Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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Archaeologists have recently discovered prehistoric tools from the Lower Paleolithic age at Mangar Bani, highlighting its ancient human presence. Mangar Bani is a sacred grove and Paleolithic site located in the Aravalli hills on the Delhi-Haryana border. It lies within the only primary forest in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), meaning the forest is largely untouched by human activities and contains native tree species. Evidence shows continuous human occupation from around 100,000 years before present (BP) to 1000 AD. The site also has rock shelters and ancient rock and cave paintings estimated to be 20,000 to 40,000 years old.

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After 12 years, the Pushkar Kumbh Mela began in Uttarakhand on May 15, 2025, inaugurated by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at Keshav Prayag in Mana village. The Mela is held at the sacred confluence of the Alaknanda and Saraswati rivers, attracting many Vaishnavite devotees, especially from South India. It is celebrated when Jupiter enters Gemini, a rare astrological event believed to purify the soul and grant moksha (liberation). Mana village holds historical importance as the place where Maharishi Ved Vyas lived and where saints Ramanujacharya and Madhvacharya received divine wisdom. The Uttarakhand government has improved pedestrian pathways, added bilingual signs, and deployed police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams for pilgrim safety. Unlike larger Kumbh Melas, this one offers a peaceful and personal spiritual experience, strengthening north-south spiritual ties and continuing until May 26, 2025.

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A rare Kannada inscription was discovered in Haveri, Karnataka, dating back to 18th August 1539 CE. It records a mass humanitarian disaster due to “bara” (drought), resulting in 6,307 deaths. This is India’s earliest known inscription that explicitly mentions the human toll of a natural disaster. The deceased were buried with respects paid to God Basaveshwara. Inscriptions are historical texts carved on stone or metal to record important events, decrees, or donations. This finding gives rare insight into how ancient societies documented and responded to climate-related tragedies.

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In the lead-up to International Yoga Day 2025 on June 21, the Union Territory of Ladakh will host a week-long event called Ladakh’s Biggest International Festival of Yoga and Meditation. It will be held from June 15 to 21 at scenic spots like Pangong Lake, Shanti Stupa, Sindhu Ghat on the Indus River, and Nubra Valley. The final celebration will take place at the Astro Turf Stadium, the highest football stadium in India, with civil and defence participants. The event is being organized by the Ladakh Administration and Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre. Themes include Harit Yoga, Samavesh Yoga, and Yoga Unplugged, guided by the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH). A seminar on Unplugged Yoga will be conducted with the University of Ladakh.

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Prime Minister recently visited the Karni Mata Temple in Rajasthan. The temple is located in Bikaner district, Rajasthan. It is dedicated to Karni Mata, believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga. The temple was established by Rao Jaitasi to celebrate the victory of the Bikaner King over Mughal King Kumaran. It belongs to the Shakta Sampradaya, a religious sect devoted to Goddess worship. The temple is unique worldwide because thousands of rats freely move inside it.

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Artists of Madhubani and Gond art recently met President Droupadi Murmu under the Artists-in-Residence Programme – Kala Utsav at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Gond art is practiced by the Pardhan Gond tribes from Madhya Pradesh and nearby Central Indian states. It is a tribal art form linked to storytelling and rituals, originally painted on home walls showing folk tales and nature. Madhubani art, also known as Mithila painting, originates from the Mithila region of Bihar. It is a traditional folk art made mostly by women on walls and floors during special occasions.

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Kerala’s Agriculture Minister recently inaugurated the Njattadi Festival, also known as the Sapling Festival, marking its cultural and agricultural significance. Njattadi is a traditional festival celebrated by farming communities in Kerala to welcome the paddy cultivation season. The word “Njattadi” comes from “Njattuvela”, a term in the Malayalam calendar that indicates the best time for sowing rice seeds. This festival is not just about farming but also celebrates Kerala’s heritage with folk songs like Vanchipattu and Njattu Pattu, along with traditional dances. It reflects the deep link between agriculture, tradition, and seasonal rhythms in Kerala.

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Lucknow, the cultural capital of Uttar Pradesh, is famous for its architecture, poetry, etiquette, and especially its culinary heritage. The city’s rich food culture is now gaining global attention with its nomination for UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network (UCCN) under the Gastronomy category. If selected, Lucknow will become only the second Indian city after Hyderabad to be honored in the gastronomy field.

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Recently, a rare 15th-century antique lamp with Shaiva (Lord Shiva) and Vaishnavaite (Lord Vishnu) carvings was discovered at the Anantapadmanabha temple in Perduru, Udupi district, Karnataka. Historian T. Murugeshi confirmed it was donated by Basavannaras Banga in 1456 Common Era, based on a stone inscription inside the temple. The lamp has two faces with detailed narrative sculptures. One face shows Lord Shiva as Nataraja performing Pralaya Tandava, with Parvati, Ganapati, Bringi, Khadga Ravana, and Kumara. The second face shows Brahma, Indra, Anantapadmanabha, Agni, and Varuna, describing gods praying to Lord Anantapadmanabha to calm Shiva’s destructive dance.

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Recently, the Bonalu festival, one of Telangana’s most important traditional celebrations, began on June 26, 2025, at Sri Jagadambika Ammavari Temple in the historic Golconda Fort. Bonalu honours Goddess Mahakali, seen as the symbol of strength and protection. Thousands of devotees from Hyderabad and Secunderabad will join the celebrations over several weeks. The festival started with the golden bonam, a sacred offering to the goddess, marking the rituals of Ashada Masam, the Ashada month.