41. Lal Pahari, where the first hilltop Buddhist monastery of the Gangetic Valley has been found, is in which state?
[A] Bihar
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Jharkhand
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bihar]
Notes:
The first hill-top Buddhist monastery of the Gangetic Valley has been found at Lal Pahari in Lakhisarai district of Bihar.
This is the first monastery located at the top of a hill. This is discovered during a joint collaboration of Bihar Heritage Development Society and the Visva-Bharati University, West Bengal. It was a Vihara, named as Srimaddharmaviharik aryabhiksusanghasya.
42. ‘Thai Poosam’ is a religious festival celebrated in which Indian state?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Odisha
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
People of Tamil Nadu celebrate the ‘Thai Poosam’ festival, which is dedicated for the worship of the Tamil God Lord Muruga.
After the devotees requested to declare the day as a public holiday, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami issued an order for the same. It is also celebrated in some parts of Kerala and in other countries like Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius and Indonesia.
43. The Cherry Blossom Mao Festival was organised in which state recently?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Manipur
[C] Nagaland
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Manipur]
Notes:
The Annual Cherry Blossom Festival event was organised at Mao of Manipur recently. The event was held in a virtual format.
The entire Mao town was adorned with cherry blossom flowers and it was streamed live on Face book, YouTube, Instagram etc. Traditional folk dances and Special ballet named Cherri Nachom was also a part of the event.
44. ‘Jallikattu’ is an event celebrated in which Indian state/UT?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Kerala
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami flagged off the famous jallikattu event at Alanganallur in Madurai District of the state.
Jallikattu is a bull-taming sport traditionally organised in the state, as an important part of the Pongal Festival called the ‘Maatu Pongal’. Amidst concerns on animal rights, the event is continued after the state passed an ordinance to conserve the tradition.
45. India’s first Labour Movement Museum is to be launched in which state/UT?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] West Bengal
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
India’s first Labour Movement Museum is to be launched in the Houseboat tourism hub, Alappuzha in the state of Kerala.
The Museum aims to showcase the history of world labour movement, by showcasing the important documents of the World Labour movement and the exhibits of Kerala’s labour movement. Conservation architect Dr Benny Kuriakose is leading the project of outlay Rs 9.95 Crore.
46. ‘Toshali National Crafts Mela’, which was making news recently, was organised in which state/UT?
[A] Odisha
[B] Bihar
[C] Uttarakhand
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Odisha]
Notes:
The Toshali National Crafts Mela is annually organised in the state of Odisha. This year, the Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik recently inaugurated the event.
Many artisans from across the state and from many parts of the counry showcased their products in the handloom and handicraft fair. State Handicrafts Award and State Kalakruti Award were also presented to exceptional artisans.
47. ‘Pahela Phagun’, the spring festival, is celebrated in which country?
[A] India
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Nepal
[D] Myanmar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bangladesh]
Notes:
The first day of the spring called ‘Pahela Phagun’ is celebrated in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The country’s top cultural organisations including the Bangladesh Shilpa Kala Academy held programmes to celebrate the beginning of the spring.
On account of the Covid pandemic, the traditional programme of ‘Basanta Utsab’ at the Fine Arts faculty in Dhaka university was cancelled.
48. What is “Manyamkonda Jatara”, that is seen in the news recently?
[A] Ancient Harappan Site
[B] Buddhist Vihara
[C] Interstate Religious Festival
[D] Pre-Independence movement
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Interstate Religious Festival]
Notes:
Manyamkonda Jatara is an interstate religious festival of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. This festival involves shifting idols from Odisha to Andhra at Polluru village in Mothugudem mandal of East Godavari District.
Incidents of untoward incidents and left-wing extremisms have been reported in the past during this festival. But, due to abundant precautionary measures, this year’s festival went on peacefully.
49. “Sajibu Cheiraoba”, is the lunar new year festival celebrated in which Indian state?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Odisha
[C] Manipur
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Manipur]
Notes:
Sajibu Cheiraoba is the Lunar New year Festival celebrated by the people who follow the religion of Sanamahism in the Indian state of Manipur.
It falls on the day of the Month of Sajibu. The lunar new year is celebrated on the same day in different names in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and many other Indian states.
50. ‘Putola Nach’, which was making news recently, is the traditional string puppetry art of which state?
[A] Assam
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Uttarakhand
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Assam]
Notes:
‘Putola Nach’ is a traditional form of string puppetry, practised in the state of Assam. It has become a near-forgotten art form.
Recently, an Assam based trust ARMT has created three short videos using string puppetry for creating mass awareness on COVID appropriate behaviour. This project was undertaken in association with UNICEF- Assam.
