exclusively by Raj Soni clan of jewellers based in Pratapgarh, Rajasthan. The base material is of precious metals like Gold and Silver. However semi-precious metals like copper and alloys of copper with gold may also be used

The Thewa art work on the gold foil is done in three stages,  

• Kandarana (Gold foil is first carved on with a pointed object as an art work), 

• Cheerana (Decorating the carved figure with precious and semi-precious stones in artistic manner on the base frame)

• Jaali katana (Cutting the waste material by removing the not required gold foil portion). 

The gold foil/leaf at this stage is known as Thewa Ki Patti. The Thewa Ki Patti is now placed on the coloured glass base and heated on an open crucible for fusing the hand-carved gold foil into the glass base surface. 

The union of the gold foil with the glass sheet is done without using any kind of glue or pasting materials. The art of fusing the gold foil into the glass surface is a secret art limited only to the artisans of Raj Soni clan.

The background of the gold foil (Thewa ki patti) is usually made of basic colours red, green, yellow and blue glass sheets supported by same colour shiny paper placed inside the base.  

Nature, sight scenes like hunting, animals and birds, like dancing peacock, traditional Rajasthani and Gujarati drawings, Portraits of God, Goddess and members of Royal Families and the narrations, designs and stories register in the Maru Gujara paintings are used as drawings for carving out the gold foil.

Utensils like comb, hairband, coat button, photo frame and jewellery items like necklace, lockets, Ladies Shangar Box, Hair pin, Pendant, Earrings, Photo Frame, Tie Pin, Bracelets, Box, Cuffling, Comb, plates etc. can be made by using Thewa art. 

GI Tag Registration Date         : 31 March 2014

GI Tag Number                         : 244

Certificate Number                  : 210

Geographical Area                  : Rajasthan

Special Cover Release Date   : 18 August 2021

Cancellation                             : Jaipur 302 001

Type                                          : GI Tag Cover

This cover is issued with 7 other covers as a Presentation Pack titled "Special Cover & Cancellation - Geographical Indications of Rajasthan" priced at Rs. 100 per pack. Total quantity issued 2500 Nos.

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Enlarged View of Cancellation

Back Side Scan of Cover

India post has also issued a postage stamp on Thewa art

Postage Stamp on Thewa Art Work Issued on 15 November 2002 
Handicrafts of India 

India post has issued a picture post card on Thewa Art Work. Details are furnished below

Picture Post Card Issued on 16 October 2021 
Rajasthan Postal Circle

Back Side depicting Cancellation at Jaipur - 302001 on 16 October 2021

082. Bagru Hand Block Print

Bagru Hand Block Print is a traditional form of hand block printing that originated in Bagru, a small town in Rajasthan, India. The Bagru hand block printing technique involves the use of hand-carved wooden blocks that are dipped in natural dyes and stamped onto the fabric by skilled artisans.

Designs cut out on wooden blocks are transferred into textiles using two styles - direct printing and resist dye style (Dabu). In the Dabu hand block printing technique, mud is used as a resist in the dyeing process. Ingredients in the Dabu (mud) include mud from dried up lake beds, wheat powder, gum and lime, mixed and sieved through a fine muslin cloth and used as a base for block printing. 

The mud resist mixture is soaked overnight, and then, using wooden blocks, is printed on the fabric. Prior to drying the fabric in the sun, the mud (printed parts of the fabric) is covered with saw dust. As a final process the fabric is dipped in the dye and dried. Each fabric that is block printed goes through a wash 2-4 times. Designs then reveal themselves on the fabric, on the parts where the mud resist was applied. Some colour does penetrate through the mud, giving it a cracked batik-like appearance.

Bagru block printing is similar to that in Sanganer, where motifs carved out on wooden blocks, are printed directly with dyes on light colour fabric. However there are few key differentiators between Bagru and Sanganer block printing, which make each one of them unique.

The first difference is created by water. On one hand, water created darker prints on Sanganer fabrics, meanwhile, water brings out the reddish tone in Bagru prints. This difference is associated with scarcity of water in Bagru and excess availability of water in Sanganer.

Secondly, the key difference between the two is the Sanganer uses fine lines with sober colours and intricate detailing whereas Bagru print uses bold lines with bold motifs.

The last difference between the two is background. On one hand, Sanganer print is done on off – white or pure white background whereas the Bagru print uses blue or indigo background as the base for block printing.

Motifs of Bagru Prints are small in size and can be one or two of following five groups: 

• Motifs of Flowers, Leaves and Buds; 

• Motifs of Intertwisted Tendrils; 

• Motifs of Trellis Designs; 

• Motifs of Figurative Designs; 

• Motifs of Geometrical designs;

Bagru Hand Block Printed fabric is well known and distinct from other printed fabric due to its Black and Red colour combinations harmonized on the same piece.

The art of Bagru block printing has been passed down through generations of artisans, and it continues to be an essential part of the region's cultural heritage. The unique feature of Bagru printing is the use of natural dyes to create intricate designs that are both vibrant and durable.

GI Tag Registration Date         : 11 May 2011

GI Tag Number                         : 183

Certificate Number                  : 150

Geographical Area                  : Rajasthan

Special Cover Release Date   : 18 August 2021

Cancellation                             : Jaipur 302 001

Type                                          : GI Tag Cover

This cover is issued with 7 other covers as a Presentation Pack titled "Special Cover & Cancellation - Geographical Indications of Rajasthan" priced at Rs. 100 per pack. Total quantity issued 2500 Nos.

Enlarged View of Illustration

Enlarged View of Cancellation

Back Side Scan of Cover

India post has issued a picture post card on Bagru Hand Block Print. Details are furnished below

Picture Post Card Issued on 16 October 2021 
Rajasthan Postal Circle

Back Side depicting Cancellation at Jaipur - 302001 on 16 October 2021

081. Sanganer Hand Block Printing

Sanganer Hand Block Printing involves creation of intricate designs using a traditional block printing technique that originated in the village of Sanganer in Rajasthan. The base colour of Sanganer Hand Block Printing is white. 

Sanganer Hand Block Printing is done by using a Stamp or Wooden Block’s and by no other device. First, a design is drawn on paper, and then transferred to a wooden block. Turners locally known as Kharadiyes possess the skill of producing desired blocks by hand carving dried wood of plants like “shisham”, “gurjan”, “mango”, “teak” and “ardu”.

Sanganer Hand Block printing are known for their vibrant colours and intricate patterns. The design forms of the textile are known in terms of one or more of four terms i.e. Butis, Butas, Jhar and Border. The Motifs are generally based on natural forms mostly of flowers, petals, fruits or leaves of plants, geometric shapes, and other intricate patterns. 

The process of making Sanganer prints involves several steps. The Art and Skill for production of Sanganer Hand Block Printing is limited to a community known as Chhipas who have acquired this skill from their parents and grandparents through generations.

First the cloth is scoured and bleached, soaked overnight in water mixed with components like sesame oil and soda ash. In the morning, the cloth is rinsed then dried in the sun. This process is repeated for a week and increases the fibres ability to hold dye during the hand block printing process. This process is locally known as “Hari Sarana”

The cloth is then soaked in a ‘harda’ solution – a dry powder from the fruit of the myrobalan tree mixed in water- until the fabric gains a yellow hue after drying out (“Peela Karana”)

Next, the process of ‘block printing’ begins (“Chapai”). Traditionally, black dye is used first on the light cloth and the colour enters later in the process. 

Then ‘begar’ – a mixture of grounded natural salt, tree gum and geru, is  applied onto the design by the same process of wood block printing, and then the cloth is left to dry (“Sughai”). The printed fabric is washed in running water to remove excess mordants (“Dhulai”)

Once complete and washed the cloth is soaked again a copper dye basin known as a ‘tamda’. As the water in this basin is allowed to slowly heat it up, the raise in temperature causes the red dye to spread beautifully. (“Ghan Rangai”)

One unique aspect of Sanganer block printing is the use of natural dyes, including block painting with vegetables such as indigo, turmeric, and pomegranate. The natural dyes are made from plants and minerals through a process of soaking, boiling, and straining. 

Then the production process involves a process known as 'Tapai' or Sun Bleaching which is typical and unique in the production of Sanganer Hand Block Printing. The fabric is laid flat on a river bed for drying.

Then the clothes are washed in the river and dried. The white background (kharili zameen) that is traditional to Sanganer block prints goes through the one final procedure to bleach and brighten the printed design.

Sanganer Hand Block Printing Textiles are mostly on cotton cloths and sometimes on cotton x silk. A wide range of Made ups, Home furnishings and Garments are produced from Sanganer Hand Block Printing Cloth.

GI Tag Registration Date         : 19 March 2009

GI Tag Number                         : 147

Certificate Number                  : 119

Geographical Area                  : Rajasthan

Special Cover Release Date   : 18 August 2021

Cancellation                             : Jaipur 302 001

Type                                          : GI Tag Cover

This cover is issued with 7 other covers as a Presentation Pack titled "Special Cover & Cancellation - Geographical Indications of Rajasthan" priced at Rs. 100 per pack. Total quantity issued 2500 Nos.

Enlarged View of Cancellation

Enlarged View of Cancellation

Back Side Scan

There are few more special covers issued by India Post on Sanganer Hand Block Printing details of the same is furnished below. Not an exhaustive list but only items from my collection.

Special cover issued on 27th February 2009 cancelled at Jodhpur 342001 Rajpex 2009

Special cover issued on 4 January 2012. Cancelled at Jaipur 302001 Rajpex 2012.

This cover has a small replica of fabric with Sanganer Hand Block Printing

India post has issued a picture post card on Sanganer Hand Block Printing. Details are furnished below

Picture Post Card Issued on 16 October 2021 
Rajasthan Postal Circle

Back Side depicting Cancellation at Jaipur - 302001 on 16 October 2021

080. Bikaneri Bhujia

Bikaneri bhujia, often simply called bhujia, is a crispy snack originating from Bikaner, Rajasthan in India. Bikaneri Bhujia has the distinctive and naturally occurring organoleptic characteristics of taste, mouth feel and aroma which have won the patronage and recognition of consumers all over the world. 

Bikaneri Bhujia is manufactured by using traditional formula. Ingredients used to produce bhujia are Moth dal, Chana dal, Oil, Salt, red chilli, black pepper, cardamom, cloves etc. It is light yellow in colour or lemon yellow.

Moth dal flour, Chana dal flour ( mixed in proportion of 80:20), oil and powdered spices (masala including chili & salt) are mixed together with required quantity of water, which is called dough. This dough is mashed on a specific equipment called Jharra (strainer). This mashing is done on the fryers which is having oil of temperature 175 C-180 C. The completion of frying is judged by the colour of Bhujia. 

The origin of Bhujia industry in Bikaner dates back to Maharaja Shri Dungar Singh rule at Bikaner state circa 1877 AD. The item was manufactured as a special variety in the name of “DUNGARSHAHI BHUJIA” especially for the guests of the king. As time passed by the industry has emerged as a main livelihood of the inhabitants of the districts.

The main raw material for manufacturing bhujia is Moth, which is grown in the arid Zone of Rajasthan. Ground water of Bikaner has its particular characteristics with high hardness and salinity, which is a great benefit to the crispness of Bhujia and adds to its taste and flavour. Thus the peculiar climatic condition of Bikaner is bliss to the quality taste and flavors of Bhujia from Bikaner.

GI Tag Registration Date         : 28 May 2010

GI Tag Number                         : 142

Certificate Number                  : 121

Geographical Area                  : Rajasthan

Special Cover Release Date   : 18 August 2021

Cancellation                             : Jaipur 302 001

Type                                          : GI Tag Cover

This cover is issued with 7 other covers as a Presentation Pack titled "Special Cover & Cancellation - Geographical Indications of Rajasthan" priced at Rs. 100 per pack. Total quantity issued 2500 Nos.

Enlarged View of Illustration

Enlarged View of Cancellation

Ground Moth grown in Bikaner is depicted

Back Side Scan of Cover

India post has issued a picture post card on Bikaneri Bhujia. Details are furnished below

Picture Post Card Issued on 16 October 2021 
Rajasthan Postal Circle

Back Side depicting Cancellation at Jaipur - 302001 on 16 October 2021