EXT IA BIG ARNINGS MAD EASY Current Affairs ++ Art & Culture CSE Prelims - 2020Content Architecture& Sculptures. AAsurgarh Fort, Petroglyph Site Sanaul Stucco Sculpture Notre-Dame Cathedral Stonehenge. Chaukhandi Stupa Markandeshwar Temple Jagannath Temple. Sri Brhadeeswarar Temple Poa Hee ROD OO Gandan Tegcheniing Monastery ‘Seven Cultural Sites Insered on UNESCO's World Heritage List 7 Megaithic Sword Unearthed from Rock-Cut Cave in Kozhikode. 8 Suranga Bawadi on World Monument Watch List. Word Capital Of Architecture 10 “The Historic Ensemble of Orca 10 Dance forms and Music. 10 Kolatam: Dance of Devotion 40 Putkal Dance sett Assamese Bhanoa Khon Rama Konyak Dance Painting...... Pattachira painting 12 Karkiyoor Rock Painting Literary Arts. 3 Intemational Year of Indegineous Languages...13 Hind version of Digtal Dilemma 3 First Sanskrit World Conference 4 Gondl Language 4 Mathit Language 4 UNESCO Giotal Goopark Network Status Religious & Cultural Festivals .. 15 Hampi Utsav 18 North and South Korea's Joint Bid for “radiional Wresting 18 ‘The Karmapa and Tibetan Budchism 16 Tawang Monastery 7 Duwiing Festival v Prayagra) Kumbh 7 Kani orkaikkar Tribe 18 Makaraviakku Festival Soason 19 ala Ghoda Arts Festival 19 Boorl Boot Yulo Festival 20 NYE 20 Ramappa Temple 20 Lai Haraoba Festal a Zo Kutpi festival a ‘Char Dham Yatra at ‘Annual Kher Bhawani Meta at Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2 Elophanta Festival 2 ‘Amibubachi Fir 23 Behdiengkhlam Festival 2 Bathukamma Festival 2 Navroz Festival 24 ‘adi Mahotsav 25 Nuakhai Harvest Festiva. 25 International Ramayan Festival 25 ‘Sindhu Darshan Festival 26 Chamiyal Fair 28 ‘Attukal Pongal Festival 28 Republic Day Parade 2020. a Nongkrom Dance Festival aAt & Cure neExT IAS 6. Awards Ashfaq Kan “1 Gandhi Peace Prize. 28 National Education Day 2019 4“ 75° Anniversary of hoisting of Tcaour 28 Statue of Ramannjcharya. 42 Ta9ore Awards 9. Historical Events. Saraswati Samman, 2019, a Important Centenaries and Special ‘54° Jnanpith Award, 30 Anniversaries in 2019, 2 Bharat Ratna Awards 20 Important Events Postindependence 46 UNESCO Heritage Awards 30 Munich Agreement ar DDadaSaheb Phalke Award at “Third Battle of Panipat ar Nobel Peace Prize 2019, a Inds Valley Civilization 48 Nobel Prize fr Literature 2018 3t ‘Sangam Cvisaton... 48 Nobel Prize in Literature 2018, 3t CChalukyan Kings. 49 7. Government Initiatives and Satine Srang nie Semmalan. 5 Schmes. Palka Rebellon 50 Adopt A Hertage Project. at ‘Sadharan Brahmo Sama) s Living History Museum a2 Vakalaka Dynasty Nagardhan Excavation ..u.61 aj Mahal Vision Document 32 Hundred Years Of Jalianwala Bagh Massacre... 52 National Sak Satyagraha Memon 38 Seventy Fith Anniversary of Bate of Kohima... 53 ‘Swadesh Darshan Scheme 28 My. Miscellaneous . ‘Go Trba" Campaign, 36 iran’s Cultural Hertage Zonal Cultural Centres, 35, Mamallapuram. cal ‘Museums for Tribal Freedom Fighters. Earliest Sanskrit inscription in South india......58 Sowa-Rigpa, ve BB Mumbal, Hyderabad included in the ist of National War Memoria 26 Creative Cities by UNESCO 56 a. Peat 36 Neolithic Siva linga discovered 55 sont ts 26 Maua Community 55 Cx a Buddhist Stes Protected 56 Commemorative Con on Skh Guru Gobind Dard Aryans 58 Singh om) Cchhipa Community 58 Contibution of Bhagat Singh Kodavas of Coorg sr Basava Jayant a) CCheneu Tribe a Who was Tyagerja and why is he 30 Poompuhar sr Celebrated? 40 Nai Talim: Gandhian Education System 57 ‘National Unity Day and Sardar Patel 40 ‘Some Spring Festivals of India and their Thiwalwar. at Date in 2020 58At & Culture NEXT IAS ART & CULTURE 1. Architecture& Sculptures Asurgarh Fort Recently, 2,300 years-old artefacts found in Asurgarh Fort located in kalahandi district , Odisha, About: + Archaeologists have unearthed artefacts beleved to be 2,300 year-old while carying out excavation atthe ‘Asurgarh Fortin Odisha’s Kalahandi district. ‘+The items excavated were found to be dating from Mauryan period (322 BCE 185 BCE) to Kushan period (during the frst three centuries ofthe Common Era). The present archaeological work revealed a numberof brick structures. ‘+ Asurgarh people: These findings reveal that these people probably used slone rubbles and tle {fragments for flooring their houses and the streets. ‘+Other artefacts found: Besides, siver punch marked coins, silver and copper tae ring and earrings, beads ‘of coral, carnelian, jasper, beryl, gamet and agat have been found. +The findings of coral beads and imperial variety of siiver punch mark coins strongly indicates about ong distant trade and association of hinterland people with seafaring people Petroglyph Site ‘Andra. Pradesh's second largest petrogiyph site, containing about 80 petroglyhs, has bean discovered at Mokala Benchi in Kurnool dstc. About: ‘+ Mekala Benchi has petroglyphs dating back from the Neoltic to the Megalithic period ‘+ Two boulders, one known locally 8s ‘Boodida Konda! {ash-coloured hil) and the other an unnamed granite hilock, mostly have images of bulls or bulFiing, in ‘addition to human figures, an elephant, tger-tke animals and cupules. +The current archeological site, atthe granite foothills, of Boodida Konda, could possibly be a Neolithic settlement, + Proof of Being a Neolihic Settiomant: Settled vilage life and the fnished stone axe are salient features of the Neolithic age. Neolithic communities settled on top of grantois hils or levelled terraces on hillsides cor on valley floors + Hence, the current archaeological sit, at the granite foothills of Boodida Konda, fis the description of a Neolthic settement. +The present day Gollas and Kurubas (grazing communities), who are predominant in ths region, ‘are the living examples of the fst pastoralists who lived inthis region during Nealthic period, ‘What are Petroglyphs? + Petroglyphs are rock carvings made by pecking rectly on the rock surface using a stone chisel and ‘a hammer stone. When the desert vamish (or patina) fon the surface ofthe rock was chipped of, the lighter rock underneath was exposed, creating the petroalypn, Sanauli ASI unearths treasure at U.P. sito ‘About: + The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is excavating 2 4,000-yearold burial ste in Utar Pradesh’s Sanauli . in westem uttar pradesh's Bagpat dstret ‘+The excavation has unearthed underground "sacred chambers’, decorated “lagged coffins” as well as rice and dal in pots and animal bones buried with the bodies. + Chariots, cofins, shields, swords and helmets have ‘also been unearthed, pointing towards the existence of a warrior clas inthe area around 2,000 BCE,At & Culture NEXT IAS Buddhist relic unearthed ‘A Buddhist relic has been unearthed on the right bank of the Gundlakamma River in Andhva Pradesh, + It's a 9° century A.D artifact belonging to Amravati School of at of Ikshwaku times, ‘+ Its alimestone pillar carved wit half lotus medalions atthe contre and the top on all the four side. ‘+ This pillar might be part of a Shilamandapa where Buddhist teachers offer regular discourses on the Dhamma of the Buddha ‘Amravati school of art ‘+ It flourished in the Andhra region of southeastern India from about the 2nd century BC to the end of the 3rd century AD. + It was patronized by Satavahana rulers and then Ikshwakus, ‘+ [twas developed indigenously and not influenced by external cultures ‘+The sculptures of his school were made using white marbles ‘+ Itwas mainly influenced by Buddhism ‘+ Itis known for its supor® rlifs, which are among the world’s finest examples of narrative sculpture. Stucco Sculpture Archaeologists have excavated a rare life-size stucco Buddhist sculpture (biggest ever found) in Telangana. About Stucco ‘+ It ls a material made from aggregates, binder, and ater. tis applied wet and hardens into avery dense sold. ‘+ Traditional stucco is made of sand, water and lime While Modern stucco is made of sand, water and Portland cement + It ls used as a decorative coating for walls and clings, and as a sculptural and artistic material in architect + As per Puranic iterature, t was founded by king Ikshvake Notre-Dame Cathedral Flames engulfed the 850-year-old gothic masterpiece. ‘About: + Notre-Dame Cathedral or Notre-Dame de Paris is cathedral church in Paris + Ibis the most famous of the Gothic cathedrals of the Middle Ages and is distinguished for its size, antiquity, and architecture + Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor at Notre-Dame French Gothic Architecture + Gothic architecture was a style that fst appeared in France during the second half ofthe 12° century and Continued to evolve until the 16 century. + In France, a Gothic cathedral was bul in almost every major city Features of French Gothic Architecture + Gothic architecture brought many innovations in terms of construction systems and design. One of is Gefining characteristics was the sense of vertical, which was sought after in every building ‘+ Theidea was that the more vertical the building would feel, the closer the fathul visitors would feel to God. ‘+The layout in French Gothic cathedrals was often of Latin cross, The main axis is the most important and defines the order of the composition, +The secondary axis is evident in some examples but very subtle in some others. + Gothic walls became lighter due to their composition lof stone columns and large windows or stained glass. ‘+ These elements alowed for open, iluminated spaces in the interoe + The pointed arch was widely used in most of the French Gothic cathedrals, It was used as a structural ‘and decorative element in doorways, windows, arcades, and galleries + Pointed arches were effective in channeling weight to the columns in a steep angle, thus allowing for celings to be much higher and to increase the perception of the vertcality, + Vault colings were used, in the form of eross-ibbed vaults. This opened up the interior space of the cathedrals to accommodate mare visitorsAt & Culture NEXT IAS +The ying buttress is another defining constructive flement of Gothic architecture in France. The buttress transfers part of the weight from the tall walls and helps keep the structure stable. + Another functional element that evolved into a decorative item was the gargoyles. These litle monsters were spouts for rainwater to drain from the roots. + However, they served a higher purpose; they were thero to create fear of evil among the superstitious population of that ime and encourage them to seek God's protection inside ofthe cathedral ‘Stonehenge A missing piece of Stonehenge has been retumed to Britain 60 years afterit was taken About: ‘+ Stonehenge is a prehistoric stone circle monument, ‘cemetery, and archaeological site located on ‘Salsbury Plain, England. ‘+ It was buit in six stages between 3000 and 1520 BCE, during the transition from the Neolithic Period (Now Stone Age) to the Bronze Age + AS. prehistoric stone cil, it is unique because of its artcialy shaped sarsen stones , arranged in post- ‘and-lntel formation, and because of the remote origin ofits smaller bluestones (igneous and other rocks) from 160-240 km away, in South Wales, + Stonehenge was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986, Chaukhandi stupa ‘An ancient Buddhist sito at Samath known as Chaukhandi Stupa has bean declared to be “of National Importance" by the Archaeological Survey of India (AS). CChaukhandi Stupa: ‘+ Chaukhandi Stupa was built to mark the place where Buddha met his fist disciples Panchavargiya Bhikshus (Buddha's five companions) who had previously deserted him at Rajgr, as he traveled from Bodhgaya to Sarnath ‘+The stupa got its name Chaukhand’ because of ts ‘our armed plan, + IL is a lofty mound of brick whose square edifice is, surrounded by an octagonal tower. ‘+The stupa is an ancient Buddhist ste which evolved ‘rom burial mounds and served as a shrine fora relic of Buddha Construction: + Itwas originally constructed in 5° century AD. ‘+ It also finds mention in account of Hiven Tsang Chinese traveler in 7" century. + The Chaukhand) Stupa is said to be orginally a terraced temple during the Gupta period (Ath to 6th century). + Govardhan, he son of Todarmal altered and modiied the Chaukhandi Stupa tits present shape. ‘+ He built an octagonal tower to commemorate the visit ‘of Humayun, the great Mughal ruler. Architecture ‘+The currant structure of the stupa is @ high earthen ‘mound covered wit brickwork, to which stands atop a terraced rectangular plinth and its capped by an ‘ctagonal Mughal tower. + Some images of Buddha, such as the image of Buddha in Dharmachakra Pravartana Mudra and other statues found during excavations at this Stupa are bellved o be rare artfacts and classic examples of at from Gupta period About ASI ‘+The ASIis an Indian government agency attached to the Ministry of Cuture. + Its responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural ‘monuments in the country. ‘+ Itwas founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham Who also became its frst Director-General Markandeshwar Temple Restoration work of the temple in Maharashira by Archaeological Survey of India is in full swing.At & Culture NEXT IAS About: ‘+ Known as the “khaluraho of Vidarbha’, the temple of Markandadeo is situated on the bank of River Wainganga in district Gadchirali of Maharashtra, ‘+The temples belong to the Nagara group of temples (of North india ‘+ On silstc grounes, their date ranges in between 9 12 centuries CE, ‘+The temples belong to shaiva, valshnava and sakta faith, Most of the temples have a simple plan, with archamanéapa, mandapa, antarala and garbhagiha forming the component ofthe entire set up. ‘+ Alexander Cunningham made a recording that ~ ‘about 200 years ago the shikhara ofthe msin shrine and mahamandapa was stuck by a lightning wich led tothe parial colapse ofthe shikhara, Jagannath Temple Osisha government has decided to demolish: the structures within 75 m radius of Jagannath Temple About: ‘+The Committee headed by former Osha high court judge 8.P. Das had suggested clearing the area ‘around the temple for its secur. Jagannath Temple: + Bult by: The majestic temple of Lord Shree Jagannatha at Puri is said to have been built by ‘emperor Anangabhimadeva, historically dentifed as ‘Angangabhima Ill belonging to the Eastem Ganga dynasty. + Dedicated to: Lord Jagannath, a form of Vishnu + Names: itis known by many , names, viz, the Puri temple, the Srimancira, the Bada Deulaor simply, the Jagannatha temple. ‘+The temple consisis of four structures called The Vimana or Bada Deula sanctum sanctorum The Jagamohan or Mukhasala (the porch). % The Natamandir (the aucionce hall). The Bhogamandap (the hall for residuary offerings) ‘+ These are built in a row in axial alignment in East- West direction, +The Vimana is constructed in Pancharatha (temple containing five Pagas or segments) Rekha deul style + It has fourfold vertical divisions, ie. The Pitha (pedestal), The Bada (wal), The Gand! (trunk) and The Masataka (the head}. + Itisa fine specimen of Kalinga style of architecture. +The temple is famous for ts annual Ratha yatra, ot chariot festival, in which the three principal deities are pulled on huge and elaborately decorated temple cars As part of Ratha Yatra, the doities Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and younger sister Devi Subnadra, along with Sudarshan, fare taken out in a procession out af the main shrine of Jagannath Temple and placed in the Ratha (Chariot) which are ready in front of the Temple Sri Brihadeeswarar Temple Kumbhabishegam (consecration) ceremony was held at the Sri Brahadeeswarar Temple after 23 years. ‘About Brahadeeswarar Temple + Itis a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thanjavur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. + Ibis also known as Periya Kovi, RajaRajeswara Temple and Rajarajesvaram, + It is one of the largest temples in India and is an example of Dravidian architecture during the Chola period + It was built by emperor Raja Raja Chola | and ‘completed in 1010 AD. +The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Great Living Chola Temples’, vith the other two being the Brinadeeswarar Temple, Gangaikonda Chotapuram and Airavatesvara temple ‘+The entire temple structure is made out of granite. Gandan Tegchenling Monastery Recently PM Modi and president of Mongolia, jointly Unveiled a statue of Lord Budaha and his two discioles in historie Gandan Tagchenling Monastery in Ulaanbaatar, MangoliaAt & Culture NEXT IAS About: +The statue was installed and consecrated at the Gandan Monastery during the third ection of SAMVAAD dialogue held in Ulaanbaatar from 6 7 ‘September 2019, 4 SAMVAAD dialogue brought together Buddhist religious leaders, experts and scholars from diferent countries to deliberate ‘on contemporary issues related to Buddhism ‘+The Statue depicts Lord Buddha ina siting posture along with his two disciples conveying the message ‘of compassion along with peace and co-existence. ‘+ Gandan Tegchenting Monastery also features 0 26.5- meter-high statue of Avalokitesvara, Avalokitesvara + Avalokitesvara Is one of the three protective doles around Buddha. He is also known as Padmapani. The paintings of Avalokiteshvara are also present in Ajanta caves. + He is the most acknowledged described as holding Lotus flower among all the Bodhisatvas. ‘+The bodhisattva of compassion, the listener of the world’s cries who uses skilful means to come to their aid Seven Cultural Sites Inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List India. gets its 38% UNESCO Wor'a Heritage Siteas Pink Cty Jaipur. About: ‘+The sites added to the List are situated in Australia, Bahrain, China, India, Indonesia, Japan and People's Democratic Republic of Lao. Jaipur City, Rajasthan (India): “+ Founded by! The fortifed city of Jaipur, in Inc's north-westem state of Rajasthan was founded in 41727 by Sawai Jai Singh I ‘+ Feature: Unie other cites in the region located in hil terain, Jaipur was established on the plain and bult according to grid pian interpreted in the light of Vedie architecture. The streets feature continuous colonnaded businesses that intersect in the centre, creating large public squares called chaupars. The cly’s urban planning shows an exchange fof ideas from ancient Hindu and moder Mughal as well as Wester cultures. Other 6 sites are: 1. Dilmun Burial Mounds (Bahrain) Bud) Bim Cultural Landseape (Australia) ‘Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City (China) Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawanlunto (indonesia) 5. MazuFuruichi Kofun Group: Mounded Tombs of ‘Ancient Japan (Japan) 6. Megalithic Jar Sites in Xiengkhouang — Plain of Jars (Lao People's Democratic Republic) Current Status of World Heritage Site + With $6 ites, China's the county with the most ites. Its followed by laly (wit 55 sites), Spain, France and Germany. + Indias ranked 6” in the world and 2° in Asian terms of number of Ward Heritage sites World Heritage Criteri + Tobe included on the World Hertage List, sites must be of outstanding universal value and meet atleast fone out often selection etiteria, Some ofthe eniteria 4 Torepresent a masterpiece of human creative genius To exhibit an important interchange of human values, over @ span of time or within a cultural area of the world To bear @ unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradiion or to @ cilizaion which is living or which has disappeared; To contain superlative natural phenomena or ‘areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance: % To be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestial, fresh water, coastal and marine ‘ecosystems and communities of plants and animals Classification of World Heritage Sites: ‘There are three types of sites:At & Culture NEXT IAS + Cultural Heritage could be monuments, groups of bulleings or sites (works of man or the combined Works of nature and of man, and areas including archaeological sites). + Natural heritage sites are restcted to those natural ‘areas that: — Fumish outstanding examples of Earth's record of fe or is geologic processes, & Provide excellent examples of ongoing ecological and biological evolutionary processes, Contain natural phenomena that are rare, Unique, superatve, or of outstanding besuly, Furnish habitats for rare or endangered animals or plants or are sites of exceptional biodiversity ‘+ Mixed hertage sites contain elements of both natural and cultural significance. ‘© Current status: The rato f cultural to natural sites on the World Hertage List is roughly 3 to 1 World Heritage List Nominations: (Only counties that have signed the World Heritage Convention, pledging to protect thelr natural and cultural heritage, can submit nomination proposals for properties fon thelr terttory to be considered for inclusion in UNESCO's Woria Heritage List ‘+ Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986) + Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984) ‘+ Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987) ‘+ Hil Forts of Rajasthan (2013) ‘+ Historic City of Ahmadabad (2017) ‘+ Humayun's Tomb, Delhi (1993) ‘+ Jaipur City, Rajasthan (2018) ‘+ Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986) ‘+ Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002) ‘+ Mountain Railways of Incia(1898,2005,2008) ‘+ Qutb Minar and ts Monuments, Delhi (1983) © RanikiVav (the Queen's Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat 2014) ‘+ Red Fort Complex (2007) ‘+ Rock Shetters of Bhimbetka (2003) ‘Sun Temple, Kon@rak (1984) + Taj Mahal (1983) +The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement (2016) +The Jantar Manta, Jaipur (2010) + Vieloran Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018) World Heritage Sites in India Natural Sts (7) Cultural Sites (30) + Agra Fort (1983) + Ajanta Caves (1989) + Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavinara at Nalanda, Binar (2016) ‘© Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989) + Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004) + Chnatrapat! Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004) + Churches and Convents of Goa (1986) + Elephanta Caves (1987) + Ellora Caves (1983) + Fatehpur Sikri (1986) + Great Living Chola Temples (1987,2004) ‘+ Groat Himalayan National Park Conservation ‘Area (2014) ‘+ Kaziranga National Park (1985) ‘+ Kooladeo National Park (1985) ‘+ Manas Wife Sanctuary (1985) ‘+ Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowors National Parks (1988,2008), ‘+ Sundarbans National Park (1987) ‘+ Western Ghats (2012) Mixed Ste (1) ‘+ Kangchendzonga National Park (2016)At & Culture NEXT IAS Megalithic Sword Unearthed from Rock-Cut Cave in Kozhikode ‘The State Archaeology Department in Kozhikode has Unearthed what it calls @ Megalithic era iron sword. About: ‘+The State Archaeology Department in Kozhikode has unearthed whatt cals @ Megalithic era iron sword, a chisel and a few decorated pateries from a rock-cut cave at Pothuvachery in Kannur dstict of Kerala, Significance: + The recovery of the implements revealed the technological advancement of the Megalithic people. ‘+The very idea of burying the dead along with burial {goods indicates strong belt in life after death and possibly rebirth among megalithic peopl. ‘About Megalithic Culture: + Megalithic culture is one which lasted from the Neolithic Stone Age to the early Historical Period (2500 8 to AD 200) across the world ‘+ Itwas characterised by use of large often undressed stones for construction of manuments during neolithic , chaleolthic or bronze age + In India, archaeologists trace the majority of the megalitns to the Iron Age (1500 BC to 500 BC), though some sites precede the Iron Age, extending up to 2000 Be, + Purpose: Megaliths were constructed either 2s burial sites or commemorative (nor-sepulchral) memorials 4 The former are sites with actual burial remains, such as dolmenoid cists (box-shaped stone burial chambers), caim circles (stone circies with defined perinheries) and capstones (istincivemushroom-shaped burial ‘chambers found mainly in Kerala) ‘+The urn oF the sarcophagus containing the mortal remains was usually made of terracotta, + Non-sepuichral megalths include memorial sites ‘such as menhirs. (The line separating the two's bit Dlury, since remains nave been discovered undemeath otherwise non-sepulchral sites, and vice versa) ibution of Megaliths in India ‘+ Megalitis are spread across the Indian subcontinent, though the bulk of them are found in peninsula ina, concentrated in the states of Maharashtra (mainly in Vidarbha), Kamataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. + Current status: Even today, a living megalithic culture endures among some tribes such as the Gonds of central India and the Khasis of Meghalaya, Suranga Bawadi on World Monument Watch List ‘Suranga Bawadi is included in the World Monument Watch ist for 2020. ‘About: ‘+The monument has been selected under the ‘Ancient Water System of the Deccan Plateau’ by World Monuments Fund (a New York based NGO), which monitors restoration of ancient monuments across the globe. + Suranga Bawadi, an integral part of the ancient Karez system (In VIJAYPURA) of supplying water through subterranean tunnels + It was built during Adil Shahi era in. Vjayapura, Kamatake, Though the Karez system was builtin the 16th century by Ali Adil Shah-I, his successor, Tbrahim Adi Shah-tl, brought in several changes by adding more structures to strengthen it ‘What is Karez (Qanat) System of Irigation? +A water hamessing technology that exginated in IranvPersia, + Working: It taps into the ground water sources (or natural springs) and transports it through an Underground tunnel to the settlement, ending in surface canal andior pools inthe settlement + Used for drinking, washing, ablutin (an act of ‘washing oneself), watering livestock, and also further sed for irrigating fiels, orchards and gardens. + This system was necessary where the soll was rocky ‘and driling wells to accommodate drinking water was aifut.At & Culture NEXT IAS World Capital Of Architecture Rio de Janeiro will be World Capital of Architecture for 2020: UNESCOFILE PIC The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has announced that the Brazilian aly of Rio de Janel will be the World Capital of Achitecture for 2020, ‘+ Having defeated Paris and Melbourne, Rio willbe the fist city to receive the ttle under a program launched together by UNESCO and the International Union of ‘Acchtects (UIA) in November last year. The cty wil host the World Congress of UIA, in July 2020, an ‘event that occurs every three years. + According to UNESCO, the World Capital of Architecture is intended to become an inlernational forum for debates about pressing global challenges from the perspectives of culture, cutural heritage, urban panning and architecture. The Historic Ensemble of Orchha MP's Orchha makes it to tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. About: ‘+The architectural hertage of Orchha town in Machya Pradesh which depict peculiar syle of the Bundela ‘dynasty have been included in UNESCO's tentative list of word heritage sites, ‘+ Ithhas been added folowing a proposal sent by the ‘Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) tothe UN body. ‘+ Importance: According to the rules, o be a part of UNESCO's World Heritage sites, the heritage or any historical site frst has tobe on the tentative lit ‘About Orchha: + Location: Orchha jg situated on the banks of the Botwa rver. ‘Built by: Orchha was built by king Rudra Pratap Singh of Bundela dynasty in the 46th century +The ancient town is famous for its Chalurbhuj Temple, Orchha fort complex, Raja Mahal among others, ‘+The Bundola architecture has Mughal influence since the two dynasties were very close, + Thefamous King of Bundela dynasty Veer Singh Dev ‘was a close fiend of Mughal emperor Jahangir and ought wars as Akbar’s aid + Orchha is also famous for its two elevated minaret called Saavan and Bhadon and is four palaces — Jahangir Palace, Raj Mahal, Sheesh Mahal and Rai Praveen Mahal — and for iis concept af open bungalows, stone work windows, animal statues epicting the culture of Bundelkhand. It is the only place in Inela where Lord Ram is Worshipped as a king with a dedicated temple in his name called Sri Ram Raja Mandi 2. Dance forms and Music Kolattam: Dance of Devotion, Kolattam is a popular fok dance belonging tothe state fof Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu ‘About: ‘+The term kolattam comes from combining the words kol meaning tick and aattam meaning pay. ‘+The Kolattam group comarises dancers ranging from 8 1040 who are grouped in pais, The sticks provides the main ythm, + Kolattam is mentioned in Kanchipuram as, ‘Chelvakiyar which testifies to ts rich hertage and antiquity Legends Associated with Kolattam: + According to tradition, an omnipotent asura called Basava was controlled by a handful of graceful girls ‘who danced the kolatiam to enchanting music, This has since been celebrated as kolattajeathiral in Tamil Nad + According to another legend, Goddess Parvati Lnderwent severe penance for nine days to enable the devas to win over an asura named Bhanda, + Unable to withstand her mighty penance, her maidens danced the kolattam before Shiva's companion, Nandi the bull, to obtain his grace and reduce the severity of Parvats penance. + Yot another legend ascribes the argin to Lord Krishna, who danced with the opis - or cowherdesses ~ of Brindavan. The Dandiya raas celebrated across much of north India can be said to bbe much similar.At & Culture NEXT IAS Pulikali Dance Recently, the folk art dance Pulkali was performed during Onam festival About: ‘+ Pulkall is a recreational folk art trom the state of Kerala, performed on the fourth day of Ona, Onam + The Onam festival remarks the end of monsoon ‘season and the arrival of the harvesting season, + Itis a 10 dayharvest festival celebrated in Kerala + Onam commemorates the retum of the mythical righteous king — King Mahabal. + People lay a flower carpet, traditionally called "Pookalam, infront oftheir house to weleome the King and mounds representing Mahabali and Vishnu are placed inthe courtyards. ‘+ Performers painted like tigers and hunters in bright yellow, red, and black dance to the beats of instruments lke Udukku and Thakil ‘+ Meaning of Pulkkall isthe ‘play ofthe tigers’ hence the performance revolves around the theme of tiger hunting, ‘+The fok artis mainly practiced in tne Thrissur district of Kerala Other Famous Art Forms of Kerala + Kathakall Theyyam + Kolaripayattu ——-Mohiiyattam + Thirvathirakali —_ Koodiyattam ‘Assamese Bhanoa ‘omaments, usually involves 40-50 people, including those playing heavy drums and cymials + ILis a traditional form of entertainment, always with the reigious messages, prevalent in Assam. + It crginated with the mythological plays of Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankardeva (1449-1568) witlon in early 16° century + These plays are popularly known as Ankiya Nats and their staging is known as Bhaona. Srimanta Sankardev + He was a 15th-16th century Assamese polymath « saint-scholar, post, playwright, social-religious reformer and a figure of importance inthe cultural and religious history of Assam, Inia + Ho Is widely credited with building on past cultural relies and devising new forms of music (Corea!) theatical performance (Anka. Naat, Bheona), dance (Sativa). Ierary language (Grajava + He inspired the Bhakti movement and started Ekasarana Dharma (also called Neo-Vaishnavite movernen} Khon Ramlila UP Culture Dept organised training & performance programme of KHON Ramla with Thailand ‘About: + tis amasked dance of Thailand depicting the scenes, of Ramla + Ithas no dialogues and background voices narrate the whole story of Ramayana, + Itis famous for its beautiful atte and golden masks and ig included in the list of UNESCO's Intangible cultural hertage. Konyak Dance ‘Assamese Bhaona made an English debut in Abu Dhabi instead of traditional language Brajaval About Bhanoa ‘+ Bhaonais a performing at involving dalogues, songs land dances by performers in costumes and The Guinness World Records has acknowledged Konyak dance as record holder for the “largest traditional dance”. ‘+ Konyak is one of the 16 Naga ethnic tribes and they are inhabited in Nagaland's Mon district, Its known ‘or the fierce headhunting history. "At & Culture NEXT IAS + "The largest traditional Konyak dance consists of (687 participants, and was achieved by the Konyak Union (India) in Mon of Nagaland on Apri §, 2019," noted the Guinness World Records in its letter of ‘approval forthe record holder. ‘+ Itwas organised during the “Aoleang Monyu'Yestival of the Konyak tribe, which Is celebrated in the frst week of Apri every year to welcome the spring 3. Painting Pattachitra painting Cyclone Fani destroyed pattachitra paintings in Raghurajpur village (Odisha). ‘About Pattachitra painitng. ‘+ It is a tradonal, clth-based scroll painting from Odisha, ‘+ This art form is closely related to the cult of Shel Jagannath and the temple traditions in Puri ‘+A gauze-like fine cotton cloth is coated with whit stone powder and gum made out of tamarind seeds to prepare the canvas. ‘+The paint made of natural colours is the unique featur. ‘+ Almost all of the Chitrakar community hails trom a ‘small vilage in Puri district called Raghurajpur (thereby dectared as a heritage vilage) Karikiyoor Rock Painting ‘Ancient tock paintings at Karklyoor have been destroyed by legal tourists. About: ‘© More than 40% of 6,000 years rock paintings in Karikiyoor at Kil Kotagr in the Nigiri forests have been defaced by iresponsible tourists and trekkers. +The Archeological Survey of India and the Forest Department are mandated to ensure the protection of, the sit, Significance of the Paintings: ‘+ Associated tribe: The paintings are integral part of cultural and religious heritage of Irulatrbal ‘community residing inthe area, + For historians: Sites such as Karklyoor helps Fistorians to understand 4 The sociological background of people that ived in the region 4 How certain technology and writen scripts, difused to southem India from the Indus peoples and vice versa. Irula Tribe + They aro one of India’s oldest indigenous anc vulnerable groups. ‘+ Current, their population is aroun 25,000. ‘+ They live along the borders of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, ‘+ They are known for their skill at capturing snakes, ‘especially venomous ones, ‘+ Theirmain detyis a goddess named Kanniamma whois deeply associated withthe Cobra. ‘+The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 banned the hunting of several animals, including snakes, because of which the Irulas were left with no source of employment, ‘+ They have grown to be specialists in traditional herbal medicine and healing practices. ‘+ Today, Irula Snake-Catchers’ Cooperative is the largest producer of venom in India and has revolutionized the treatment of snake-bites in the ‘country, Other Paintings in news Pithora paintings + These paintings are made on the walls by several tribes of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh to depict highly enriched foik art culture and rituals performed in the community, + The paintings aro usually canvased on cloth, paper, card boards and walls with natural and synthetic colors Sulawesi art ‘+ Ibis an animal painting discovered on the wall of fan Indonesian cave and is found to be 44,000 years oldAt & Culture NEXT IAS ‘The artappears to show a buffalo being hunted by part-human, partanimal creatures holding spears ‘and possibly ropes 4. Literary Arts International Year of Indegineous Languages ‘The Pacific island nation of Papua New Guinea has the highest number of ving’ indigenous languages in the ‘world (840), while India stands fourth with 453. About: + 2019 is the United Nations’ Intemational Year of Indigenous Languages. + Alm: The Intemational Year of Indigenous Languages aims to promote native tongues in five key areas, including “creation of favourable ‘conditions for knowledge-sharing and dissemination fof good practices with regards to indigenous languages" Indigenous Languages + An indigenous language or autochthonous language is a language that is native to a region and spoken by indigenous people, offen reduced to the status ofa minorty language. + This language would be from @ linguistically distnct community that has been setied in the area for many generations, ‘Need: In 2016, the UN's Permanent Forum on Indigenous. issues pointed out that 40% of the estimated 6,700 languages spoken around the world were in danger of disappearing ‘+ Several languages are now “endangered” For languages tke Tiniguan (Colombian origin), there is just a single native speaker lft & According to Ethnologue, there are 3,744 languages (over half the total) which have fewor than 1,000 speakers. Ethnologue: + Ethnologue, a directory of languages, lists 7,111 living languages worldwide (languages that are still being used and spoken by people) 3 + Spanish, English, Hindi and Arabic are the most widely spoken languages worldwide when only fist- languages are considered These five languages account for what is ‘spoken by over 40% of people worldwide. ‘+ Asia and Africa account for the highest number of incigenous languages (over 70% of the total), ‘+ Most indian languages are derivatives of languages that are spoken in other pars of Asia as wel. + Sino-Tibetan languages are spoken across Northeast India, China, Bhutan, Nepal and other South East Asian countries. + Andamanese language family is confined to India alone, Languages in Decline: + According to UNESCO's ‘Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger, 228 languages have become extinct since 1950, + About 10% of the ‘vulnerable’ endangered’ languages are cassified while another 10% are ‘ertically + Curent status in India: In Inca, fve languages have become extinct since 1950, while 42 are critically endangered. Hindi version of Digital Dilemma Recently, Hindi version of ‘Digital Dilemma’ was launched. + John Bally, President of Academy of Motion Picture ‘Arts & Sciences which is popularly known as Oscar ‘Academy, e-launched the Hindi transiation of ‘Academy publication “Digital Dilemma in Deli ‘+ Digital Dilemma:An Academy publication Is writen by Mit Shelton and Andy Maltz and has been transiated in many global languages. It discusses challenges of efficienty archiving and accessing massive data in the long term + MoU: National Film Archive of India (NFA) had signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Oscar Academy to transate the publication into Hindi + Significance: The translation of the Academy Publication ino hind! is important so as to reach out to the film fraternity in India, The technological changes in the fim storage mediums throw manyAt & Culture NEXT IAS challenges. Thus this book will help filmmakers in understanding and planning the storage of born- digtal material First Sanskrit World Conference Recently, World Sanskrit Conference or Sanskrit Bharati Vishwa Sammelan was organized forthe frst time in New Delhi fram 9" to 13" November, 2019. About: + This conference was organized by Sanskrita Bharati (itis a non-profit organisation with par-incia presence Working to revive Sanskrit language). © Participants: It is the frstofits-kind global conference to promote Sanskrit language which has been altended by the thousands of students and scholars from 17 countries, ‘+ Anexhibition ‘Sanskrit Pradarshin’ has also been put up displaying manus, models and charts. that ‘establish diferent phases of the development of ‘Sanskrit as a popular language, not only in Ingia but also across the globe, Gondi Language ‘Ancient tribal language Gondi to be taught in tba districts of Madhya Pradesh. About: + Madhya Pradesh goverment decided to include Gondi in the primary education curriculum of the state's tribal-dominated districts, ‘+ The rapid dectine in the number of people who speak that language is @ matter of concer, Hence, the ‘Government stressed on the need to save it. Gondi Language: ‘+ Itis a South-Central Dravidian language, spoken by _about two millon Gond people, chief in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana, Maharashira, CChhattisgam, Andhra Pradesh and in various adjoining areas of neighbouring states, ‘+ Athough its the language of the Gond people, only ‘one fith of Gonds can speak the language, making it vwunerable to extinction. Gondi has a rich folk iterature, examples of which are marriage songs and 4 + Gondi has been written in Devanagari and Telugu script +The non-native scripts have been used to write Gondi + Also, efforts have been undertaken to create a native script for Gondi ‘+ In 1928, Munshi Mangal Singh Masaram designed a native script based on Brahmi characters and inthe ‘same format ofan indian alphasyliabary + However, this script id not become widely used Mai Language The Ministry of Human Resource Development has ecided to implement the recommendations of a Committee for the promotion and protection of Maiti language and it scrips ‘About: Mithlaksher or Tirhuta is the script of the language Maiti. + It is mainly spoken in India (Bihar, Jharkhand ete.) and Nepal + The oldest form of Mithiakshar is found in the ‘Sahodara stone inscriptions of 960 AD, + Vidyapail Thakur, was the frst writer to use Maithl a8 a iterary language, his postic works and songs are {ull of devotion to the God Shiva + In the 14th century, Jyotishwar Thakurerriched the Ierature in a holst way, + His work Dhurt Samagam is very popular in Maiti + Inthe 20th century, Baba Nagarjun, Ramanand Renu contributed in the field of prose wring. + In 1910 the first Mathit organization, the Maiti Mahasabha came into being for the development of Maithi and Maiths. + The language has been accorded a constitutional status in the 8! Schedule of the cansttution in 2004, through the 92% amendment +The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution includes 22, major languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogr Gujarathi, Hind, Kananda, Kashmis, Konkani, Maithili, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhal, Sindhi, Tami Telugu, Urdu, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali and OriyaAt & Culture NEXT IAS UNESCO Global Geopark Network Status Recenty Geological Survey of India (GSI) chose heritage locations in Maharashlra and Karnataka for UNESCO Global Geopark Network site status. What is UNESCO Global Geopark Network Status? + The sites chosen areLonar Lake in Maharashlra and St, Marys Island and Malpe beach in coastal Karnataka + UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified ‘geographical areas where sites and landscapes of interational geological significance are managed with 2 holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development. ‘+ Ttaims to enhance awareness and understanding of oy issues facing society, ‘+ such as using our earth's resourcessustainably, mitigating the effects of climate change and reducing natural disasters-olated sks, +The Global Geoparks Network (GGN), is @ legally constituted —notfor-proft organisation. Its. membership is obligatory for UNESCO Global Geoparks. ‘+ Alpresent, there are 140 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 38 countries ‘+ An aspiring Global Geopark must have a decicates website, 2 corporate identty, comprehensive management plan, protection plans, finance, and partnerships fori to be accepted ‘+ As of now there is no geo-hertage site from India is Includes under UNESCO Geo park Network. Lonar Lake in Maharashtré + Its the word's oldest meteoric erater ‘+ formed around 50,000 years ago and theonly one formed in basalt roc. + This sak water lake + tbecame @ national ge weritage site int 979, St. Mary's Island and Malpe Beach Karnataka: + [tis @ hexagonal mosaic of basaltic racksin an island off Uap ‘+ Itis estimated to be an 88-milion-year- ‘+ oid formation that goes back to a time when Greater India broke away from Madagascar. ‘+ Itwas dectared a national geo-hertage site in 1975 6 5. Religious & Cultural Festivals Hampi Utsav ‘The Hampi Festival faced the challenge of not being organized owing to the prevalence of drought in Bala Kamataka Hampl .a UNESCO world heritage site is located in Karnataka It was the capital of Vijaynagar empire and ‘one ofthe largest cities of medieval world ‘About: + Hampi Utsav: Hampi Utsav(also called vijay utsav) is, a three-day festival of dance, drama and music to be held at Hampi, Kamataka and celebrated in the month of November, + Cuitural Impact of Natural Hazard: Earlier, the state government has announced that Hampi Utsav wal not be held this year as the district is winessing severe srought Though finally it was held ina simple manner. + Hampi Utsav: The Hampi Utsav or the Viaya Utsav is a festival of Kamataka, This festival has been celebrated since the Vijayanagar reign + World Heritage Site: Hampi being world heritage site, the aim ofthis festival isto atract as many tourist towards it as possible. North and South Korea's Joint Bid for Traditional Wrestling The bid is for including traditional Korean wresting named “ssirum” or “ssiroury’ into UNESCO's list of “Intangible Cuural Hertage of Humanity” ‘About: + North and South Korea are making a fist join bid for fan intemational recognition of Korean traditional wrestling Significance: + Denuclearizaton: The cultural cooperation shall ease tension on the divided peninsula and may kickstart the process of denuclearization of North Korea.At & Culture NEXT IAS ‘+ Easing Tension: North and South Korea marched under a united flag at the 2018 Winter Olympics ‘opening ceremony in Pyeongchang UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage + Itincludes traditions ortving expressions inherited from the ancestors and passed on to the descendants + It also includes oral tradtions, performing arts social practices, rituals, festive events ete 13 Intangible Cultural Heritage Elements from India: + Tradtlon of Vedic chanting, + Ramlila, the traditional Ramayana, performance of the ‘+ Kutiyattam, Sansknt theatre in Kerala ‘+ Ramman, rligious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas. + Muiyettu, ritual theatre and dance drama of kerala + Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan. + Chinau dance, a semi classical Indian dance with ‘martial, tribal and folk traditions, with origins inthe eastern Indian state Odisha, + Buddhist chanting of Ladakh, + Sankitana, ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur ‘+ Thatheras: Tracitonal brass and copper craft of ttensii making among the Jandiala Guru, Punjab. + Nawrouz, a Persian Now Year celebrated by various ethno-tinguistc groups. Yoga + Kumbh Mela ‘The Karmapa and Tibetan Buddhism Karmapa tradition Lama has acquired the Dominican citizenship hurting relationship with India, About: +The 13" Religious Conference of the Schools of TTibstan Buddhism and Bon Tradition, which was 16 scheduled for November 29 and 30 in Dharamshala, has been postponed to indefinite perio. + Reason for Postponement: The reason for ths tussle between the Goverment and Karmapa is Karmapa's decision to acquire ciizenship of Dominica a ccarbean island county in 2018. Asa result, despite several attempts from the Karmapa fora visa, he has been denied to visit India + Karmapa: Karmapa is the head of one of the four ‘main sects of Tibetan Buddhism. © —Karmapa means the embodiment of all the activities ofthe Buddhas. 4 In the Tibetan tradition, great enlightened teachers are said to be able to consciously control their rebirth in order to continue theit ‘activly forthe benefit ofall sentient beings. The present Karmapa is Ogyen Triley Dore, fs the 17" in the line of Karmapa incarnations. They are issued the entity Cerificate in India (the yellow card issued by Indian govt. to Titans for ease of travel) Tibetan Buddhism: + Tibetan Buddhism combines the essential teachings of Mahayana Buddhism with Tantric and Shamanic ‘and material from an ancient Tibetan religion called Bon + Although Tioetan Buddhism is often thought to be identical with Vajrayana(vehicle of thunderbolt) Buddhism, they are not identical ~ Vajrayana is taught in Tibetan Buddhism together with the other vehicles. ‘+ Buddhism became a major presence in Tibet towards the end ofthe 8th century CE.As per tradition Indian buddhist scholars. Padmasambnava and Santaraksita played major role in propagation of sharma in Tibet. + Nyingma: Founded by Padmasambhava, this is coldest sect, noted inthe West fr the teachings of the Tibetan Book ofthe Dead. + Kagyu: Founded by Tlopa (988-1088), the Kagyupa tradition is headed by the Karmapa Lama. Important Kagyupa teachers include Natopa, Marga, and Milarepa, + Sakya: Created by Gonchok Gyslpo (1034-1102).At & Culture NEXT IAS + Gelug: (The Vituous School) Founded by Tsong Khapa Lobsang Drakpa (also called Je Rinpoche) (1357 - 1419), this tradtion is headee by the Dalai Lama, ‘+ New Kadampa Tradition: One ofthe major Buddhist ‘schools in the United Kingdom, founded by the Tibetar-born Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. Some Buddhists and non-Buddhists regard the NKT as outside the mainstream tradition ‘+ Jonang : It is an influential minor school of tbetan buddhism, Special Features of Tibetan Buddhism: ‘+The status of the teacher or "Lama’ “+ Preoccupation withthe relationship between ife and death ‘+ Important roe of rituals and initiations + Rich visual symbolism ‘+ Mantras and meditation practice Tawang Monastery ‘The Incredible India campaign mistakenly claimed that ‘the ancient Tawang Monastery was built just tree decades ago Tawang monastry - Located in Tawang ity in the state of ‘Arunachal pradesh About: +A tweet by the Incredible India twitter handle ‘erroneously mentioned that the Tawang Monastery was built atthe request ofthe 5® Dalai Lama in 1980- at + Wile the fact was that it was founded in 1680-81 by ‘a. monk named Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso of the ‘Golug sect of Mahayana Budchism Incredible India Campaign: + Ineredible India is the name of an intemational tourism campaign maintained by the Govemment of India since 2002, to promote tourism in India to an ‘audience of global appeal Dwijing Festival ‘About Dwiling festival: + Duiling Festivals an annual river festival held on the bank of River Ale in Chirang District, Assam. + Dwling Festival is celebrated in the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) region of Assam. ‘+The festival provides a platform of earning for the People in the region by putting in to focus the business activites for the better economy generation through rural tourism. ‘+The festival also aims to provide help to the flood victim families. through charity generation and Gistrioution, ‘+ The association of the Hagrama Bridge, the longest rural rver bridge of Assam, withthe festival further resulted inthe increase of Visitors tothe festival ‘About River Aie: + River Ale originates from the Himalayan Mountains of Bhutan and flows through the Chirang and Bongaigaon districts of Assam before jlning the river Brahmaputra ‘Sarangkheda Chetak Festival About + tis one of the oldest horse fair in the country with a legacy of about 300 years + Organised by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) in association with the Sarangkheda Commitee. ‘About the Festivs +The Chetak Festival is a 300-year-old horse fair held fn the banks of the Tapi ver. ‘+The festival this year hosted more than 2,500 horses ‘and people from all over the State came in large rhumbers to witness world-class equestrian spectacle, + Events tke water sports, food festivals and horse races are organised Prayagraj Kumbh Prayagraj Ardh Kumbh Mela, 2019 is being held at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj. from 15 January to 4 March 2019, & edition of ‘Dwiing Festival celebrated from december 27, 2019 to january 7, 2020 7 ‘About: +The Kumbh Meta (the festval ofthe sacred pitcher) Is anchored in Hindu mythology. Itis the largest pubicAt & Culture NEXT IAS gathering and collective act of fath, anywhere in the wort Kumbh Mela ~ Some Facts: + Kumbh Mela is a religious pilgrimage that is celebrated our times over a course of 12 years, The ‘geographical location of Kumbh Mela spans over four locations in India and the Mela ste keeps rotating between one of the four pilgrimage places on four sacred rivers a listed below: 4 Haridwar on the Ganges in Utarakhand. & —Uljain: Simhastha on the Shipra River in Madhya Pradesh. 4 Nashik: Trimbakeshwar Simhastha, on the GGodavan in Maharashtra, & — Prayagral at the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati in Uttar Pradesh, Types and Names +The Kumbh Mela are classified a: & The Pura Kumbh Mela (sometimes just called ‘Kumbh or "Yul Kumbha’), occurs every 12 years at a given ste. The Ardh Kumbh Mela (half Kumbh) occurs approximately every 6 years between the two Puma Kumbha Molas at Allahabad ang Haridwar The Maha Kumibh, which occurs every 12 Pura Kumbh Melas Le. after every 144 years. — Forthe 2019 Allahabad Kumbh Mela, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath ‘announced that the Arsh Kumbh Mela (organised every 6 years) wil simply be known fas "Kumbh Mea, and the Kumbh Mela (organised every 12 years) wil be known as "Maha Kumbh Mela” (Great Kumbh Mela") @ The Magh Mela (annual Mini Kumbh) is celebrated in the month of Magh in the National calendar) every year at Pryagraj, except the years of Purna Kumbh Mela’ ana “Arch Kumibh Mela ‘+ Historical mention: First mention of was made in 7 century AD by Chinese traveler Huan Tsang who visited India during the reign of King Hershvardhana, + Mythological Basis The founding myth of the Kumbh Mela recounts how gods and demons fought over the sacred pitcher (Kumbh) of Amit (nectar of, 8 immortaty) caled the Ratna of Samudra Manthan, + Social significance: + Primarily, this {s the congregation includes ‘Ascotics, Saints, Sachus, Sachvis, Kalpvasis, and Pilgrims from all walks of if ‘© Thus, Kumbn involves various Yajnas, the chanting of Vedie Mantras, holy elucidations ‘combined with donations, made to the poor ‘and needy. % Religious assemblies are held where doctines are debated, standardized and conducted by renowned saints and sages. + Economie Significance: ‘The Arch Kumbh 2019s expected to generate £1.2 lakh crore as per the Confederation of Indian Industry (Ct) Hospitality sector, aitines and airports, tour operators are expected to gain significantly ‘rom this Ardh Kumbh + Religious tourism Eco-tourism and medical tourism The Kumbh, not only generates revenue for the State in which its being held but also for cother neighbouring states as tourist also ‘explore other destinations as wel + Employment Generation: 4 Kumbh led to the ereation of new jabs, over & ‘akh in 2019, in the unorganzed sector comprising of tour guides, taxi interpreters, volunteers. % involves setting up of new city in the huge Mola area involving hundreds of kiometres of roads and many pontoon bridges, which wit the largest temporary city inthe wold. rivers, Kani or kanikkar Tribe ‘They are angry over Kerala High Court order allowing women to go up to Agasthyakoodam peak. ‘About: ‘+The major concem of Kani tribe is that, for centuries, their women have not gone to Agasthyakoodam, a pilgrimage for them, and now itis getting transformed Into a trekking site insulting their faithAt & Culture NEXT IAS +The Kanis, a trbal community numbering around 20,000 members, had opposed the Forest Department's guidelines, framed over a decade ago, ‘on women going up the peak + While the customs of the Kani community do nat permit women beyond Athirumala, 6 km from the peak, there will be no such restrictions this year ‘onwards However, trekkers will be denied acoess to places where pujas are conducted by the local ‘community in accordance withthe Kerala High Court judgment Kani Tribe: ‘+ Kani is 8 tbe living in the Westem Ghats area of Kerala ‘+The Karis worship an idol of Agastya Muni on the hil ‘According to them, permitting women beyond Athiramala, a base station of Agasthyakoodam, Would interfere with thei radtional rghis of worship ‘+ Karis are now settied on forestland in the southem districts of Thirwvananthapuram and Kollam. ‘+ Their use of the forest plant arogyapacha (richopus zeylanicus) as a key ingredient in a herbal remedy called Jeovani was noted by visting scientists in the 19808. ‘+ Arogyapacha is a small medicinal plant with slender stems and thick leaves. In India, itis seen in the forests of the south Western Ghats at an alttude of 1,000 metres. In ayurveda, arogyappacha_is deserbed as one ofthe 18 divine herbs. ‘+The forests of Agasthya Hills are a treasure trove of ‘macicinal plants and the Kanis have a rich tradtional knowledge of these resources, Makaravilakku Festival'Season ‘The sacred grove (poonkavanom) of Ayyappa at Sabarimala Is all set_to celebrate the annual Makaraviakku festival About: ‘+ Makaravilakku is an annual festival held on Makar Sankranti Kerala, india at the shrine of Sabarimala, ‘+The festival includes the Thiravabnaranam (sacred fomaments of Ayyappan) procession and a ‘congregation at the hill shrine of Sabarimala + An estimated half a millon devotees flow to Sabarimala every year to have @ darshan (vision) of this ritual + The hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa in Kerala has been ‘opened for the 21 day-long Makaravilakku festival season, marking the concluding phase ofthe annual pilgrimage season. + Makaravilakku, is a part of a religious ral that is practiced in the past by the tribes in the forest of Ponnambalamedu (the place where Makaravilakku appears) and then laler secrelly continued by The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). History of Sabarimala: +The history of Sabarimala and the Ayyappa deity is shrouded in mystery. + As per MN Srinivas, Ayyappa worship is not known further north than mid-Karnataka, where it was probably introduced from Kerala Due to the significant non-presence of god ‘Ayyappa in the conventional ithihasa-Purana toxs,itbecomes dificult to categorise the cut. + Buddhist Influence: According to historian A, ‘Sreedhara Menon, Sabarimala history has more todo with Buddhism than with Brahmanism. “Ayyappa evotees strictly follow non-violence, vegetarianism and abstention from sex during the two monthe before the pilgrimage, It resembles the Ahimsa principles practiced by Buddhists, + For some scholars, Ayyappa is Nilakantha ‘Avalokiteswara depicted in the Buddhist texts + Another uniqueness ofthe temple is the presence of Vavar (a Muslim delty) ints promises. + Some Christian influences could also be identified Sabarimala pilgems visit Arthunkal church, where thousands of them return their malas (string of beads) + Therefore, Sabarimala becomes significant example {or the mixed religious culture ‘+ From this heterogencous identity, the Sabarimala space witnessed a transformation into the Brahmenic fold of Hinduism, especialy inthe twentieth century. Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 20 Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (KGAF) was held in MumbaiAt & Culture NEXT IAS Kala Ghoda Arts Festival: + [tis India’s largest multi-cultural stret festival ‘+ Purpose: To bring attention to the South Mumbal's art and architectural hertage, ‘+ Its held annually since 1999 in February (the first Saturday til the next Sunday, fr nine days) ‘+ Organized by: Kala Ghoda Association, which was formed in 1998 with the abject of maintaining and preserving the heritage and art district of South Mumbai Boori Boot Yullo Festival 52% Boori Boot Yullo festival was held in Arunachal Pradesh, About Boori Boot festival is observed in the month of February ‘every year to welcome spring and a successful harvest ‘+The fortnight iong festivals celebrated by nyish ibe ‘of Arunachal Pradesh every year in the month of february, ‘+ Itis beloved that the festival evokes the spirt of Boor! Boot, who will bless them with all the happiness, ang {ree from every kindof disease. +A special puja is performed by the priest ~ Nibu, followed by an animal sacrifice forthe mankind to be blessed with prosperty and be fre from diseases. ‘+ Another aspect of the festival is that people apply ‘ting’ or flour on ther face and body, Nyishi Tribes + Nyishi is the largest community in Arunachal Pradesh, and are mainly setied in Daporio, Upper Subansid) Locale and Raga and Dollungmukh ranges of Lower Subansir Region of Arunachal Pradesh. + They also lve Assam. + Polygyny Is prevalent among the Nyishithough the is ciminishing especially with the modernization + They trace their descent patilinealy and are vided into several clans 20 NYEPI Ball istand in Indonesia observed its New Year with an annual day of siance “Nyep'. ‘About: + Nyepi means "to keep silent’, is a part of Balinese now year celebration ‘+ Itfals on the day after the dark moon of the spring equinox, + Before Nyepi, Hindus perform the Melasti Ritual to purily their souls Ramappa Temple Ramappa temple may enter World Heritage list. ‘About: ‘+The historic Ramappa temple may soon be dectared ‘8 World Heritage Site as itis the only nomination sent te UNESCO by India for the year 2018, Ramappa temple + Ramappa Temple also known asthe Ramalingeswara temple is located in Palmapet in Warangal district of Telangana, + The temple is a Shivalaya and probably the only temple in India known by the name of the sculptor who but it +The temple of Ramappa was buit on behalf of the Kakatya king Ganapathi Deva by nis chief commander Recherla rudra + Foundation of temple is made with sand box technology, which makes it resistant to earthquakes and other natural calamities, + The temple is known for is intricate carvings, the ‘most famous one being the flute at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum, which when hit makes the sound of sa-ri.ga-ma Its said that the details are so intricate, that it allowed the revival of the Perini Shivatandavam — a lost dance drama, by Nataraja Ramaktishna + Columns are carved with mythical animals or female +) The postures pertaining to Bharata Natya, Shrunga, Bharunga, Rathi, Perini Netya ele, are engraved on the piars.At & Culture NEXT IAS + Top-beams of “Mukha— Mandapam’, have mythological episodes suchas “Gopka Vastrapaharanam, Tripura sarsharm, Daksha ‘Samharam, Ksheera Sagara Madhanam, Gija Kaiyanam et. ‘+The "Nagin" and other eleven devanarthakis. are arranged as supporting beams on both sides of each entrance, +The famous treatise of dance ‘Nitya Ratnavali of Kakatiya poriod is said to have boon inspired by the ‘construction and art work an Ramappa temple, Lai Haraoba Festival Lal Haraoba, a ritualistic festival observed by Manipur rmeitel communities since ancient times, was held in Agartala, Tripura. About: + Lai Haraoba is one of the important festivals of Manipur, and itis celebrated to pay respect and honour to the local traditional deities and ancestors. +The festival is usually celebrated by the Meitet ‘community and is also referred to as the ‘Festivity of the Gods’. ‘+ This festvalis organized as a piece of momary of the contribution of God in ereating the Universe and also it is celebrated in the memory of the development of plants, animals and human beings. Zo Kutpi festival ‘Mizoram government organised Zo Kutpul (festival) in at least 10 states across India and countries such as US, Myanmar and Bangladesh About ‘©The move was an attemptto unify and strengthen the brotherhood among various Mizo tribes ving in different parts of the world ‘+The event winessed various cultural programmes by different Miz tribes, besides performance by various artistes belonging to Zo ethnic trbes of Mizoram and the Northeast Char Dham Yatra CChar Dham yatra begins in Uttarakhand, a ‘About: + Tho Char Dham Yatra is regarded as one af the most sacred pilgrimage destinations of the Hindus, +The Char Dham Yatra comprises four holy sites ‘namely Bacrinath, Pur, Rameshwaram, and Dwarka ‘+ Infact, the Char Dham or four sacred pilgrims of India ‘are located in four diferent directions of Ind © Badsinath is in the Nortn Region. Puri or Jagannath Puri in he Eastin Ocisha, 4 Rameshwaram isin the South in Tamil Nadu: © _Dwarkais inthe Westin Gujarat, Char Dham and Adi Shankaracharya: ‘+ Adi Shankaracharya founded four *Mathas" or monasteries as seats of Hindu religion at these four holy places comprising the Char Dhar in Uttarakhand ‘+ He founded the Sringeri matha in the south (on the Sringeri Hills), the Jyotir matha at Badrinath in the orth, the Sharada matha onthe Dwarka coast inthe West, and the Govardhan matha at Purl in the east Chota Char Dham: ‘+The Chola Char Dham Yatvais a relatively shorter but very important pilgrimage circuit which is located in the Garhwal part of Uttarakhand. + It consists of Badrinath, Kedamath, Yamunotr, and Gangot + Each Chota Char Dham site finds their mention in Hindu religious texts such as Vedas and puranas, + The holy shrines of Chola Char Dham represent all the three major sects of Hinduism, +The Vaishnav shrine is located at Badrnath, The Shaiva temple is located at Kedarnath, The two SShakta temples are at Gangotrl and Yamunot. Annual Kheer Bhawani Mela Hundreds of Kashmic Pandit devotees prayed at the famous Ragnya Devi temple in Jammu and Kashmirs Ganderval district ‘About: + The Khoer Bhawani mela is one of the biggest religious functions of the Kashmiri Pandis, displaced community of Jammu & Kashmir,At & Culture NEXT IAS +The devotees carry rose petals, walk barefoot, offer tribute to goddess and offer mik and kheer (pudding) at sacted spring ‘+ Belief: The colour of water in spring, which flows below temple, Is believed to be an indication of the valleys wel-being ie. the colour foretell the events that will unfold in next 12 months til next festva Black or darkish colour of water in spring is believed ta.be a sign of inauspicious times for Kashmir valley ‘This time, the water in spring was of clean and milky white colour ‘+ Significance: The pilgrimage has become a symbol ‘of communal harmony and brotherhood as Muslims. in localty make all kinds of arrangements for the Kashmiri Pandits devotees, such as setting up of stalls for flowers and other offerings, offering milk in ‘small earthen pots to devotees coming to pray. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra S$ Jaishankar, Union Minister of External Affairs flags of the fist batch of pilgrims from New Dalhi for this years’ Kalash Mansarovar Yatra, About: + Kalash Mansarovar Yatra (KMY) is known for ts relgous importance. The annual pgrimage holds religous importance for Hindus, Jains and Budahists + Mansarovar Lake Iovate at an alitude of 14,960 ft (4,558) i Said tobe te highest reshwater lake in the word, It located in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China, 840 kiometres from Lhasa, To the ‘wosto tis Lake Rakshastal and tthe north is Mount Katash +The Yatra is organized by the government of nian close cooperation with the Government of the People's Republi of China, State Governments of Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Deli. Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited (KMUN) are othor major Indlan partners ofthe Ministry in organizing the Yatra, kailash Mansarovar Yatra is undertaken via Two Routes: + Lpulekh Pass in Uttarakhane — This route passes through a very mountainous area + Nathu La is @ mountain pass in the Himalayas. it ‘connacts te indian stato of Sikkim with China's Toot ‘Autonomous Region. kis also one ofthe four officially 2 agreed BPM (Border Personnel Meeting) points between the Indian Army and People’s Liberation Army of China for regular consultaions and interactions between the two armies, which helps in ofusing standoffs +The four BPM are: Chushul in Ladakh, Nathu La in Sikkim, Bum La Pass in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh, and Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand Role of China in allowing access to Mansarovar: + China nas agroed to allow pligrims from india to visit Keilash-Mansarovar in Tibet Autonomous Region through Nath La, signaling a thaw in bilateral relations months after it had shut the route through the mountain pass, + Revivalism or Protestantism in Sri Lanka, In recent limes, clashes between Buddhist extremists and Muslims occurred in early 2018, Elephanta Festival Elephanta Festival 2020 was held in Mumbai ‘About: + The Elephanta Festival was held in Mumbai recently. + Ibis a 2 day festival of dance and music occurring celebrated in the month of February. + Started: 2012 + Organizer: Corporation Maharashira Tourism Development + Objective: 4 10 promote touriem and cultural hertage of Mumbai 4 to encourage and showcase the prowess of dance and music. ‘+ This Elophanta festival 2020 is devoted tothe varied classical music and dance forms of India and its culture Background: + Elephanta Island: 4 tis located inear Mumbai © Itwas intay called Gharapuri Portuguese found a monolithic stone elephant sculpture here and christened the isiand as "Elephant. + Elophanta Caves:At & Culture NEXT IAS & Located on Elephanta Island collection of seven cave predominantly decicated to Lord Shiv. they are a temples % It's a UNESCO World Heritage Ste. & It was constructed about the mid-S" to 6 centuries AD. & Two groups of caves: To the east: Stupa Hill which has @ small brick Buddhist monument at the top. It contains two caves, one of which is Unfinished To the west: It isthe larger group and contains the most famous Cave 1 which houses ‘Sadashiva timurt’ The sculpture represents three aspects of Shiva: the Creator, the Preserver, and the Destroyer, The cave aiso consists of a square plan mandapa whose sides measure about 27 m. ‘Ambubachi Fair In June the annual four day Ambubachi festival was held at Kamakhya temple , Assam About Festival ‘+The Ambubachi Mela is celebrated in the capital cty ‘of Guwahati, in the northeastern slate of Assam in Ind, The Ambubachi Mela is the most important festival of the Kamakhya Temple of Guwahal. The ‘Ambubachi is a ritual of excess observed with “Tantrik means’. It is beleved that the presiding {goddess ofthe temple, Devi Kamakhya, the Mother ‘Shakti, goes through her annual cycle of ‘menstruation during this ime stretch. ‘+ During the Ambubachi Mela in Guwahati, the doors of the Kamakhya Templo remain closed for three days. itis believed that the Mother Earth becomes. Lnclean for three days. During this time any kind of farming work is not taken on, Daily worships and ‘other religious performances are also stopped during the Ambubachi Mela of Guwahati in Assam, After the ‘completion of three days, the doors ofthe Kamakhya ‘Temple are reopened. But the doors ofthe temple are reopened only after Devi Kamakinya is bathed and the ‘other rituals are executed. Its then believed that the Mother Eartn has retrieved her purity. This is purely @ ‘tual ofthe Tantrk eu, ‘+The Ambubachi Mela in Guwahati is held at the Kamakhya Temple, after boing closed for the 2 mentioned three days. On the fourth day, the Gevotees of the Goddess are allowed to enter the temple for worshipping Devi Kamakbya. ‘About Kamakhya Temple + Situated on the Nilachal Hils in Guwahati, Assam, itis one ofthe 2 Shakti peeths or Seat of Shakti followers, + Its believed to be the site wnere Hindu ety Sal's womb and genitals fll after she burned to death + Kamakhya Devi, the reigning dolty, is also ‘worshipped as the Goddess of erty. ‘+ Ibis also considered as one ofthe prime seats of Tantrik cut Behdiengkhlam Festival The annual Behdiengkhiam festval was celebrated in july 2019 at Jowai, Jainta Hills District in Meghalaya, ‘About + It is @ tradtional festival clebrated after sowing is one seeking a good harvest and to drive away plague and diseases. ("beh dien"means to drive away vith sticks and “khlam"means plague or pestilence.) +The festvalis observed by 'Prars’ who believe in the traditional faith of "Niamtre" + During the festival young men symbolically drive away evi sprts by beating the roof of every house vith bamboo poles + Women do not participate in the dancing, and have {an important function of offering sacrificial food to the spirits ofthe forefathers +The main feature ofthe festival is the making of the ‘Dein Khlam’, “Symlend” and “Khnong", which ar rounded, polished and tall trunks of toes. + The people also display their artistic skis byerecting ‘rots (tal bamboo structuresdecorated with colour paper and tinsel), ‘+ As part of the celebration, a game similar to football called dat la wakor is also held with each team trying to score a goal with a wooden ballAt & Culture NEXT IAS The jaintia tribe ‘+ They are also known as Syntengs and Pnars. + They reside inthe east part of Meghalaya and they are of an Austo-Asiatc origin. ‘+ They are a matrilineal society 2s the children take the identity o family tte solely from the mother. ‘+ Amongst the Jaintias, iis the youngest daughter Who inherits property and has the obligation to take care and look after the family. ‘+The tribe i famous for artistic weaving, wood. carving and cane and bamboo work ‘+ Jaintia men wear Jymphong and dhoti while the women wrap several pieces of clothes so as to sive a cyindrical shape. During functions the wear ‘crowns of sver and gold with peak attached at the back of it ‘+ Agar from Behdiengkhiam festival the Laho dance festival is also an important festival ofthe Jaintias, Bathukamma Festival ‘+The women folk normally got back to their parent's home from their in-laws and breathe the fresh air of ‘reedom to colebrate the colors of flowers +The flowers are carefully arranged row after row in a brass plate (called taambalam)in circular rows and in atemate colors + Batukamma celebrates the inherent relationship between earth, water and the human beings. During preceding week, make "boddemma' (a deity of Gowri ~ mother Durga — ‘made with earthly mud) along wih Batukamma and Immerse itin the pond, Ths help reinforce the ponds and helps it retain more water. the entire women + The flowers used in Batukamma have a great quality of purying water and such flowers when immersed in abundance into the pond have the effect of cleansing the water and making the environment much better. Navroz Festival Parsi New Year Navroz is celebrated in India on August 17 The annual nine day Bathukamma festival was celebrated between 28 september and 6 october 2019, About ‘+ Bathukamma is @ colourful and vibrant festival of ‘Telangana and celebrated by women, wih lowers that grow exclusively in each region, This festivals a ‘symbol of Telangana’s cutural identity. ‘+ Bathukamma comes during the latter half of ‘monsoon, before the anst of winter ‘= The monsoon rains usually bring plenty of water into the fresh water ponds of Telangana and itis also the time when wildflowers bloom in various vibrant colors all across the uncultivated and barren plains of the region. ‘+The most abundant of these are the ‘gunuka pool and tangedu pool. There are other flowers too lke the banti, chemanti, nand=-vardhanam ete ‘+The festival begins a week before the grand ‘Saddula Batukamma’ (the grand finale of the Batukamma festival) which falls two days before Dussehra, 24 ‘About: + It is calebrated to mark the beginning of the new Iranian calendar. + Meaning: In Persian, ‘Nav’ means new, and ‘Roz! stands for the day, this erally translates to ‘new day’ + This tration is believed to have begun over 3,000, years ago, and is observed by Iranians and the Parsi ‘community around the world + In India it is mast prominently colebrated in Maharashtra and Gujarat on account ofthe sizeable Parsi population in these states. + Navroz celebrations begin on New Year's eve, also known as Patel, when Parsis rigorously go into cleaning mode externally too and got rd of all their Unwanted belongings and possessions, in the hopes of cleansing themselves. ‘Why do Indians Celebrate Navror in August? Iran and other pars of the Middle East, Zoroastrians celebrated the Persian New Year using the FasliBastnai calendar, which fixed the fist day of the year on the Spring Equinox, usually March 21st To this day, this remains a popular festival Known asAt & Culture NEXT IAS Nowruz, celebrated by many peoples and cutures in the region, despite not being Zoroastrians, ‘+The Parsis however, observe the new year using the ‘Shahenshahi calendar which does not account for leap years, meaning this holiday has now moved by 200 from its original day of the vernal equinox. Zoroastrianism + Parsis follow the rligion of Zoroastrianism, one of the oldest known monotheistic religions. + It was founded by the Prophet Zarathustra in ancient Iran approximately 3,500 years ago. + There are an estimated 2.6 milion Zoroastians Worldwide withthe Parsis in India being the largest single grou. ‘Aadi Mahotsav National Tribal Festival “Aadi Mahotsav" held at Leh- Ladakh on 17" August, 2079, About: ‘+ Ministry: Aadi Mahotsav (National Tribal Festival) is joint iniiatve of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India & Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of india (TRIFED) + Duration: itis a 9-day event ‘+ Theme of the festival: “A celebration of the spirit of ‘Tribal Craft, Culture and Commerce’ ‘+ Role of TRIFED: TRIFED essentially isto play the ‘ale ofa 'Service provider & Market Developer. ‘About the Festival: + The event wil see around 160 Tribal artisans from ‘more than 20 states across the country, actively participating and showcasing their masterpieces. + Some of the art forms showcased are 4 Tribal Paintings like Gond art from Madhya Pradesh, War art from Maharashtra; Metal craft from Chhattisgarh; Black pottery from Manipur ete. % Dance: Jabro Dance - a nomadic dance and ‘song of people inhabiting eastern Ladakh ang Spawo dance, a heroic song and dance 25 associated with a legendary hero of Himalayan region called K’sar etc, Nuakhai Harvest Festival Recently Nuakhai festival is celebrated in Osisha ‘About: + Nuakhal is a Postharvest festival celebrated especially in Wester Odisha. + IIs an agrarian festival, which is observed to ‘welcome the new rice of te season. + Nuakhal is made up of two words nua means new ‘and Khai means food, + Ibis colebrated one day after celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi + Nuakhal is understood to have nine colors and as a consequence, nine sets of rituals are folowed as a prelude to the actual day of celebration stating from Behrana te Nuakha and all culminating in Juhar Bhot. + On the occasion, folk songs and dances are organized displaying local culture, various shades of the society tradition and + Nuakhal festival traces t origi to the Vedic period where the sages or Rishis used to talk about Panchyaina, One among them was Pralambana yalna which means the cutting of new crops and offering them to mother goddess as followed in Nuakha festival + Significance: Nuakhal Festival gives the present sociely a great message of the relevance of agricuture in the economic progress of the country and the role of farmers in the process of nation building in those days and also in the present days. + Odisha is known for celebrating +3 festvals in 12 ‘months as said popularly in Ocia ‘Bara Massa re Teraa Parval International Ramayan Festival Recently, Home Minister inaugurated fith international Ramayana Festival in New Delhi ‘About: + The Indian Council for Cultural Relations. had organised the fit International Ramayana Festival here between September 17-19At & Culture NEXT IAS ‘This festival Ie part of Indian government's Culutral diplomacy. Padicipation of groups from eight counties, including ‘Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, ‘The frst festival in 2015 was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Significance: ‘The festival present incia’s soft power with cultural foutreach in countries where plays on the epic Ramayana are staged, Ramla, the traditional performance of the Ramayana is an intangible cutural nertage of India as declared by UNESCO. ‘Sindhu Darshan Festival Recenty the festival was celebrated in Leh About: ‘The Sinchu Darshan Festival is an annual festival to celebrate River Indus (Sindhu) as an icon of ‘communal harmony and unity of India, This is a 3-day festival, which is held every year on {ull moon day (Guru Purnima) inthe month of June in Leh in Ladakh district of Jammu & Kashmir. ‘The coleorations of this festival were started in the month of October 1997, for the celebration of unity as Well as communal harmony along with the national integration, “There is also a symbolic salute to the brave soldiers of he county. [tthe time ofthe festival, the local artists from various parts of the country traditional dance performances. People from all religions, castes, and regions become a part ofthis festival Visitors carry water from the river oftheir own state in ‘earthen pots and immerse in tne Sindhu River. 4 Its believed that as the waters from all the rivets mingle, thereby symbolizing mut imensional cultural identity 26 Chamliyal Fair ‘Annual Chamiyal fair begins on Indo-Pak border without Pak’ participation. ‘About: + Lakhs of devotees thronged the Chamlyal border shrine along the India-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir for the annual fair known for being @ mark of Hindu-Mustim unity ‘+ The annual fair whichis boing held since centuries is organised atthe shrine of Baba Dalip Singh Manhas, 2 saint popularly known as Baba Chamilia ‘+ But there was no tradiional exchange of ‘chadars’ and holy soll wth Pakistan forthe second successive year. ‘+ Itused to be an important meeting point for people ‘and officals of both the countries, but the traition stopped last year after a fring by Pakistani forces led to the death of 4 Border Securty Forces (BSF) personnel ‘Attukal Pongal Festival The annual Attukal Pongal festival was held for 2020 in the month of March ‘About Attukal Pongal + Attukal Pongalais a world-renowned ritualist annual festival celebrated atthe famous Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Trivandrum district of Kerala by the women Toke. ‘+The festival lasts for ton days which commences on the Bharani day of the Malayalam month of Makaram or Kumbham that concludes with the sacrificial offering known as Kuruthitharpanam at night + It usually falls in February or March, Attukal Bhagavathy Temple to Goddess Bhadrakali (Karnak!) who Is fondly referred to as ‘Attukalamma’ and the Attukal Pongala Festival is observed strictly by the womenfok every year without tall is dedicated + Regardless ofthe scorching heat ofthe sun, lakhs of ‘women in traditional attres line up on either side of the roads around the Altukal Temple, making offerings of Pongala to appease the Goddess ‘AttukalammaAt & Culture NEXT IAS + Pongala is actually a mix of rice with jaggery and