Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

• 1861
• Canning
• Union Ministry of Culture

The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (AMASR Act) regulates the preservation of monuments and archaeological sites of national importance.

Mahakaleshwar temple, Ujjain

• It is situated in Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) on the banks of the river Shipra.
• The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is among the most eminent of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India.
• The temple complex bears strong influences of the Bhumija, Chalukya, and Maratha architectural styles. 
• It is the only jyotirlinga facing the south
• One of the most famous features of Mahakaleshwar Temple is the Bhasma aarti
• It is believed to be swayambhu i.e. self-manifested 

**

Note 12 Jyotirlingas 

Kashi Tamil Sangamam

•  IIT Madras and Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is the venue for the one-month-long Kashi Tamil Sangamam
• Ministry of Education
• Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
• Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat

Pandya King

• King Parakrama
• 15th Century
• Madurai
• Kasi Vishwanath Temple in Tamil Nadu

Khongjom Day: 23 March

• Paid Homage to the martyrs of 1891 War
• Anglo - Manipur War
• The Kingdom of Manipur and the British Empire

Paona Brajabasi

• A military officer

Modhera Sun Temple

• 11th century (1026)
• Raja Bimdev I - Chalukya
• Solanki Dynasty
• Nagara Style
• World Heritage Site
• **India's First 24*7 solar-powered village

PYQs

Which of the following is/are famous for Sun temples? (CSE 2017)
1. Arasavalli
2. Amarkantak
3. Omkareshwar

Select the correct answer using the code given below

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Mains Question

1. Safeguarding the Indian art heritage is the need of the moment. Discuss 
2. Indian philosophy and tradition played a significant role in conceiving and shaping the monuments and art in India. Discuss

Kali Bein

• starts from Hoshiarpur
• meets the confluence of the rivers Beas and Sutlej in Kapurthala

Significance

• First Guru, Nanak Dev, is said to have got enlightenment here

**CM Punjab: drink water from it

Alluri Sitharama Raju

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a 30-foot-tall bronze statue of Alluri Sitharama Raju at Bhimavaram in Andhra Pradesh as the year-long celebrations of the freedom fighter’s 125th birth anniversary.
• inspired by the Non-Cooperation Movement
• talked of the greatness of Mahatma Gandhi

Source: The Indian Express

Bhagyalakshmi Temple

• Dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.
• Hyderabad.

Sao Joao Festival

• Goa
• Every Monsoon
• St John The Baptist
• Playing the traditional gumott, a boat festival, Servings of feni, and a place of pride for a new son-in-law
• Konkani Songs
• Musical instruments: gumot and cansaim
• jumping into well is part of festival

Pattachitra Painting

 CM(Odisha) presented a Pattachitra Painting to Pope.

About

• 12th Century
• Painted on a piece of cloth
• Closely Related to the cult of Shri Jagannath and the temple Traditions in Puri.

Materials Used

• natural substances

Popular Themes

• Thia Badhia: Depiction of temple of Jagannath
• Krishna Lila:
• Dasabatara Patti: Ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu
• Panchmukhi: Related to Lord Ganesh

Mahakali temple in Pavagadh, Gujarat

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurled a flag after inaugurating the revamped Mahakali temple, which was destroyed by the 15th-century Gujarat ruler Mahmud Begda. 

the temple is said to have been destroyed by 15th-century Gujarat ruler Sultan Mahmud Begda (1458 to1511), who had set up his capital in Champaner near Pavagadh after defeating the Rajput rulers. Begda was the most prominent ruler of the Gujarat Sultanate and had earned the title Begda after conquering the 15th-century main forts of Gujarat: Junagadh and Pavagadh.

Source: The Hindu

Buddhism

• Siddhartha, as the Buddha was named at birth.
• Sakya clan
• He was deeply anguished when he saw an old man, a sick man, and a corpse
• After this he came to be known as the Buddha or the Enlightened One

·    According to Buddhist philosophy, the world is transient (anicca) and constantly changing; it is also soulless (anatta) as there is nothing permanent or eternal in it. Within this transient world, sorrow (dukkha) is intrinsic to human existence

Buddha’s life –

• where he was born (Lumbini),
• where he attained enlightenment (Bodh Gaya),
• where he gave his first sermon (Sarnath) and
• where he attained Nibbana (Kusinagara)

The structure of the stupa

The stupa (a Sanskrit word meaning a heap) originated as a simple semi-circular mound of earth, later called Anda.

Books:

• The Vinaya Pitaka included rules and regulations for those who joined the sangha or monastic order;
•  the Buddha’s teachings were included in the Sutta Pitaka;
• the Abhidhamma Pitaka dealt with philosophical matters.

 Four Holy Relics of Lord Buddha are being taken to Mongolia

• Together, they are known as the ‘Kapilvastu Relics’ since they are from a site in Bihar believed to be the ancient city of Kapilvastu.

His relics from the funeral pyre were collected and divided into eight shares to be distributed among the

• Ajathsatrus of Magadha, 
• Licchavis of Vaishali, 
• Sakyas of Kapilavastu, 
• Mallas of Kushinagar, 
• Bullies of Allakappa,
• Mallas of Pava,
• Koliyas of Ramagrama  
• Brahmana of Vethadipa.

Source

1. https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/buddha-relics-mongolia-state-guest-importance-7966266/
2. NCERT

Sant Tukaram Shila Mandir: Dehu in Pune

• his work are central to the Warkari sect spread across Maharashtra.
• His message about a casteless society and his denial of rituals had led to a social movement.

For reference:

Source:

 https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/the-sant-tukaram-temple-and-its-significance-7963601/

Note:

 Read About BHAKTI MOVEMENT in India

Jama Masjid

• constructed in 1650–56 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahān
• Islamic Architecture
• Oriented toward the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Mughals

Sahitya Akademi

• The Sahitya Akademi was formally inaugurated by the Government of India on 12 March 1954.
• It was registered as a society on 7 January 1956, under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• only institution that undertakes literary activities in 24 Indian languages, including English.
• The Head Office of the Sahitya Akademi is housed in Rabindra Bhavan, 35 Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi. This elegant building was constructed in 1961 to commemorate the birth centenary of Raindranath Tagore, and houses all the three National Akademies, namely, the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the Lalit Kala Akademi and the Sahitya Akademi.

Source:http://sahitya-akademi.gov.in/

Ganga Sagar Mela: West Bengal :AN ENDLESS OCEAN, A TIMELESS TALE

Gangasagar Mela is the World's second largest human congregation at the confluence of holy river Ganga and Bay of Bengal after Kumbh.

Gangasagar Mela is held during the auspicious period of Makar Sankranti.

Source:https://www.gangasagar.in/

Art and Culture 2021-22

Konark Sun Temple :

• It was built by King Narasimhadeva I (Ganga Dynasty) -1238-1250CE.
• Kalingan Style Temple (Nagara Style)
• It represents a chariot of the Sun God.