1. Sominsai festival, recently seen in the news, is associated with which country?
[A] Egypt
[B] Vietnam
[C] Japan
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Japan]
Notes:
The Sominsai festival, deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, recently marked its millennium-long legacy’s final celebration. This ancient tradition, occurring on the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, showcased fervent nude wrestling matches among hundreds of men over wooden talismans. The festival, a captivating spectacle of tradition and spirituality, has left an indelible mark on Japan’s cultural landscape.
2. Archaeologists recently discovered a Harappan-era fortified settlement named Morodharo in which state?
[A] Haryana
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Gujarat
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gujarat]
Notes:
Archaeologists recently uncovered Morodharo, a Harappan-era fortified settlement in Kutch District, Gujarat. Dating from 2,600 to 1,300 BCE, the settlement spans the mature to late Harappan period. The fortification, measuring 102m east to west and 58m north to south, boasts a 3.3m thick wall. Features include a 10x10m platform, a well, burial cairns, and Harappan pottery with perforated jar sherds. Resembling finds from Dholavira, the discovery sheds light on this ancient civilization.
3. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Shri Kalki Dham Temple in which district of Uttar Pradesh?
[A] Ayodhya
[B] Saharanpur
[C] Sambhal
[D] Sitapur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sambhal ]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Shri Kalki Dham Temple in Sambhal district, Uttar Pradesh. Constructed by Shri Kalki Dham Nirman Trust, chaired by Acharya Pramod Krishnam, the temple’s unique feature is its ten garbh grihas, representing all ten avatars of the Lord, including the human form. The Prime Minister highlighted the intricate architecture, emphasizing the embodiment of various divine forms in the scriptures.
4. Kapilavastu Relic, recently mentioned in the news, is associated with which one of the following?
[A] Adi Shankaracharya
[B] Goswami Tulsidas
[C] Mahavir
[D] Buddha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Buddha]
Notes:
Four bone fragments of Lord Buddha, known as Kapilvastu Relics, discovered by William Claxton Peppé in 1898 at Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh, will be taken to Thailand after 30 years. The relics were excavated from the ancient city of Kapilavastu. According to Buddhist beliefs, Buddha attained salvation in Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar at the age of 80, and his relics were divided among different communities to erect stupas, with Ashoka later enshrining them in numerous stupas to spread Buddhism.
5. Ancient Badami Chalukya temples were recently discovered in Mudimanikyam village along the banks of which river?
[A] Godavari River
[B] Kaveri River
[C] Krishna River
[D] Tapi River
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Krishna River]
Notes:
Two Badami Chalukya temples, aged 1,300-1,500 years, and a 1,200-year-old label inscription were discovered in Mudimanikyam village, Telangana near the Krishna River. The Chalukyas ruled the Deccan from the 6th to 12th centuries, comprising the Badami Chalukyas and the sibling dynasties of the Western and Eastern Chalukyas. Pulakesi I founded the dynasty in 550, making Badami the capital. Pulakesi II expanded the empire, defeating Harsha and Vishnukundins, but later lost Vatapi to Pallava Narasimhavarman.
6. Attukal Pongala festival, recently seen in the news, is celebrated in which state?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Kerala
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
Attukal Pongala, the world’s largest women’s congregation festival, extends globally with devotees observing rituals in the US and the UK. It is celebrated annually at Kerala’s Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, the event spans 10 days, starting on the Karthigai star of the Malayalam month of Makaram or Kumbham. On the 9th day, the Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam occurs, featuring the ritualistic preparation and offering of a sweet payasam to the Goddess Bhagavathy, signifying the festival’s cultural and religious significance.
7. Majuli manuscript painting, recently seen in the news, is associated with which state?
[A] Assam
[B] Manipur
[C] Tripura
[D] Mizoram
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Assam]
Notes:
Majuli manuscript painting, a traditional art form dating back to the 16th century in Assam, recently received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The paintings are created on sanchi pat, manuscripts made from the bark of the sanchi or agar tree, using homemade ink. Srimanta Sankardev’s illustrated rendering of the Adya Dasama from the Bhagwat Purana is considered the earliest example. Originally patronized by Ahom kings, this art form persists in every sattra in Majuli.
8. Recently, A 900-year-old Kannada inscription from the Kalyana Chalukya dynasty was discovered in which state?
[A] Telangana
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Karnataka
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Telangana]
Notes:
A 900-year-old Kannada inscription from the Kalyana Chalukya dynasty was unearthed in Gangapuram, Telangana. The Chalukyas governed central India’s Deccan plateau from the 6th to 12th centuries, comprising three distinct dynasties: Badami, Kalyani, and Vengi. The Kalyani Chalukyas, primarily Kannadiga, ruled from their capital, Kalyani (modern-day Bidar district, Karnataka). Tailapa II founded the empire while ruling Tardavadi in Bijapur district, Karnataka, under the Rashtrakuta Empire’s suzerainty.
9. Shigmo festival, recently seen in news, is celebrated in which state?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Odisha
[D] Goa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Goa]
Notes:
Spring has sprung in Goa, igniting the vibrant Shigmo Festival, celebrating Konkan tradition. Lasting from March 26 to April 8, 2024, it bids farewell to winter, welcoming spring’s warmth. A fusion of Holi’s energy and carnival’s flamboyance, Shigmo showcases grand parades with folk performances and mythological floats. Held annually in Panaji, it embodies the essence of springtime bliss for Goans, echoing through the streets with two weeks of arts and culture.
10. Ahobilam Shrine, recently seen in news, is located in which state?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Maharshtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
The Forest Department and Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam imposed restrictions at Ahobilam shrine in Nallamala forest due to intense heat endangering wild animals. Ahobilam, in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district, houses nine Narasimha shrines in a 5km radius. Recently, the ‘Paruveta Utsavam’ became a state festival. To protect wildlife, plastic use is banned. Additionally, a temple for Prahaladavarada Varadhan exists due to security reasons and logistical challenges in daily worship.