Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The Bathou religion of the Bodo community in Assam has been officially given a separate code in the upcoming national census. Bathouism is the indigenous faith of the Bodos, mainly in Assam and parts of North Bengal, forming a key part of their cultural identity. The term “Bathou” means “Five Principles”, representing Ha (Earth), Dwi (Water), Or (Fire), Bar (Air), and Okhrang (Sky). The religion focuses on nature worship, maintaining balance between humans and the environment through household and community rituals. Sacred Sijou plants and elemental symbols are central to Bathou practices.

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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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The Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum is part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project. It will be the world’s largest museum, with the first gallery opening in one year and full completion in 36 months. The museum will be developed through Adaptive Reuse, in collaboration with France, known for projects like the Louvre, Grand Palais, and Hôtel de la Marine. It involves transforming the North and South Blocks into museum spaces. The museum will showcase India’s civilizational and cultural heritage, celebrating the nation’s timeless history, present, and future vision.

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The Chavang Kut Festival, a post-harvest celebration of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo communities, is observed every year on November 1 across Manipur. The festival marks the end of the harvesting season and expresses thanksgiving to the almighty for a good harvest. Chavang Kut was declared a State Holiday in 1982 due to its cultural significance. The festival symbolizes gratitude, unity, and harmony between humans and nature.

Notes:
The historic 10-day cultural festival Kartik Naach concluded recently at Patan Durbar Square, Lalitpur, Nepal, on Kartik Purnima. It is a traditional dance and drama festival celebrated annually in Nepal during the Hindu lunar month of Kartik. The festival has been performed for over 300 years and is deeply rooted in Hindu epics. Local artists, who inherit the art through generations, perform in open-air evening shows combining dance, drama, and music. It was started in the 17th century by King Siddhinarsingh Malla of Patan. Patan Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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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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In November 2025, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) banned tourist entry into the ‘Nata Mandap’ of the Konark Sun Temple in Puri district, Odisha. The Konark Sun Temple is located on the coastline of Odisha. It is also known as Surya Devalaya and is dedicated to the Hindu Sun God, Surya. Historical texts show that King Narasimha I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty built it around 1250 CE.

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Government of India has granted Geographical Indication (GI) registration to two traditional Lepcha musical instruments — Tungbuk and Pumtong Pulit. The instruments were registered on 5th November 2025 under the Musical Instrument category of the GI Registry. The certificates were presented during the 1st Tribal Business Conclave in New Delhi, organised by the Ministries of Culture, Tribal Affairs, and Commerce & Industry. Tungbuk is a three-string instrument, and Pumtong Pulit is a bamboo flute, both central to Lepcha folk music and spirituality.

Notes:
Himachal Pradesh’s Raulane Festival preserves the ancient faith and traditions of Kinnaur district. It is a 5,000-year-old festival honoring mystical celestial fairies called Saunis. Key ritual involves two men dressed as a symbolic groom (Raula) and bride (Raulane) in traditional Kinnauri woollens. The Raula and Raulane procession moves to Nagin Narayan Temple. They perform a slow, devotional dance symbolizing a connection between humans and the divine. The festival reflects Kinnaur’s rich cultural heritage and enduring spiritual practices.