Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Delhi Development Authority organised annual Palaash Flower Festival 2026 in New Delhi. The three day festival is being held simultaneously at Bansera Park, Ashok Vihar, Jasola and Narela for the first time. It features vibrant floral displays and themed gardens focused on biodiversity and environmental conservation. Organised since 2023, Palash Mahotsav promotes Delhi green heritage and community involvement. The festival strengthens public connection with nature and environmental awareness.

Notes:
Seven day International Shivratri Festival of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh has begun and will continue till 21 February 2026. More than 216 palanquins of local deities have been invited to stay in Mandi during the week. The festival started with worship and first Jaleb ceremony at Shri Raj Madhav Rai Temple. The grand procession includes local deities, Gurus, folk artists and thousands of devotees. International Cultural Parade on 20 February will feature troupes from France, United States, Nigeria, Tanzania, Tajikistan and Sri Lanka. The festival showcases Mandi Dev culture, folk traditions and global cultural exchange.

Notes:
India’s first Chadar Mahotsav of the Jain community will be held from 6–8 March 2026 in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The festival will honor the 872-year-old garments of Dada Shri Jindatt Suri Maharaj, kept in the Jain temple library. more than 150 Jain saints and 30,000 devotees are expected. The garments, preserved since VS 1945, are believed to have remained intact during cremation and an epidemic.

Notes:
The lost city of Charax Spasinou has been discovered in the deserts of Iraq. It was an ancient port city located at the meeting point of the Tigris and Choaspes rivers near the Iraq–Iran border. It was founded in 324 Before Common Era during the Hellenistic period, initially by Alexander the Great. Later, Hyspaosines rebuilt it and founded the Kingdom of Characene with Charax as its capital. Its strategic location made it a major trade hub between Mesopotamia and India through the Persian Gulf. Its importance declined around 224–228 After Death with the rise of the Sassanian Empire.

Notes:
Attukal Pongala is celebrated on 3 March at Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. Attukal Pongala is celebrated in Kerala. It is one of the largest gatherings of women in the world and entered Guinness World Records in 2009 with over 2.5 million participants. The festival honours Goddess Attukal Bhagavathy, incarnation of Kannaki, symbolising women power and devotion. The 10 day festival begins with Kappukettu ritual and ends with priests blessing the offering and sprinkling holy water.

Notes:
The Indian Orchid Festival 2026, themed ‘Orchids for Beauty & Prosperity’, was organised by ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids (ICAR-NRCO) in Pakyong district, Sikkim. Renowned nurseries, tissue culture companies, and marketing firms interacted with growers to share knowledge on cultivation, marketing, and collaboration in the orchid industry. The four-day festival included technical sessions where experts shared practical knowledge to benefit growers. The festival’s theme, ‘Orchids for Beauty & Prosperity’, is intended to inspire growers and stakeholders for future development.

Notes:
Kurumba Art is an ancient tribal painting tradition now facing the threat of extinction. It is a prehistoric art form estimated to be over 3000 years old, created by the Kurumba Tribe living in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. Traditionally, the paintings were made on rocks and cave walls in the high hills of the Nilgiri Hills. Artists prepare natural pigments from forest resources, such as yellow-brown and black from Vengai tree resin and green from crushed leaves. They use simple tools like fine twigs, bamboo sticks, and brushes made from natural fibres to create the paintings.

Notes:
India recently exported 25 metric tonnes of Joha Rice to the United Kingdom and Italy. Joha Rice is an indigenous aromatic rice variety of Assam known for its distinct fragrance, fine grain, and rich taste. It is mainly cultivated during the Sali or Kharif season in Assam. Major varieties include Kola Joha, Keteki Joha, Bokul Joha, and Kunkuni Joha. The rice is rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds, giving nutritional benefits. It received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2017.

Notes:
The Kalinjar Fort hill region in Banda, Uttar Pradesh, has been officially declared a National Geo-Heritage Site by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). Kalinjar Fort is located on an isolated hilltop, surrounded by the Vindhya Mountains and the Ken River, making it a strategically important location. It is one of the oldest and most impressive forts in India, witnessing many decisive battles across ancient, medieval, and modern times. The fort has a history of over 1,500 years, with evidence of its establishment during the Gupta period (4th–6th century).

Notes:
The Archaeological Survey of India has recently started fresh excavations at the Balirajgarh site. Balirajgarh is located in the Madhubani district, Bihar, and is considered a major archaeological and historical site. The site has mythological significance, as it is believed to be the capital of the legendary King Bali. Historically, it is associated with the ancient Videha Kingdom, where it likely functioned as an important administrative center. The site was declared a monument of national importance in 1938 under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904.