Karnataka Postal Circle to roll out more Philately Passports in four districts including Bengaluru on October 10 and 11

If you are a travel enthusiast, biker, philatelist or someone looking to develop new hobbies, then October is the month for you. The Karnataka Postal Circle, under the Department of Posts, will launch a new set of Philately Passports in four districts, including Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru and Belagavi, on October 10 and 11 to mark National Postal Week.

Speaking to The Hindu, a senior official from the Karnataka Postal Circle said, “We received an overwhelming response in Bengalurufrom families, travel enthusiasts, bikers and others as we sold 1,000 Philately Passports in a single day. Similarly, we received a good response in Mysuru, Mangaluru and Belagavi. But most who were not aware that these passports are available in these districts queued up in front of the General Post Office in Cubbon Park. They purchased and sent these to their family members via post.”

The official added, “We don’t want people to go through this hassle, so we have shared the names of venues and districts where the passports are available in advance. Besides, we don’t want people to queue up on their work day and lose time. So, passports will be sold on the second Saturday (October 10) and Sunday (October 11). Our department staff will work on these two days, though they are government holidays.”

While highlighting that the department is in the process of procuring these passports, the official noted that hundreds of enquiries have come from people through messages on social media and phone calls to post offices while some have directly come to the GPO to check availability.

“We have posted a notice at the entrance of our office and security shelters stating that the department is in the process or procuring the passports. Each passport costs ₹600. This time, we are yet to place an indent. At least 1,000 passports will be available in Bengaluru’s GPO on October 10 and 11. The number might increase as well. Similarly, there will be around 500 passports each in Mangaluru, Mysuru and Belgavi on each of these two days,” the official informed.

For the first time, the Karnataka Postal Circle has collaborated with artisans who make handcrafted Channapatna toys. The official said, “Merchandise or products, such as the letter box, keychain, and postman pen stand, will be handmade and available for sale.”

There will be also postcards carrying the picture of GI-tagged Channapatna toys and some information about the same. People can buy these postcards and write a letter to their loved ones.

The Philately Passport contains 100 pictorial cancellations. It has natural, historical and cultural heritage landmarks, including Vidhana Soudha, Bannerghatta National Park in Bengaluru, Nandi Hills, Stone Chariot in Hampi, Gol Gumbaz in Vijayapura, Galaganatha Temple in Pattadakal, Chaturmukha Basadin Gerusoppa, Nagarhole National Park, Kapu Lighthouse and more.

Whenever a person visits a landmark or tourist location mentioned in this passport, they can head to the nearest designated post office and buy a postage stamp that matches the theme of the location. The postman fixes it in the passport and presses a seal of an exclusive permanent pictorial cancellation, which means the seal will be unique to that particular place.

Natarajan Venkatesan, a travel enthusiast, said, “I bought this passport in April 2026 and have been travelling to various places. Recently, I got all the 100 pictorial cancellations and submitted the passport to the post office in Bengaluru before September 30. I was told that I will be recognised for the same by the Department of Posts.”