Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
In November 2025, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) banned tourist entry into the ‘Nata Mandap’ of the Konark Sun Temple in Puri district, Odisha. The Konark Sun Temple is located on the coastline of Odisha. It is also known as Surya Devalaya and is dedicated to the Hindu Sun God, Surya. Historical texts show that King Narasimha I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty built it around 1250 CE.

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Government of India has granted Geographical Indication (GI) registration to two traditional Lepcha musical instruments — Tungbuk and Pumtong Pulit. The instruments were registered on 5th November 2025 under the Musical Instrument category of the GI Registry. The certificates were presented during the 1st Tribal Business Conclave in New Delhi, organised by the Ministries of Culture, Tribal Affairs, and Commerce & Industry. Tungbuk is a three-string instrument, and Pumtong Pulit is a bamboo flute, both central to Lepcha folk music and spirituality.

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Recently, the Assam Chief Minister went to London to start the process of bringing back the sacred Vrindavani Vastra from the British Museum. Vrindavani Vastra is a 400-year-old Assamese textile depicting Lord Krishna’s childhood stories and divine acts in Vrindavan. It is woven in silk using the complex ‘lampas’ technique that requires two weavers working together. It uses many coloured threads like red, white, black, yellow, and green. It was created under Srimanta Sankardeva on the request of Koch king Nara Narayan. Nara Narayan had sheltered Sankardeva when he was targeted by the Ahom kingdom.

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Himachal Pradesh’s Raulane Festival preserves the ancient faith and traditions of Kinnaur district. It is a 5,000-year-old festival honoring mystical celestial fairies called Saunis. Key ritual involves two men dressed as a symbolic groom (Raula) and bride (Raulane) in traditional Kinnauri woollens. The Raula and Raulane procession moves to Nagin Narayan Temple. They perform a slow, devotional dance symbolizing a connection between humans and the divine. The festival reflects Kinnaur’s rich cultural heritage and enduring spiritual practices.

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Bugle, a traditional military instrument, recently received a GI (Geographical Indication) tag, marking a major revival for Meerut’s century-old craft. Meerut has made bugles since the late 19th century, supplying the Indian Army, paramilitary forces, police units, and academies. Cheap machine-made and imported bugles had earlier pushed artisans into decline due to rising brass prices and falling orders. The GI tag prevented fake instruments from being sold as Meerut bugles and increased their brand value

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Recently, the Sangai Festival in Manipur began amid protests by internally displaced persons (IDPs) and NGOs, which affected public attendance. The festival is celebrated annually in Manipur. It is named after the Sangai, the state animal of Manipur. The festival aims to showcase Manipur’s rich cultural heritage and indigenous traditions. It highlights music, dance and native art forms of various Manipuri tribes and communities. The classical dance form ‘Ras Leela’ is the main attraction of the festival. The theme for 2025 is “Where blossoms breathe harmony.”

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Hilly villages of Garhwal in Uttarakhand celebrate Mangsir Bagwal, a post-Diwali folk festival rooted in agrarian life and local history. It is held in the lunar month of Mangsir (Margashirsha), about one month after Kartik Diwali, marking a delayed festival of lights. The celebration honours Garhwali commander Madho Singh Bhandari, who returned victorious from battle against Tibetan forces after Diwali. The festival coincides with the end of the winter-harvest season, when villagers gather for feasting, music and dance.

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Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) marked World Heritage Week with a heritage walk and clean-up drive at Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur. Brihadeeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Tamil Nadu and is also called Periya Kovil, RajaRajeswara Temple and Rajarajesvaram. It is one of India’s largest temples and a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture from the Chola period. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Great Living Chola Temples”.

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The Chhattisgarh government is preparing the 5th-century Sirpur Archaeological Site for nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Digital exhibits and battery-operated vehicles are being added for eco-friendly tourism. Sirpur is a multi-religious city dating from the 5th to 12th century. It is located on the banks of the Mahanadi River in Mahasamund district near Raipur, Chhattisgarh. It was the capital of Dakshina Kosala under Panduvanshi and Somavamshi rulers.

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The famous Karthigai Deepam festival began at Sri Arunachaleshwar Temple in Tiruvannamalai. The ten-day festival is held during the Tamil month of Karthigai and attracts huge public participation. Karthigai Deepam festival is primarily celebrated in Tamil Nadu.