Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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The sacred Piprahwa Relics of Gautam Buddha were recently brought to Leh, marking a major spiritual event in the region. These relics were originally discovered in 1898 at Piprahwa Stupa in Uttar Pradesh by William Claxton Peppé. They include bone fragments believed to belong to Buddha, along with crystal caskets, gold ornaments, and gemstones. An inscription in Brahmi script links the relics to the Sakya clan, confirming their historical authenticity. The Piprahwa site is associated with ancient Kapilavastu. The recent transfer of relics to Ladakh highlights their continuing religious, cultural, and diplomatic significance in Buddhism.

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Preah Vihear Temple is a historic Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Preah Vihear Province of Cambodia. It stands atop a cliff in the Dangrek Mountains along the Cambodia–Thailand border, giving it strategic importance. It was built during the Khmer Empire (11th–12th century), it was developed by kings Suryavarman I and Suryavarman II. The temple was used for over 800 years by Angkor rulers. Later, it gradually transformed into a Buddhist site with added decorations. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. Recently, tensions and clashes have again emerged between both countries over control of the temple.

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The annual Mahua flower festival, known as ‘Ippa Puvvu Panduga’, is celebrated in Telangana. The festival takes place in Jamidi village of Narnoor mandal in Adilabad district. It is usually observed during April–May, coinciding with the Mahua flower harvest season. The festival highlights the cultural and economic importance of the Mahua tree for tribal communities. It is mainly celebrated by the Gond and other Adivasi communities. Mahua flowers are used for food products, traditional beverages, and medicinal purposes. The event is organised by tribal organisations and local leaders.

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Udayan Fort is a historic site dating back nearly 2,500 years to the era of the Vatsa Mahajanapada. It is located in Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh, on the banks of the Yamuna River. The fort is associated with King Udayana, one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas. King Udayana was known for his military strength, diplomacy, and patronage of culture. The fort is now set for restoration to preserve its historical and cultural significance.

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Somnath Amritparv-2026 began on 9th May in Gujarat to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the reconstruction of Somnath Temple. The five-day celebration has attracted devotees from across India with Vedic rituals and spiritual ceremonies. Somnath Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located at Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Gujarat. It is considered the first among the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva in India.

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The annual Ooty Flower Festival has begun at the Government Botanical Garden in Ooty, Tamil Nadu. The 128th Flower Show is one of Tamil Nadu’s major summer attractions and will continue until May 28. The festival features floral displays, heritage-themed installations, and more than one million flower saplings. The Rose Show at the Government Rose Garden is also part of the summer celebrations. The festival aims to boost tourism in the Nilgiris region.

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Nimapara Patha Utsav 2026 was inaugurated in Nimapara, Puri district of Odisha. The festival promotes traditional Odia folk arts, youth participation, sports, public awareness campaigns, and regional development. The event is organised under the “Utkarsha Nimapara 2.0” programme. Students, artists, local residents, and youth groups actively participated in the festival.

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Kumbhalgarh Fort in Rajasthan was recently recognised by UNESCO surveys as having the world’s second-longest surviving wall after the Great Wall of China. It was built in the 15th century by Rana Kumbha, the fort is located in the Aravalli Hills and was an important military stronghold of Mewar. Its massive wall stretches over 36 kilometres, giving it the title “Great Wall of India.” The fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the Hill Forts of Rajasthan.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a Rogan painting featuring the “Tree of Life” motif to UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Rogan Painting is a rare and traditional textile art form from the Kutch region of Gujarat. Rogan art is created using a special paint made from castor oil and natural pigments. The “Tree of Life” motif symbolises growth, harmony, and interconnectedness in traditional art.

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Odisha has launched a revival plan for the traditional Bomkai Saree weaving tradition in Ganjam district. The project is titled “Revival of Languishing Products (Cotton Bomkai Saree)” and is implemented by the state’s Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department. Bomkai weaving is traditionally associated with Bomkai village in Ganjam district and also with Subarnapur. The revival initiative includes documentation of traditional motifs, colour patterns, and weaving techniques.