Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Aadi Perukku is a traditional festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu on the 18th day of the Tamil month of Aadi. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Amman and celebrates the importance of water for agriculture and prosperity. Devotees offer prayers on riverbanks and near water bodies, especially along the Cauvery River. Major celebrations take place in Tiruchirappalli (Tiruchi) and Dharmapuri.

Notes:
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has approved ₹10 crore for the restoration of the historic Rattan Garh Fort. The fort is an 18th-century monument located in Bhaderwah and is being restored to promote heritage and cultural tourism in the Chenab Valley. Rattan Garh Fort is located in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. Bhaderwah, where the fort is situated, is part of the Chenab Valley region.

Notes:
Gunner Burkill’s Tomb is a colonial-era monument located in Jhansi district, Uttar Pradesh. It was recently delisted from the list of centrally protected monuments through a Central Government Gazette notification. Following delisting, the monument no longer comes under the conservation and protection mandate of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Other Uttar Pradesh sites reportedly delisted include the Telia Nala Buddhist ruins in Varanasi and an ancient Banyan grove in Ghazipur. Archaeological Survey of India functions under the Ministry of Culture and it is responsible for the protection and conservation of centrally protected monuments.

Notes:
The Department of Posts launched a special postal cover and stamp commemorating the historic Medak Fort. It is located in Medak district, Telangana. The fort dates back to the 12th century and was built during the reign of Kakatiya king Prataparudra. Originally known as Methuku Durgam, it served as an important military command post and lookout point. The initiative aims to highlight the fort’s historical heritage and tourism potential.

Notes:
The Indian Army organised ‘Adab Aur Saqafat – Literary Festival 2026’ in Kargil, Ladakh. The festival was held at GDC Kargil under the theme “Celebrating the Culture of Ladakh Highland.” It aimed to celebrate Ladakh’s literary heritage, cultural traditions, language, folklore and artistic identity. Local poets and writers presented literary papers and creative works, providing a platform to showcase Kargil’s cultural traditions. The festival also encouraged young people to preserve and promote Ladakh’s heritage through interaction with distinguished literary personalities.

Notes:
The 2nd edition of the Suru Festival was inaugurated at Damsna picnic spot in Kargil, Ladakh. The two-day festival is set against the backdrop of the Nun-Kun peaks. It showcases the cultural heritage, natural beauty, tourism potential and adventure activities of Suru Valley. Major attractions include paragliding, river rafting, cycling, angling and cultural programmes. The festival aims to promote tourism, local entrepreneurship and adventure activities in the Suru Valley.

Notes:
The Gollalagudi (Gollala Gudi) Temple at Palampet has been declared a Monument of National Importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958. The temple is located in Mulugu district, Telangana, near the famous Ramappa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It represents the architectural and cultural heritage of the Kakatiya dynasty. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the Ministry of Culture will oversee its conservation and preservation.

Notes:
Lakkundi is an ancient heritage center situated in the Gadag district of Karnataka. It is highly renowned for its stepwells (locally known as Kalyanis) and transitional Deccan-style temples built during the rule of the Western Chalukyas (Kalyana-Chalukyas) between the 10th and 12th centuries CE. Recently, a LiDAR-based geospatial survey was initiated here to discover buried archaeological structures. It houses several major monuments, including the famous Kasivisvesvara temple, showcasing the architectural transition of the Kalyana Chalukya dynasty.

Notes:
The historic Shekhawati Havelis of Rajasthan have been added to UNESCO’s Tentative List, marking a step towards their possible inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The listed havelis are located across 14 places, including Alsisar, Churu, Fatehpur, Jhunjhunu, Mandawa, Nawalgarh and Sikar. Shekhawati Havelis are famous for their colourful fresco paintings, distinctive architecture and cultural heritage. Their paintings provide insights into Rajasthan’s artistic traditions and social and cultural life. The inclusion is expected to promote heritage conservation and tourism in the Shekhawati region.

Notes:
A proposal to issue a commemorative postage stamp on Gooty Fort in Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, has reached the final approval stage. Gooty Fort is one of the largest forts in Andhra Pradesh and is an important example of the region’s historical heritage. The fort has been a centrally protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) since 1921. It reflects the history of several ruling powers, including the Chalukyas, Vijayanagara Empire, Mughals, Marathas and British. Its important features include multi-level ramparts, bastions, ancient pathways and water-management systems.