WASHINGTON, D.C. - Targeting the large number of Hindus in the United States, an Atlanta-based company headed by an Indian-American has launched a series of custom-made postage stamps depicting Hindu gods and goddesses.

The first set of such postage stamps in denomination of 44 cents was launched in January by USA-postage.com, the Atlanta-based firm, depicting Sai Baba, Lord Venkateshwara, Lakshmi, Murugan, Vinayaka, Shiva–Parvathi and Sri Krishna.

Such postage stamps depicting Hindu gods and goddesses have been launched for the first time in the US taking the benefit of a six-year-old law of the US Postal Service (USPS) that permit issuing of customized postages.

“These postages have not been issued by the US Postal Service, but these are as good as stamps and is legally valid.  We do not call them stamps. We call them as postages. But these can be used as any other normal stamp,” Roy Betts, spokesman of USPS said.

“Commemorative sheets from USA-postage.com are valid US Postage produced by a technology call PC Postage. Usa-postage.  com is proud to be the first company to offer customized postage with divine images that have specific appeal to the Indian community living in the US,” said Ennar Chilakapati, vice president, USA-postage.com.

Since its quiet launch, USA-Postage.com has received tremendous response from the large Hindu community in the United States. More than 1.5 million Hindus live in the US.

Chilakapati said he has been receiving requests for postages from countries like Britain too where people want to keep it as a souvenir.

Chilakapati said profits from the sale of such postages are being donated to Indian temples.

“Customised postage sheets are idle for giving as gift items. Indian community living in United states can order online as a gift item,” he said.