Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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The Chhattisgarh government is preparing the 5th-century Sirpur Archaeological Site for nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Digital exhibits and battery-operated vehicles are being added for eco-friendly tourism. Sirpur is a multi-religious city dating from the 5th to 12th century. It is located on the banks of the Mahanadi River in Mahasamund district near Raipur, Chhattisgarh. It was the capital of Dakshina Kosala under Panduvanshi and Somavamshi rulers.

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The famous Karthigai Deepam festival began at Sri Arunachaleshwar Temple in Tiruvannamalai. The ten-day festival is held during the Tamil month of Karthigai and attracts huge public participation. Karthigai Deepam festival is primarily celebrated in Tamil Nadu.

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India’s Deepavali (Diwali) has recently been added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognising its cultural significance at the global level. The UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is designed to highlight and preserve living cultural traditions, practices, and expressions that communities consider an essential part of their identity. The list recognises and safeguards cultural practices that are actively performed and upheld by communities across the world. It aims to promote cultural diversity, strengthen community identity, and ensure the continuity of traditional knowledge.

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Madhya Pradesh is developing a unique sustainability plan for the Simhastha Kumbh 2028 in Ujjain, with the goal of making the event environmentally responsible and eligible for carbon credits. The Kumbh is expected to attract nearly 30 crore pilgrims, requiring systems to manage the massive footfall while reducing environmental impact, improving hygiene, and ensuring safety. The Simhastha Kumbh Mela is a Hindu religious festival held every 12 years in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. It is called “Simhastha” because the festival occurs when Jupiter (Brihaspati) enters the Leo constellation (Simha Rashi).

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The 150th Shree Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan was inaugurated at Shree Devi Talab Temple, Jalandhar, Punjab. It is India’s oldest Hindustani classical music festival, organised with North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC), Patiala, under the Union Ministry of Culture, and supported by the Punjab government. The 3-day festival (26–28 December) is dedicated to the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and Pt Chhannu Lal Mishra, Banaras Gharana vocalist.

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Recently, the Prime Minister of India praised Narsapuram Lace Craft made by self-help groups of Narsapur in Andhra Pradesh during the “Man Ki Baat” programme. Narsapuram Lace Craft is primarily made in Andhra Pradesh. Narsapur is located on the banks of the Godavari River. About 150 years ago, women from farming families began making decorative items using colourful lace. It mainly uses fine cotton threads, along with silk, rayon, synthetic threads, beads, and sequins. The main tool used is a crochet hook of different sizes. It has received the Geographical Indication tag.

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Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics of Bhagwan Buddha in New Delhi. The exhibition titled The Light and the Lotus displays relics repatriated after about 125 years. The Piprahwa relics were discovered in 1898 and are directly linked to Bhagwan Buddha. The Piprahwa site is associated with ancient Kapilavastu, where Buddha spent his early life. The government stopped their international auction, considering them sacred heritage, not artifacts.

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Pakistani archaeologists unearthed rare coins and decorative stones at the Bhir Mound, a UNESCO-listed site near Takshashila, revealing insights into ancient urban settlements. The decorative stones date to the 6th century BCE, while the coins are from the 2nd century CE, belonging to the Kushan dynasty. Coins depict Emperor Vasudeva on the obverse and a female religious deity on the reverse, highlighting Kushan-era religious pluralism. Lapis lazuli fragments, a prized semi-precious stone, indicate long-distance trade, likely sourced from Badakhshan (present-day Afghanistan).

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The Centre has granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag to Nagauri Ashwagandha, recognising its unique regional identity. It is mainly grown in the Nagaur district of Rajasthan. The dry climate and sandy soil of Nagaur are ideal for Ashwagandha cultivation. This variety has longer and thicker roots rich in medicinal compounds, especially alkaloids. Its berries have a dark, bright red colour, which indicates superior quality. The roots are brittle and starchy in nature. Nagauri Ashwagandha is considered the best Ashwagandha variety in arid regions.

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Somnath Swabhiman Parv is observed at Somnath, Gujarat from 8–11 January. The event marks 1,000 years since the first recorded attack on the Somnath Temple. It aims to convey the message of continuity, resilience and revival of Sanatan culture to future generations. The Somnath Mahadev Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, represents India’s spiritual and cultural legacy. Despite repeated attacks, the temple was rebuilt every time, symbolising endurance and civilisational strength. The observance highlights the unbroken spirit and renewal of Sanatan tradition.