Current Context: The Kaliyattam Festival, also known as Theyyam, is celebrated during the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February-March) in Kerala, showcasing ritual dance performances and cultural heritage. About: Significance: The festival honors Goddess Kali and is recognized as part of Kerala’s intangible cultural heritage. Celebration Sites: Conducted in Kavus (sacred groves) and tharavadus (ancestral homes). Rituals: Performers are believed to embody deities, referred to as the "dance of gods." Cultural Importance: Highlights Kerala’s traditional art forms and spiritual practices.Read More

The Bagad Yatra, a centuries-old festival, is being celebrated in Bavadhan village, Satara district, Maharashtra. Key Details Date: Held annually on Phalgun Krishna Paksha Panchami (fifth day of the waning moon in Phalgun month). Unique Rituals: Devotees participate by hanging from hooks on a high post, symbolizing faith and dedication. Participants fast for 5 days, consume only neem leaves on the festival day, and abstain from water. Bagad (Chariot): Weighs 2-3 tons, made of acacia wood, and features stone wheels and intricate craftsmanship. The "Aladandi" (pole) is made of sandalwood. Drawn exclusively by Khillar bullocks. Cultural Significance: Celebrated for over....Read More

The Ministry of Tourism is actively promoting Buddhist Tourism in India through the Swadesh Darshan (SD) Scheme and PRASHAD Scheme. About Buddhist Circuit Recognized as one of the thematic circuits under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. 1st Asian Buddhist Summit (ABS) was held in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), New Delhi to enhance religious and cultural cooperation. Buddhist Tourism & Development Initiatives Swadesh Darshan Scheme (SD) Launched: 2014-15. Objective: Integrated development of thematic tourist circuits across India. Funding: Provides financial assistance to State Governments/UTs for infrastructure development. PRASHAD Scheme (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive) Launched: 2014-15. Objective:....Read More

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the first grand temple dedicated to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Bhiwandi, Thane. About the Temple Designed by architect Vijaykumar Patil, covering 2,500 sq. ft. with a 5,000 sq. ft. fort-like boundary. Features a 6.5-foot statue of Shivaji Maharaj by Arun Yogiraj (sculptor of the Ram temple idol in Ayodhya). Fort elements include a 42-foot entrance, bastions, and surveillance pathways. 36 sections inside the boundary depict key moments from Shivaji Maharaj’s life. About Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Born in 1627 at Shivneri, he was the founder of the Maratha Empire. Advocated Hindavi Swarajya (self-rule) and national independence.....Read More

Leaders of the Koch-Rajbongshi Sanmilita Joutha Mancha recently submitted a 15-point memorandum to BJP Assam president Dilip Saikia, highlighting their long-pending demands for recognition and welfare. Origin & Identity: An ancient tribe from the Koch Kingdom, also known as Rajbanshi/Rajvanshi, meaning "royal community." Geographical Presence: Found in Lower Nepal, Northern Bengal, North Bihar, Northern Bangladesh, Assam, Meghalaya, and Bhutan—historically part of the Kamata Kingdom. Caste Classification: Classified as OBC in Assam, SC in Bengal, and ST in Meghalaya. Language: Rajbongshi/Rajbanshi language is spoken by 1 crore people (2001 Census) and has a complete grammar. Religion: Predominantly Hindu, with some followers....Read More

The Jadayaswamy Festival was recently celebrated in Tamil Nadu by the Badagas community of the Nilgiris. About Jadayaswamy Festival Community Involved: Celebrated by the Badagas, an aboriginal tribal group in Tamil Nadu. Location: Observed in Jackanarai village near Kotagiri in the Nilgiris district. Significance: Dedicated to Jadayaswamy, a revered deity of the Badagas, symbolizing faith, devotion, and ancestral tradition. Rituals and Traditions Procession & Offerings: Eight villages organize a grand procession to the Jadayaswamy temple. Firewalk Ritual: Devotees perform a firewalk as an act of devotion and endurance. Cultural Significance: The festival preserves Badaga heritage and strengthens community bonds. About....Read More

The Sahitya Akademi, India’s premier literary institution under the Ministry of Culture, is organizing its annual literature festival, Sahityotsav: The Festival of Letters, from March 7 to 12, 2025, in New Delhi. About Sahityotsav 2025 The festival will feature 722 authors, poets, and literary figures from 53 Indian languages across 120 sessions. Theme: Indian Literary Traditions: Heritage and Evolution. Sahitya Akademi Awards: On March 8, 23 award winners will be felicitated. Special Focus Areas: Literature from the Northeast, tribal regions, and LGBTQ+ communities will be highlighted through panel discussions, writer interactions, and book readings. Venues: The festival will take place....Read More

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated "Vantara," a new cultural and tourism hub in Jamnagar, Gujarat. "Vantara" showcases the rich cultural heritage and history of the Saurashtra region, aiming to boost tourism and local economy. The project includes museums, art galleries, and performance centers to promote regional arts and crafts.  Read More

Celebrated by Kashmiri Pandits, Herath marks their unique observance of Mahashivratri, symbolizing the union of Shiva and Parvati.It begins on the 13th day of Phalgun (February/March) and continues until the new moon. Rituals: Families perform Vatuk Pooja, where a kalash with water and walnuts is placed in a sacred space, followed by prayers. Community Aspect: The day after Shiva Chaturdashi, "Salam," signifies harmony between Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims, reflecting the region’s cultural diversity. Historical & Cultural Roots: The festival preserves Kashmir’s spiritual heritage, with the Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar being a key pilgrimage site.Read More

Event & Occasion: Prime Minister to witness the event at Guwahati’s Sarusajai Stadium, celebrating the 200th anniversary of Assam’s tea industry. Cultural Significance: Showcases the traditional jhumur dance of Assam’s tea tribes, brought by 19th-century migrants from Central India. Tea Tribes Background: Comprise multi-ethnic tea garden workers, classified as OBC in Assam, yet striving for Scheduled Tribe status. Festival Elements: Central to tea garden celebrations like Tushu Puja and Karam Puja. Features coordinated dance, traditional music, and songs that narrate the community’s migration and cultural heritage.Read More