Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Tihar, a five-day Hindu festival, is mainly celebrated in Nepal. The second day of the festival is called Kukur Tihar, which means “day of the dogs.” On this day, dogs are worshipped and honoured with flower garlands, tika on their foreheads, and special food offerings. In Nepalese belief, dogs are considered messengers of Yamraj, the god of death. The ritual is performed to appease Yamraj and seek protection and blessings. The festival symbolises respect for animals and the bond between humans and dogs.

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Every year, the Department of Fisheries, Manipur, organises the Annual Fish Fair cum Fish Crop Competition before the Ningol Chakouba festival. Ningol Chakouba is celebrated on the second day of Hiyangei month of the Meitei calendar. ‘Ningol’ means married woman and ‘Chakouba’ means invitation for feast; married women are invited to their parental homes for a feast. The festival dates back to King Nongda Lairen Pakhangba’s rule in Manipur.

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The traditional ‘Hingot war Festival’ takes place annually in Gautampura, Madhya Pradesh. The festival is organised every year on ‘Dhok Padwa,’ the day after Diwali, to commemorate Mughal–Maratha conflicts of the 17th–18th centuries. According to local folklore, the Hingot War originated from warrior customs of Gurjar soldiers and evolved into a symbolic sport after wars ceased. The region is inhabited mainly by the Gurjar community, known for martial traditions, bravery, and horsemanship. The festival begins after sunset with villagers offering prayers at a temple. Hingot is a local fruit stuffed with gunpowder, tied to a wooden stick, lit, and thrown at opponents like a rocket.

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UNESCO has declared Lucknow a “Creative City of Gastronomy” at its 43rd General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Lucknow becomes the second Indian city after Hyderabad to earn this title. The recognition highlights Lucknow’s rich culinary heritage, from royal kitchens to street food. The Uttar Pradesh Directorate of Tourism submitted the nomination on January 31, 2025, and the Government of India approved it on March 3, 2025. The official UNESCO announcement came on October 31, 2025. The UNESCO tag aims to boost culinary tourism, support local food entrepreneurs, and promote sustainable practices.

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A 16-day Global Peace Prayer Festival (GPPF) began on November 4, 2025, in Thimphu, Bhutan, to pray for world peace and healing of humanity amid global conflicts. The festival was launched by Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and Chief Abbot Trulku Jigme Choedra at Changlimithang ground. It is organized by the Royal Government of Bhutan with support from the Government of India. The event marks the 70th birth anniversary of the Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, who introduced democracy in Bhutan.

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103 punch-marked gold coins from the Vijayanagara era were unearthed at the Later Chola-era Shiva temple in Kovilur hamlet, near Jamunamarathur village, Jawadhu Hills, Tiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu. The coins were found during restoration work worth ₹2.5 crore undertaken by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department. Revenue and police officials secured the find; the coins will be assessed by Tamil Nadu State Archaeology Department (TNSAD) before being handed to the district treasury under the Indian Treasure Trove Act, 1878. The discovery reflects the temple-building and revival initiatives during the reign of Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire.

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The President of India extended greetings to the people of Odisha on the occasion of the historic ‘Baliyatra’ festival. Baliyatra is an annual maritime festival celebrated in coastal Odisha on the day of Kartika Purnima. It commemorates the ancient maritime trade and cultural links between Odisha (ancient Kalinga) and Southeast Asian regions such as Bali, Java, and Sumatra. The festival is linked to the legend of ‘Taapoi’ and associated with rituals like ‘Bhalukuni Osha’ (also called ‘Khudurukuni Osha’) and ‘Bada Osha’. During the celebration, people float miniature boats with lamps on the Mahanadi River, symbolizing the sea voyages of Kalinga’s sailors and traders in ancient times

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The 9th Ganga Utsav was celebrated by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, focusing on partnership and people’s participation for river rejuvenation. Two key publications—“Status of Waterbirds in the Ganga River Basin” and “Status of Island Nesting Report”—were released to assess ecological health. At Amity University, Noida, the theme “Voices and Rhythms of River: Technical and Cultural Expressions” highlighted data-driven and LiDAR-based river management. Resources like “Preventing Solid Waste Flow into Water”, “The Colors of Ganga”, and LiDAR Data Release for Riverathon 1.0 were launched.

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Recently, a portion of the Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha from India was enshrined at Tashichhodzong Monastery in Thimpu, Bhutan. The Piprahwa Relics were discovered in 1898 at Piprahwa Stupa, Uttar Pradesh, linked to ancient Kapilavastu, Buddha’s homeland. Relics include bone fragments of Lord Buddha, crystal caskets, gold ornaments, gemstones, and a sandstone coffer. An inscription in Brahmi script links the relics to the Sakya clan, enshrined around the 3rd century BC.

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Chief Minister (CM) Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the 36th Konark Festival, 15th International Sand Art Festival, and Subhadra Shakti Mela at Chandrabhaga beach, Odisha. The events were held near the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Konark Sun Temple. Classical dances like Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Manipuri, and Kathak are performed. 143 sand artists from India and abroad are participating in the sand art festival. The festival runs from 1 to 5 December 2025