Current Context : The Union Cabinet recently approved the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal, Gujarat. Aim: To preserve, promote, and present India’s rich maritime legacy to both national and international audiences. Goal: To generate economic growth through cultural tourism, creating over 22,000 jobs. Boost researchand education in maritime history and archaeology. It will be completed in two phases : Phase 1A: Underway, includes a main museum, aquatic gallery, and warship exhibits. Phase 1B: Will include the world’s tallest Lighthouse Museum, theme parks, and state pavilions. Lothal is a site from the Indus Valley Civilization, was a major maritime trade hub....Read More

Current Context : Tribal community’s one of the biggest festivals 'Karam', was celebrated with traditional fervour in Jharkhand. ABOUT KARAM FESTIVAL : Karam Festival (also known as Karma Festival) Celebrated in Assam, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal. Celebrated by : Baiga, Oraon, Binjhwari, Munda, Majhwar, Ho, Khortha, and Korba tribe. Significance : Marks the beginning of the harvest season and is associated with agricultural fertility. Cultural Importance : The tribals worship the Karam tree on the occasion and pray to Mother Nature to ensure a rich harvest in the kharif season.Read More

Current Context : 10-Day Onam Festival started with Atham In Kerala.  About Atham : This is the first day of Onam, which begins with the Athachamayam parade. From this day onwards, the “Pookalam” (flower decorations) in the houses begin. ABOUT ONAM FESTIVAL Onam is a major annual festival celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala, marking the harvest season and the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali. Celebrated to honor King Mahabali, a revered figure in Kerala’s mythology who is believed to visit his people during Onam. The festival lasts for ten days, with the main festivities taking place on....Read More

Current Context : Thanjavur Veena is the first musical instrument in the country to get the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu is famed for being the hub of making the instrument. ABOUT THANJAVUR VEENA The Thanjavur Veena, an ancient and revered musical instrument, holds a special place in the rich cultural tapestry of India. There are four types of veena. Rudra veena and Vichitra veena are popular in Hindustani classical music. Saraswati veena and Chitra veena are used in Carnatic classical music. Thanjavur is the only place where Saraswati veena is made. Saraswati, the goddess of learning....Read More

Current Context : The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) hosted the 17th Divya Kala Mela in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Fair showcased the diverse range of products and services produced by 100 Divyang artisans, artists, and entrepreneurs from over 20 states and union territories. Aim : to empower Divyangjans with disabilities by providing them with a platform to showcase their talents and creativity. It will also provide an opportunity for the public to come together and experience the unique culture of Divyangjani products.Read More

Current Context : The Moidams in eastern Assam, a 700-year-old mound-burial system of the Ahom dynasty added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List. It became the first cultural site from the Northeast to the list and the third World Heritage Property from Assam, following Kaziranga National Park and Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, both inscribed under the Natural category in 1985. This makes 43rd property from India to added in UNESCO World Heritage list. India stands at the 6th position globally for the most number of World Heritage Properties ABOUT MOIDAMS A moidam is a tumulus, a mound of earth raised over a....Read More

Current Context : The government of India under Ministry of Culture has initiated the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM). OBJECTIVES OF NMCM: To raise awareness about the strengths of cultural heritage and its role in development and cultural identity. Cultural Mapping of5 Lakh villages including their geographical, demographic profiles, and cultural capitals. Creation of National Registers of Artists and Art practices. Development of a web portal and mobile app to function as a National Cultural Work Place (NCWP). Aim : to cover all the inhabited villages of India which is marked as ‘village’, in the Census List, 2011 published....Read More

Current Context : Sawan officially begins (July 16th) with the lively Harela festival celebrated throughout Uttarakhand. This traditional celebration, which symbolises wealth and well-being, is very important to the area's agriculture and culture. About Festival : Harela, which translates to "day of greenery," is celebrated in the fifth month of the lunar calendar. It honours Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati while highlighting the link between wealth and flora, which is particularly dear to the Kumaon community. Prior to the onset of Sawan, a dikori (sacred pot) was chosen for sowing Harela seeds. Over nine days, wheat, barley, and other seeds....Read More

Magji Ladoo (Odisha's Dhenkanal district), one of the ‘chappan bhog’ prasad at Shree Jagannath Temple got Geographical Indication (GI) Tag. ABOUT SHREE JAGANNATH TEMPLE : The Jagannath Temple is an important Hindu temple dedicated to Jagannath, or Lord Vishnu in Puri, Odisha. It is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites in India. The other three Dham are Badrinath, Dwarka, and Rameswaram. Architecture style: Kalinga Architecture The temple stands in the center of an inner courtyard on a high-raised platform. It has four components: Vimana or Deula (Garbhagriha): Built in style of nagara type Rekha deula characterized by curvilinear tower....Read More

Current Context : Recently, Second phase of construction of the “world’s largest Ramayan temple” began in East Champaran district of Bihar. About Temple : With a length of 1080 feet, Viraat Ramayan Mandir will be three times bigger than the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Being built at a cost of ₹500 crore. The architecture of the temple is inspired by the Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the Ramanathaswamy temple at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, and the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple in Madurai. Area 3.76 lakh sq.ft. Temple will house a 33-foot-tall Shivling in the arghya (sanctum sanctorum) world’s largest shivling. The temple....Read More