Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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The Lakkundi temples in the Gadag district of Karnataka are set to be finalized for UNESCO’s tentative listing as World Heritage Sites. Lakkundi, historically referred to as ‘Lokki Gundi’ in ancient inscriptions, was built during the reign of the Kalyana Chalukyas or Western Chalukyas. The village is home to over 50 ancient temples and 101 stepped wells, known as Kalyani. The Kasi Vishwanatha Temple is the most ornate and elaborately furnished among them. Lakkundi is also an important Jain center, with a significant Jain temple dedicated to Mahavira, which is one of the largest and oldest Jain shrines in the area.

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At least six people died and more than 70 were injured in a tragic stampede during the annual Lairai Jatra procession at Shree Lairai Devi Temple in Shirgaon, North Goa. The Lairai Devi Temple, located in Shirgao village, is dedicated to Goddess Lairai, believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. The temple is significant to both local Hindus and Catholics, who regard Lairai Devi and the Virgin Mary of Mapusa as sisters. The Lairai Jatra includes a fire-walking ritual where devotees walk across embers, believing the righteous will be protected. The tragedy occurred during the late-night procession and ritual celebrations.

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The fifth State-level Shirui Lily Festival 2025 is scheduled to take place in Ukhrul district, Manipur, from May 20 to 24. It is the first State-level festival in Manipur since violence erupted in May 2023. The festival is organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of Manipur. It aims to raise awareness about the endangered Shirui Lily, scientifically known as Lilium mackliniae, the State flower of Manipur. The flower blooms only at Shirui Kashong (Shirui Peak) in Shirui village, around 95 km from the State capital Imphal. The festival promotes sustainable tourism and honours Manipur’s natural heritage.

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The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has recently asked for revisions to the excavation report submitted by the archaeologist who led the Keezhadi project. The Keezhadi excavation site is near Madurai in Tamil Nadu, on the banks of the Vaigai River. It is a major Sangam-era settlement dating from the 5th century BCE to the 3rd century CE. The site reveals a well-planned, literate, and craft-based urban society. Keezhadi suggests that South India had early urbanisation independent of North Indian cultures. It is considered one of Tamil Nadu’s most important archaeological discoveries after Adichanallur.

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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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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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Recently, the Kheer Bhawani festival was celebrated on Jyeshta Ashtami at the Kheer Bhawani Temple in Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir. The temple is located near Srinagar and is dedicated to Goddess Ragnya Devi, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. It was originally built by Maharaja Pratap Singh around 1912 and later renovated by Maharaja Hari Singh. At the centre of the temple is a sacred hexagonal spring, known for its holy water. The temple and the festival are named after the sweet dish ‘kheer’, which is served as prasad to the devotees.

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An 800-year-old Shiva temple of the later Pandya period was recently discovered at Udampatti village in Melur taluk, Madurai district, Tamil Nadu. The Pandya dynasty was an ancient Tamil dynasty that flourished during the Sangam Age. It was one of the Three Crowned Kings of Tamilakam along with the Chola and Chera dynasties. The Early Pandyas ruled from at least the 4th century BCE and their rule lasted till the first half of the 16th century CE.

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A ‘Maha Kumbhabhishekam’, a grand ritual for temple purification and consecration, was recently performed at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala after 270 years. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is one of the most revered Hindu temples in India. The city’s name, Thiruvananthapuram, means “The City of Lord Ananta” in Malayalam, referring to the deity of this temple.

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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.