Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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The Bhasma Shankar temple in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh was reopened after being locked since 1978 due to communal riots. Its historical significance dates back to the 18th century, serving as a religious center for the Rastogi community until the riots of 1978 forced many families to flee. The temple’s revival has reignited local cultural and religious sentiments, with ongoing excavations revealing ancient idols and further historical artifacts.

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The Surajkund International Craft Fair will take place from February 7–23, 2025, in Faridabad. Around ₹1.50 crore is allocated for repair work to prepare for the event. The fair serves as both an art exhibition and a business hub, connecting craftsmen with art enthusiasts. It highlights India’s rich handicrafts, handlooms, and cultural heritage. The 2025 fair will expand with weather-proof huts to accommodate growing participation, though the number is yet to be finalized. In 2024, 1,150 huts hosted 1,500 indigenous and 250 foreign artisans. BIMSTEC countries are partner nations, with Northeastern states receiving special focus.

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India’s first digital museum, “Abhay Prabhavana,” made of Jaisalmer stones, has opened in Maharashtra. It is located on the banks of the Indrayani River on the Mumbai-Pune highway in Pune district. Built by the Firodia Institute of Philosophy Culture and History, it spans 50 acres near 2200-year-old Pale Jain caves. The museum showcases the life of 24 Jain Tirthankaras and their messages using advanced technology in 30 galleries. Construction took 12 years and cost over ₹400 crore, featuring a 100-foot tall pillar and manuscripts over 1,000 years old. The aim is to preserve Jain heritage, promote its teachings, and highlight Jain contributions to society.

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Ongoing excavation at Rakhigarhi, an ancient Harappan site in Haryana’s Hisar district, has revealed advanced water management systems and cultural practices from nearly 5,000 years ago. Rakhigarhi, the largest known Harappan-era site, spans 865 acres and is globally recognized for its historical significance. The excavation uncovered a water storage area between mounds, approximately 3.5 to 4 feet deep, showcasing advanced water management. A dried riverbed of the Chautang (Drishavati) River was also discovered, adding to the site’s historical importance.

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The Halda Festival is celebrated in January in Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh. It honors Shiskar Apa, the Goddess of Wealth, to seek blessings for prosperity and a good harvest. Celebrations are most prominent in the Pattan, Gahar, and Chandra valleys.

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The Union Ministry of Culture and the Gujarat Government inaugurated a state-of-the-art museum and archaeological interpretation center in Vadnagar. Vadnagar, a 2,500-year-old town, was a hub on ancient trade routes, boasting rich heritage sites like Kirti Toran, Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple, and Sharmistha Lake. The museum complex spans 12,500 sq. m., features nine galleries, a 4,000 sq. m. excavation site, and highlights 5,000 artifacts. The ₹298 crore project integrates sustainability and includes five years of operations and maintenance.

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Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) from Andaman and Nicobar recently received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, boosting its recognition. Women are receiving specialized training in marketing and branding to enhance the product’s reach. VCO is made traditionally, unrefined, unbleached, and free of chemicals or preservatives.

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Nepal organized its first three-day International Pashmina Festival to highlight Chyangra Pashmina, sourced from Pashmina goats. Nepal is a major producer of authentic Pashmina, known for its high quality. The wool is hand-combed, hand-spun, and woven using traditional methods with natural dyes and embroidery. The exhibition featured 150 stalls, including 40 showcasing pure Nepali Pashmina. Nepali Pashmina competes internationally, with strong markets in the US, Japan, and Europe. Challenges include raw material supply and the need for policy improvements to expand the market. Fake and blended Pashmina pose a challenge globally, especially in India.

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A scene featuring Lezim dance in the film, based on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, has sparked controversy in Maharashtra. Lezim is a traditional folk dance of Maharashtra performed with a wooden stick fitted with jingling cymbals. It is both a dance and a rigorous physical drill, often performed in formations of twos, fours, or circles. The dance is accompanied by dhol or dholki, with no wind or string instruments. Lezim was traditionally used in all folk dances but is now mainly seen in Ganesha processions. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, took power in 1681 after a battle with his half-brother Rajaram.

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Araku Utsav titled “Chali” is organized in the Araku Valley of Andhra Pradesh. The valley is part of the Eastern Ghats and sits between 600 m and 900 m above sea level. It houses the biodiverse Anantagiri and Sunkarimetta Reserved Forests, known for bauxite mining. Often called the “Ooty of Andhra,” it is home to various tribes, mainly the Araku Tribes. Araku Arabica Coffee, famous in the valley, earned a GI Tag in 2019. The valley is surrounded by mountains such as Galikonda, Raktakonda, Sunkarimetta, and Chitamogondi.