Canada Post celebrates Diwali with Oct. 14 stamp

By David Hartwig

Canada Post commemorates the multiday celebration of Diwali with a stamp issued Oct. 14.

The nondenominated permanent-rate (currently 99¢) stamp shows three hands representing those of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity, who Canada Post says is usually depicted with four hands. On the stamp one hand drops coins, one holds a lotus flower and one holds a small clay lamp called a diya.

Vertical text running down the right side of the stamp says “Diwali” in both Latin and Devanagari text. The bottom right corner has a “P” inside a symbolic maple leaf in place of the denomination, indicating that the stamp pays the permanent rate.

This is the first stamp from Canada Post to feature a new soft-touch matte finish, Canada Post said, and certain elements of the design have a high-gloss spot varnish.

Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is a five-day festival that begins Nov. 1 this year. Diwali is observed by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and other communities around the world.

Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word “dipavali,” which means “a row of lights; nocturnal illumination.” Lakshmi Puja, celebrated during Diwali, honors the goddess Lakshmi.

People clean and decorate their homes, light diyas, and perform rituals to welcome her. Special offerings, feasts and gift exchanges are central to the occasion, with families gathering to enjoy fireworks and festivities.

This marks the sixth Diwali stamp issued by Canada Post. The first Diwali stamps from Canada Post were issued Sept. 21, 2017 (Scott 3023-3025), in a joint issue with India (2961-2962). These were followed by a Diwali stamp in 2020 (3251), 2021 (3304), 2022 (3354) and 2023 (3410).

Rahul Bhogal of Nothing Design Studio designed the stamps using an illustration from the design studio Humble Raja. Lowe-Martin printed the stamp in 60,000 booklets of six.

Canada Post also offers an official first-day cover, canceled in Moncton, New Brunswick, and printed in a run of 4,000. The postmark shows the same Hindi translation of “Diwali” that appears on the stamp.

The stamp booklet (Canada Post product number 414266111) and FDC (414266131) are available from Canada Post, and by mail order from Canada Post Customer Service, Box 90022, 2701 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, ON K1V 1J8 Canada; or by telephone from the United States or Canada at 800-565-4362, and from other countries at 902-863-6550.

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