Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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Kumbhalgarh Fort in Rajasthan was recently recognised by UNESCO surveys as having the world’s second-longest surviving wall after the Great Wall of China. It was built in the 15th century by Rana Kumbha, the fort is located in the Aravalli Hills and was an important military stronghold of Mewar. Its massive wall stretches over 36 kilometres, giving it the title “Great Wall of India.” The fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the Hill Forts of Rajasthan.

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Government of Madhya Pradesh partnered with Google Cloud to deploy Artificial Intelligence-based solutions for Simhastha Kumbh 2028. The initiative aims to improve crowd management, traffic prediction, emergency response, and pilgrim assistance during the mega religious event. Ujjain hosts the Simhastha Kumbh once every 12 years on the banks of the Shipra River. Simhastha Kumbh is one of the largest Hindu pilgrimages, where devotees gather for ritual bathing believed to cleanse sins.

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Odisha has launched a revival plan for the traditional Bomkai Saree weaving tradition in Ganjam district. The project is titled “Revival of Languishing Products (Cotton Bomkai Saree)” and is implemented by the state’s Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department. Bomkai weaving is traditionally associated with Bomkai village in Ganjam district and also with Subarnapur. The revival initiative includes documentation of traditional motifs, colour patterns, and weaving techniques.

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India gifted a special variety of sandalwood to Nepal for use at the Pashupatinath Temple. Pashupatinath Temple is a famous Hindu temple situated on the banks of the Bagmati River near Kathmandu. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Pashupati, meaning “protector of animals.”

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Recently, concerns were raised over deforestation of more than 60 hectares of land near Karnala Fort in Maharashtra without prior approval from the Union Government. Karnala Fort, also known as Funnel Hill, is a historic hill fort located in Raigad District, Maharashtra. The fort is situated within the Karnala Bird Sanctuary in the Sahyadri region. Karnala Fort overlooks the historic Bor Pass, an important trade route that connected the Konkan coast with the interior regions of Maharashtra.

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Recently, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) removed walls built inside the main gopuram of the Virupaksha Temple at Hampi. The Virupaksha Temple, also known as Pampapathi Temple, is dedicated to Lord Virupaksha (Shiva). It is located in Hampi, Karnataka, on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra River. The temple is part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986.

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The 2nd edition of the Mango Magic Festival was held in Seattle, United States, to promote Indian mangoes in the US market. More than 100 importers and representatives of major retailers, including Costco Wholesale, participated in the tasting event. Seven premium Indian mango varieties were showcased, including Alphonso, Kesar, Banganpalli, Himayat, Langra, Dussehri, and Rajapuri. The initiative was organized by the Consulate General of India in Seattle. India is the world’s largest producer of mangoes, producing over 26 million metric tons annually with more than 1,000 varieties.

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The annual Mela Kheer Bhawani is recently celebrated in Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Kashmir, on the occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami. It is one of the most important festivals of the Kashmiri Pandit community dedicated to Mata Ragnya Devi. The main celebrations are held at the shrine in Tulmulla, attracting thousands of devotees. Devotees offer kheer, milk, flowers, and sacred leaves as part of rituals. The festival symbolizes faith, cultural identity, resilience, and communal harmony among Kashmiri Pandits.

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The Hemis Festival 2026 has begun from 24 June at the historic Hemis Monastery in Leh, Ladakh. The two-day festival attracts devotees, tourists, and Buddhist scholars from India and abroad. The celebrations include traditional rituals, prayers, and Cham mask dances performed by monks. The performances symbolise the victory of good over evil and promote peace, compassion, and harmony. The festival highlights the rich Buddhist cultural heritage of Ladakh and promotes cultural tourism in the region.

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In the 135th episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Nalanda University for reviving the ancient tradition of Shastrarth. Shastrarth is an ancient Indian tradition of structured scholarly debate, where ideas are tested through logic and evidence. The term is derived from Shastra (scriptures/knowledge) and Artha (meaning/interpretation). Its roots lie in the Vedic and Upanishadic period and it was widely practiced in ancient universities such as Nalanda University, Vikramashila, and Takshashila.