Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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Etor Gidi is a traditional agro-based festival celebrated by the Adi community in Arunachal Pradesh. The festival is observed at the beginning of the farming season, usually in mid-May. It is associated with agricultural rituals, communal participation, and village customs. During the festival, villagers collectively repair and strengthen fences around agricultural fields. The practice reflects cooperation, field protection, and shared agricultural responsibility within the community.

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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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Rupa Tarakasi, the famous silver filigree craft of Cuttack, is facing challenges due to rising silver prices and new import restrictions on silver. Rupa Tarakasi is a centuries-old art form known for delicate silver wire craftsmanship and intricate designs. In Odia, “tara” means wire and “kasi” means to design or work with wire. The craft is believed to have existed since the 12th century and received strong patronage during the Mughal period. The craft received a Geographical Indication Tag in 2024, recognising its cultural and traditional importance.

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A recent fire damaged part of the Daishoin Temple complex, including the Reikado Hall that housed Japan’s “eternal flame” for nearly 1,200 years. Daishoin Temple is a Buddhist temple of the Shingon School located on Miyajima Island in Japan’s Chugoku region. The temple lies at the base of Mount Misen, the tallest mountain on the island.
It was founded in 806 by Kobo Daishi after returning from China. The temple complex is known for its numerous halls, statues, and religious structures.

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Recently, concerns were raised over deforestation of more than 60 hectares of land near Karnala Fort in Maharashtra without prior approval from the Union Government. Karnala Fort, also known as Funnel Hill, is a historic hill fort located in Raigad District, Maharashtra. The fort is situated within the Karnala Bird Sanctuary in the Sahyadri region. Karnala Fort overlooks the historic Bor Pass, an important trade route that connected the Konkan coast with the interior regions of Maharashtra.

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Recently, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) removed walls built inside the main gopuram of the Virupaksha Temple at Hampi. The Virupaksha Temple, also known as Pampapathi Temple, is dedicated to Lord Virupaksha (Shiva). It is located in Hampi, Karnataka, on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra River. The temple is part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986.

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Archaeologists recently discovered remains of a 12th-century hydraulic system and architectural structures within the ancient royal palace complex of Angkor Thom in Cambodia. Angkor Thom is located in Cambodia within the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap province. It was the last and longest-lasting capital of the ancient Khmer Empire. Angkor Thom was established in the late 12th century by Jayavarman VII.

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The traditional Thewa Art recently gained international attention when Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Thewa motif cufflinks to Slovakia President Peter Pellegrini during his visit to Slovakia. Thewa is a nearly 400-year-old craft originating in Pratapgarh, Rajasthan. It involves intricate engravings in 23-carat gold embedded on coloured glass. The art traces its origins to the Mughal era and has been preserved through generations of artisans. Thewa is recognized as one of India’s finest traditional handicrafts and supports artisan livelihoods while showcasing India’s cultural heritage globally.

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A unique Shivling, hidden for centuries, was recently discovered in the Amrit Kund inside the Trimbakeshwar Temple complex in Nashik, Maharashtra. The Trimbakeshwar Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
It is located at Trimbak village in Nashik district, Maharashtra, near Brahmagiri Hill, the origin of the Godavari River. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of India.
The temple is mentioned in the Shiva Purana, Skanda Purana, and Padma Purana.

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The 12th-century Abathsahayeswarar Temple at Thukkachi, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, has received the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award of Distinction (2024) for outstanding heritage conservation. The temple is a later Chola-period Hindu shrine, showcasing the architectural excellence of the Chola dynasty. It is recognised as a living historic temple, as it continues to function as an active place of worship while being protected as a heritage monument.