Pictorial Postmark - Visakhapatnam Shipyard

Date of Issue: September 30, 1975

The above is a special cover issued to commemorate introduction of permanent pictorial postmark in Visakhapatnam, a major sea port on the south east coast of India, in the state of Andhra Pradesh; and is also the headquarters to the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy. The description on the reverse of the cover states, the cover illustration and postmark shows an ancient marine craft from the legend of Buddha.

However, in 2005 Indonesia Post issued a set of two postage stamps, one of which has the same design as above. So, it is evident that the design is from a relief on the walls of Borobudur Temple, Indonesia - a 9th Century Mahayana Buddhist monument.

Click here to see the Indonesian stamp with details.

Anyone have an idea why this design is chosen for as a pictorial postmark for Visakhapatnam? Is it because Visakhapatnam is surrounded by ancient Buddhist sites dating back to 5th Century?