Special Postal Cover on ’Rosario Cathedral’

Special Postal Cover on ’Rosario Cathedral’

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Nov 27, 2018: Philatelists in and around Mangaluru will be glad to note, that a new collectors item is available as a "Special Cover" and ornamental cancellation,  made up of  the ’Rosary year’ emblem;  India Post, at a symbolic church celebration released the same recently, a stamp was  not issued. The attractive cover has a splendid picture of the ’Holy Rosary Cathedral’  historical land mark of the city whose history goes back 450 years (1568-2018). 

However, it must be made very clear that this Cathedral as such,  as it is seen in the present form exists from 1915. A church has existed in this very same spot after the British established it’s trading base from 1800 AD and ear marked this spot for the Catholic Church.  Until 1784, the first ’Rosario Church’ was set up by the Portuguese, not far from the South West corner of the Mangaladevi Temple from which ’Mangaluru’ derives it’s name. The special cover can be purchased for Rs.20/= at the philatelic counter at the Head Post Office in Pandeshwar.

Brief History: The Portuguese landed at Mangalore in 1568 AD, after earlier attempts, they built Fort  St Sebastiao (Sabastian), and  also a chapel in it, later it became known as "Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church".  A worn  17th century Portuguese stone emblem  is now at the entrance of the Cathedral here. The Cathedral now stands where the early 1813 church stood. On April 16, 1850,  the church was raised to the status of a Cathedral by Bishop Ephrem. It was in 1915 that Jesuit priests completed the present domed magnificent edifice. The structure consists of a series of matching arches. It still remains the official seat of the Bishop of Mangalore. - I J S Shet.