Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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The Virupaksha Temple in Hampi, Karnataka, made news after the collapse of a temple pavilion during heavy rains in 2024.
Concerns have been raised about the conservation of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple is dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, a form of Lord Shiva. It is located in Hampi, Vijayanagara district, Karnataka. The site has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. The temple has been in continuous use since the 7th century AD, making it one of India’s oldest functioning temples. It was expanded during the Vijayanagara, Chalukyan, and Hoysala periods.

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After ten years of restoration by the Telangana government’s Department of Heritage and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park is now open to the public. Built by the Qutb Shahi dynasty, which ruled from 1518 to 1687 A.D. The complex is located in Ibrahim Bagh, Hyderabad. It consists of 30 tombs, mosques, and a mortuary bath, mainly for Qutb Shahi rulers. Features a 500-year-old collection of mausoleums, mosques, a hammam, and stepwells.

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In Odisha, especially in the western and some southern regions, people are celebrating the ‘Nauakhai’ festival, which marks the start of the new rice season. On this occasion, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi introduced the CM-Kisan Yojana to support farmers with financial aid. Under this scheme, farmers will receive Rs 4,000 annually in two parts. Today, Rs 2,000 was deposited into the accounts of around 46 lakh farmers, with the remaining amount to be given on Akshaya Tritiya. A total of Rs 925.40 crore will be distributed to nearly 46 lakh beneficiaries.

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Seiyhama village in Nagaland celebrated the Naga king chili festival, showcasing community farming. Naga King Chili, also known as Bhoot Jolokia or Ghost Pepper, is one of the world’s hottest chillies. It was certified by Guinness World Records in 2006, with heat exceeding 1 million Scoville Heat Units. It received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2008. The chili is primarily cultivated in Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, and to a lesser extent in Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya. Peak harvest months are August-September, and it is grown in large bamboo groves.

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The Gingee Fort, situated in Tamil Nadu’s Villupuram district, has been nominated for UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. The fort is part of the Maratha Military Landscapes nomination for UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2024-25. The nomination includes 12 components, with 11 sites in Maharashtra and Gingee Fort as the only site from Tamil Nadu. Known as the ‘Troy of the East’, Gingee Fort located atop three hillocks- Rajagiri, Krishnagiri and Chandragiri. It was built by Ananta Kon of the Konar Dynasty in 1,200 CE. It has seen rule by the Vijayanagar Nayaks, Marathas, Mughals, Nawabs, French, and British.

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The 10th World Free Zones Organisation Congress organized in Dubai, from September 23-25, 2024. It gathers experts and stakeholders from the free zones, logistics, and multilateral sectors. The theme is “Zones and the Shifting Global Economic Structures – Unlocking New Investment Avenues.” The congress focuses on trends, technologies, and innovations in the free zones sector. Over 35 speakers participated in sessions and workshops. Indian companies and free zones are actively involved, with Srikanth Badiga representing India. It offers Indian businesses opportunities to explore new investments and global economic impacts on free trade zones.

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Borra Caves, located in the Eastern Ghats in Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh, are among the deepest and largest caves in India. They were discovered by William King George of the Geological Survey of India. Formed millions of years ago by the Gosthani River, the caves are made of karstic limestone and extend to a depth of 80 meters. A naturally formed Shivling inside the caves is worshipped by local tribal communities. Stone tools from the Paleolithic age (30,000-50,000 years ago) were found, indicating early human habitation. The caves will get a facelift under Swadesh Darshan 2.0.

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The Thirukurungudi Temples, including the Nambi Rayar Temple, Thirumalai Nambi Temple, and Aniliswarar Temple, are situated in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has recently documented inscriptions from these temples, dating back to the 9th Century during the Pandya period. These inscriptions reveal historical donations, including sheep for temple lamps and tax-free land for gardens, highlighting the region’s rich cultural heritage and religious practices during the Vijayanagara reign.

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The Maring community in Tengnoupal district, Manipur, celebrated the annual Lamlai pre-harvest festival. The festival began with the traditional Khousab (war dance) procession through the village. It is significant for the Maring tribe, honoring ancestors and promoting unity. Villagers clean their surroundings, including drains, roads, and pathways during the celebration. The Lamlai Festival marks the start of preparations for the harvest season.

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Copper plate inscriptions from the 16th century were found at Sri Singeeswarar temple in Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and located in Mappedu Village. It was originally built by Aditya Karikalan II in 976 AD, father of Chola emperor Rajaraja Cholan. Krishnadevaraya’s viceroy, Dalavai Ariyanadha Mudaliar, added the Rajagopuram, compound wall, and 16-pillar Mandap in 1501. The temple features Dravidian architecture with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. The main deity, Singeeswarar, is worshipped in the form of a large Shiva Lingam.