Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The 17th Old Seeds Festival was celebrated in Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh. It celebrates heirloom seeds, tribal heritage, and natural farming practices. The event was organised by Sanjeevini Environment Protection Society in collaboration with sustainable agriculture organisations. The festival promotes climate-resilient indigenous seeds and sustainable agriculture. Seed Saviour Award 2026 was given to farmers preserving biodiversity.

Notes:
The Chitra Pournami is primarily celebrated in Tamil Nadu with notable observances at the Mangaladevi Temple. The festival occurs on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April–May). In 2026, it was celebrated on 1 May. It is dedicated to Chitragupta and also associated with Goddess Mangaladevi (Kannagi). Large-scale celebrations take place in Thiruvannamalai, where devotees perform Girivalam around the sacred hill. The festival reflects spiritual purification, devotion, and the belief in karmic accountability.

Notes:
The annual Mahua flower festival, known as ‘Ippa Puvvu Panduga’, is celebrated in Telangana. The festival takes place in Jamidi village of Narnoor mandal in Adilabad district. It is usually observed during April–May, coinciding with the Mahua flower harvest season. The festival highlights the cultural and economic importance of the Mahua tree for tribal communities. It is mainly celebrated by the Gond and other Adivasi communities. Mahua flowers are used for food products, traditional beverages, and medicinal purposes. The event is organised by tribal organisations and local leaders.

Notes:
Udayan Fort is a historic site dating back nearly 2,500 years to the era of the Vatsa Mahajanapada. It is located in Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh, on the banks of the Yamuna River. The fort is associated with King Udayana, one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas. King Udayana was known for his military strength, diplomacy, and patronage of culture. The fort is now set for restoration to preserve its historical and cultural significance.

Notes:
The annual 3-day Moungari Mela, also known as the Shiv-Parvati Mela, was held at the Shiv-Parvati Shrine in Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir. The mela takes place at Sar Dabbar in Moungri tehsil during the month of Jyeshtha and attracts thousands of devotees and tourists. The shrine is known for natural caves containing a naturally formed Shiva Lingam along with other sacred formations. Cultural performances such as Kud, Geetru, and Bhakhan folk traditions are showcased during the mela. Sports events, awareness stalls by government departments, and free langar services are also organised.

Notes:
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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Rupa Tarakasi, the famous silver filigree craft of Cuttack, is facing challenges due to rising silver prices and new import restrictions on silver. Rupa Tarakasi is a centuries-old art form known for delicate silver wire craftsmanship and intricate designs. In Odia, “tara” means wire and “kasi” means to design or work with wire. The craft is believed to have existed since the 12th century and received strong patronage during the Mughal period. The craft received a Geographical Indication Tag in 2024, recognising its cultural and traditional importance.

Notes:
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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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.

Notes:
The traditional Tripura Sarinda, an indigenous stringed musical instrument from Tripura, has recently received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. With this recognition, Tripura now has four GI-tagged products. Other GI-tagged products from Tripura include Queen Pineapple, Risha/Pachra (Rignai) traditional attire, and Matabari Peda. Matabari Peda is a dairy-based sweet traditionally offered at the Tripura Sundari Temple, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas.