Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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A unique Shivling, hidden for centuries, was recently discovered in the Amrit Kund inside the Trimbakeshwar Temple complex in Nashik, Maharashtra. The Trimbakeshwar Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
It is located at Trimbak village in Nashik district, Maharashtra, near Brahmagiri Hill, the origin of the Godavari River. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of India.
The temple is mentioned in the Shiva Purana, Skanda Purana, and Padma Purana.

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Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto jointly inaugurated the India-backed conservation and restoration project at the Prambanan Temple Compounds, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 9th century during the Hindu Mataram Kingdom, Prambanan is Indonesia’s largest Hindu temple complex. The temple is dedicated to the Trimurti—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. The initiative reflects India’s Act East Policy, cultural diplomacy, and commitment to preserving shared civilisational heritage.

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The Maharashtra Government has sanctioned ₹1 crore for the first phase of a memorial dedicated to ‘Veer’ Jivaji Mahale at the foothills of Pratapgad Fort. Pratapgad Fort is a hill fort located in the Satara district of Maharashtra. The fort is situated at an altitude of about 1,080 metres and is built on a spur overlooking the road between Par and Kinesvar villages.

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Recently, the Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Sarnath is located near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites of Buddhism. It is mentioned in ancient Buddhist texts as Rishipattan, Ishipatana, and Mrigadava. It is the place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment, marking the Dharmachakra Pravartan (Turning of the Wheel of Dharma). With this inscription, Sarnath became India’s 45th UNESCO World Heritage Site and Uttar Pradesh’s 4th World Heritage Site.

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In August 2026, Kalaburagi MP Radhakrishna Doddamani met Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat seeking approval for a ₹20 crore conservation and rejuvenation project for Kalaburagi Fort under AMRUT 2.0 (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0. Kalaburagi Fort is a historic medieval fort located in North Karnataka. It was originally built in the 12th century and was expanded in 1347 by Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah. It became the first capital of the Bahmani Sultanate before the capital shifted to Bidar in 1424. The fort combines Persian and Hindu-Islamic architectural elements.

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The Jammu and Kashmir administration has approved ₹10 crore for the restoration of the historic Rattan Garh Fort. The fort is an 18th-century monument located in Bhaderwah and is being restored to promote heritage and cultural tourism in the Chenab Valley. Rattan Garh Fort is located in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. Bhaderwah, where the fort is situated, is part of the Chenab Valley region.

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The 2nd edition of the Suru Festival was inaugurated at Damsna picnic spot in Kargil, Ladakh. The two-day festival is set against the backdrop of the Nun-Kun peaks. It showcases the cultural heritage, natural beauty, tourism potential and adventure activities of Suru Valley. Major attractions include paragliding, river rafting, cycling, angling and cultural programmes. The festival aims to promote tourism, local entrepreneurship and adventure activities in the Suru Valley.

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The Gollalagudi (Gollala Gudi) Temple at Palampet has been declared a Monument of National Importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958. The temple is located in Mulugu district, Telangana, near the famous Ramappa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It represents the architectural and cultural heritage of the Kakatiya dynasty. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the Ministry of Culture will oversee its conservation and preservation.

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Uparkot Fort in Junagadh, Gujarat has remained closed to visitors for the third consecutive day after a leopard was spotted inside the historic fort premises. Uparkot Fort is situated in Junagadh, Gujarat, on the eastern side of the city. It is one of the major historical landmarks of the Saurashtra region. The fort is traditionally associated with Chandragupta Maurya and is believed to have been established around 319 BCE. It was subsequently strengthened and modified by rulers of different dynasties.

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The historic Shekhawati Havelis of Rajasthan have been added to UNESCO’s Tentative List, marking a step towards their possible inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The listed havelis are located across 14 places, including Alsisar, Churu, Fatehpur, Jhunjhunu, Mandawa, Nawalgarh and Sikar. Shekhawati Havelis are famous for their colourful fresco paintings, distinctive architecture and cultural heritage. Their paintings provide insights into Rajasthan’s artistic traditions and social and cultural life. The inclusion is expected to promote heritage conservation and tourism in the Shekhawati region.