Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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Visitors are imitating the Temple Run game at Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, raising concerns about damage to the 900-year-old site. Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious monument, covering 200 acres. It was built in the 12th century by Khmer King Suryavarman II. It was originally a Hindu temple for Vishnu, later becoming Buddhist. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. The temple features intricate carvings, five towers symbolising Mount Meru, and thousands of bas-reliefs. It is located in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It was part of the Khmer Empire’s capital, Angkor, which thrived from the 9th to 15th centuries.

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Hampi, in Central Karnataka, India, needs a balance between preserving its ancient ruins and supporting local communities. Located on the Tungabhadra River, it was the Vijayanagara Empire’s capital from the 14th to 16th century.
Designated a World Heritage Site in 1986. Its architecture mixes Chola, Hoysala, Pandya, Chalukya, and Indo-Islamic styles. Temples are known for their large size, detailed carvings, and depictions from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

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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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The Kumaranallur Devi temple in Kottayam, Kerala, is undergoing a restoration project. The temple dates back to the 10th century during King Cheraman Perumal’s reign and features a rare ‘Sree Chakra’ style in its architecture. Its murals, spread across 14 sections, depict scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, starting with an image of Karthyayani Devi.
Renowned mural artist Gopi Chavayur is restoring the murals, which had faded over time. The first restoration in 1997 recreated 12 panels using traditional colours like red, yellow, green, white, and black, with emphasis on lines. Unique elements include Goddess Parvathy depicted in modern attire.

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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 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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Scientists found over 300 new Nazca Lines in Peru, nearly doubling the known geoglyphs. The new lines feature humanoid figures, animals, fish, birds, cats, and even a “killer whale holding a knife.” The Nazca Lines are large geoglyphs carved by an ancient pre-Incan civilization between 200 B.C. and A.D. 500. These geoglyphs were made by removing desert surface pebbles to reveal lighter soil underneath. Around 430 Nazca Lines were already found, most in the last 20 years with satellite technology. The discovery rate is slowing, as remaining shapes are too faint for easy detection. The Nazca Lines were first rediscovered by airplane passengers in the 1920s.

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The 200-year-old Paigah Tombs in Hyderabad are currently being restored. Also known as Maqhbara Shams al-Umara, they are the burial sites of the Paigah nobility. The tombs showcase Indo-Saracenic architecture, combining Asaf Jah and Rajputani styles. Made of white marble, the tombs feature intricately designed interiors and stunning stucco work. This stucco represents various styles, including Mughal, Greek, Persian, Asaf Jahi, Rajasthani, and Deccani. The unique ‘Jali’ work adds to their charm, with each tomb having a distinct design.

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At least 46 people, including 37 children, drowned during the Jivitputrika festival in Bihar while taking a holy dip.
Jivitputrika, or Jitiya Vrat, is a Hindu festival mainly observed in northern and eastern part of India especially in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Nepal. Mothers fast for three days for the well-being and long life of their children, with a strict ‘nirjala’ fast on the second day. The festival is linked to the mythological story of King Jimutavahana. It starts with a purifying bath (Nahai-Khai) and ends with breaking the fast (Paaran).

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Two people died due to a boundary wall collapse near Mahakal Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, following heavy rainfall.
The Mahakaleshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and located on the banks of the Shipra River in Ujjain. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and dates back to at least the 6th century BC, though it was reconstructed in the 18th century.
The five-storied temple features architecture influenced by Chalukya, Maratha, and Bhumija styles. The temple houses sculptures of Lord Shiva, Ganesh, Parvati, and Karttikeya and includes a tank built in sarvatobhadra style.