Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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The 51st Khajuraho Dance Festival in Madhya Pradesh set a Guinness World Record. 139 artists performed a classical dance marathon for 24 hours, 9 minutes, and 26 seconds. The Guinness team certified the record and presented the certificate to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. The event was organized by the MP Department of Culture.

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A 4,000-year-old Neolithic wooden circle was discovered in Denmark, similar to Stonehenge. It consists of 45 wooden piles arranged in a 30-meter diameter, likely for rituals or sun worship. A nearby Bronze Age (1700–1500 BCE) settlement included a chieftain’s grave and a bronze sword. The Bronze Age (2000–700 BCE) was when people widely used bronze tools. The discovery suggests cultural links between Denmark and Britain through shared artifacts. Stonehenge (3100–1600 BCE) in England is a prehistoric monument with massive stone circles.

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Auroville recently celebrated its 57th anniversary with bonfire meditation at the Matrimandir Amphitheatre. It is an experimental international township in Tamil Nadu, near Pondicherry, with residents from over 60 countries. It was founded by Mirra Alfassa (‘The Mother’) on February 28, 1968, as an international cultural township. It was designed by architect Roger Anger, it is the world’s largest and oldest intentional community. Auroville has transformed from barren land into a 3,000-acre green township with biodiversity, schools, and social enterprises. UNESCO endorsed Auroville through resolutions in 1966, 1968, 1970, and 1983. It is administered by the Ministry of Education under the Auroville Foundation Act, 1988.

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Supreme Court directed Forest Research Institute (FRI) to conduct a tree census in the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ). TTZ covers 10,400 sq km around the Taj Mahal to protect it from pollution. It includes three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri. 1996 Supreme Court ruling banned coal/coke use in TTZ industries, mandating a switch to natural gas or relocation. Centre formed TTZ Pollution Prevention Authority under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. TTZ has four zones: Red, Green, Orange, and White.

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The Jalanatheswarar Temple in Thakkolam, Ranipet district, Tamil Nadu, is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Jalantheeswarar, represented by a sand lingam known as Theenda Thirumeni. The temple was originally built by the Pallavas and later expanded by the Cholas, with its current structure dating back to the 16th-century Nayak period. It covers 1.5 acres, featuring a three-tiered gopuram and granite walls. It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, glorified in the Tevaram hymns by Tamil Saivite Nayanars like Sambandar.

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Hola Mohalla is an important festival for the Sikh community which is celebrated after Holi.   This festival promotes unity, bravery and brotherhood. The festival was organized in Roopnagar district, with the first three days in Kiratpur Sahib and the last three days in Anandpur Sahib. This festival includes processions, sports and cultural programs.

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The Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs in Telangana’s Narayanpet district, dating back 3,500 to 4,000 years, are now on India’s Tentative UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. Menhirs are large upright standing stones, often part of megalithic burial or ritual sites. They are found in Europe, Africa, and Asia, with the highest concentration in Western Europe. Menhirs vary in size, shape, and arrangement, including circles, semicircles, and parallel rows. The Carnac Stones in France, with 2,935 menhirs, is the most famous alignment. Some menhirs have engravings linked to fertility rites and seasonal cycles. Megaliths are stone structures used as burial sites or memorials.

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Bagad Rath Yatra is a vibrant festival in Wai, Maharashtra, celebrated on Rang Panchami. It honors Lord Bhairavnath with a unique ritual where a devotee, ‘Bagadya,’ is suspended from a tall wooden chariot. The festival symbolizes community unity and deep-rooted cultural traditions. It has a 350-year-old history, showcasing seamless collaboration among participants. Powerful invocations and rituals reflect the strength and inspiration drawn from cultural heritage. The festival’s demanding tasks appear effortless due to devotion and collective spirit.

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Goa is celebrating the Shigmo Festival from March 15 to March 29. This two-week cultural event marks the arrival of spring in the Konkan region with colorful parades, folk dances, and cultural performances. Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte highlighted its cultural importance as part of Goa’s heritage alongside Carnival. The festival, also called Shigmotsav, is a Hindu celebration coinciding with Phalgun, the month of spring. It is celebrated across 18 constituencies in Goa, honoring both cultural and spiritual traditions.

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Bithoor Mahotsav was held in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, from 21st to 23rd March 2025. It is an annual festival celebrated at Bithoor, a place with historical and mythological significance. The festival highlights the Revolution of 1857 through imagery, theatre, music, drama, and cultural performances. The 2025 edition focused on the shared culture and historical heritage of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.