Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the redeveloped five-century-old Tripura Sundari Temple at Udaipur, Gomati district. The temple, built in 1501 by Maharaj Dhanya Manikya Bahadur, is one of the 51 Shaktipeethas and a major pilgrimage site. The redevelopment project cost Rs 52 crore, mainly funded under the PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive) scheme of the Ministry of Tourism, with Rs 7 crore from the state government. The project added replicas of all 51 Shaktipeethas, stalls, halls, dormitories, Prasad ghar, a museum, food court, parking, and other amenities. The revamp aims to boost tourism and strengthen Tripura’s cultural heritage.

Notes:
A new geoarchaeological study shows that Egypt’s Karnak Temple complex was originally built on an island amid Nile floods and later became a major sacred center. The Karnak Temple complex is located in Luxor, Egypt, on the east bank of the Nile River. It was constructed between 2055 BC and 100 AD as a cult temple dedicated to the gods Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. It is the largest religious building ever built and was called “The Most Select of Places” by ancient Egyptians. Along with Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings, it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Notes:
Devaragattu Banni Utsavam in Holagunda Mandal, Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh witnessed violence, leaving two devotees dead and over 100 injured. The crowd surged over 2 lakh, attracting devotees from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. Devaragattu Banni Utsavam is an ancient festival celebrated in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh. This ancient festival culminates on the night of Vijaya Dasami (Dussehra) and features a ritualistic stick fight where thousands of devotees, divided into groups, carry sticks and clash with them in a symbolic battle to claim the idol of the deity.

Notes:
Archaeologists in southeastern Turkey discovered a 12,000-year-old T-shaped pillar with a carved human face at Karahantepe, Turkey. It was announced in October 2025 as part of the Taş Tepeler (Stone Hills) Project, which studies early human settlements and spiritual practices. Previously, T-shaped limestone pillars had symbolic arm and hand carvings, but no full human face had been found. The pillar shows deeply carved eyes, broad nose, and sharp facial lines, representing personalized human depiction.

Notes:
UNESCO recently launched the Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects at the MONDIACULT 2025 conference. It is a digital platform reconnecting communities with their stolen cultural treasures. The project aims to create the first virtual immersive reality museum of stolen cultural objects globally. It raises public awareness about illicit trafficking of cultural property and aids in recovery of stolen objects. The museum is financially supported by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and developed in collaboration with INTERPOL. It currently displays around 240 missing objects from 46 countries. From India, it features two 9th-century sandstone sculptures from Mahadev Temple, Pali, Chhattisgarh.

Notes:
The Bathou religion of the Bodo community in Assam has been officially given a separate code in the upcoming national census. Bathouism is the indigenous faith of the Bodos, mainly in Assam and parts of North Bengal, forming a key part of their cultural identity. The term “Bathou” means “Five Principles”, representing Ha (Earth), Dwi (Water), Or (Fire), Bar (Air), and Okhrang (Sky). The religion focuses on nature worship, maintaining balance between humans and the environment through household and community rituals. Sacred Sijou plants and elemental symbols are central to Bathou practices.

Notes:
Tihar, a five-day Hindu festival, is mainly celebrated in Nepal. The second day of the festival is called Kukur Tihar, which means “day of the dogs.” On this day, dogs are worshipped and honoured with flower garlands, tika on their foreheads, and special food offerings. In Nepalese belief, dogs are considered messengers of Yamraj, the god of death. The ritual is performed to appease Yamraj and seek protection and blessings. The festival symbolises respect for animals and the bond between humans and dogs.

Notes:
The Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum is part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project. It will be the world’s largest museum, with the first gallery opening in one year and full completion in 36 months. The museum will be developed through Adaptive Reuse, in collaboration with France, known for projects like the Louvre, Grand Palais, and Hôtel de la Marine. It involves transforming the North and South Blocks into museum spaces. The museum will showcase India’s civilizational and cultural heritage, celebrating the nation’s timeless history, present, and future vision.

Notes:
Recently, archaeologists discovered a 4,000-year-old temple on Failaka Island in Kuwait, linked to the ancient Dilmun Civilization. The Dilmun Civilization, also known as Telmun, flourished in the eastern Arabian Peninsula. Its main centers were the islands of Bahrain and Failaka Island in Kuwait. It also extended to regions of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and the Iranian coast along the Persian Gulf. Dilmun was a powerful Bronze Age trading hub connecting Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. Though ancient and influential, it is less known than major early civilizations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus Valley, and Yellow River.

Notes:
UNESCO has declared Lucknow a “Creative City of Gastronomy” at its 43rd General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Lucknow becomes the second Indian city after Hyderabad to earn this title. The recognition highlights Lucknow’s rich culinary heritage, from royal kitchens to street food. The Uttar Pradesh Directorate of Tourism submitted the nomination on January 31, 2025, and the Government of India approved it on March 3, 2025. The official UNESCO announcement came on October 31, 2025. The UNESCO tag aims to boost culinary tourism, support local food entrepreneurs, and promote sustainable practices.