FEB 14
Kotravai sculpture from the Pallava era found 💥
⋆ Recently, archaeologists unearthed an eighth-century Kotravai sculpture, an artifact dating back to the Pallava period, near Ulundurpet, Tamil Nadu.
| Structure | Sculpture – Kotravai |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | ⋆ The sculpture, stands five feet tall and four feet wide, depicting Kotravai with eight hands, characteristic of the eighth century. ⋆ Kotravai is the Tamil goddess of war and victory. She is also the mother goddess, and the goddess of fertility, agriculture, and hunters. Her name comes from the Tamil word korram, which means victory, success, or bravery. |
| Location | ⋆ Ulundurpet, in Tamil Nadu |
| History/ Built By | ⋆ It is crafted from slab stone during the eighth century Pallava period. |
| Features | ⋆ The sculpture portrays items like chakkara, sword, bell, and abhaya mudra in its right hands, ⋆ The left hands display a conch, bow, shield, and Uru Mudhra, along with bangles in all hands. |
BAPS Mandir- Abu Dhabi UAE 💥
⋆ Prime Minister Narendra Modi has officially opened a new Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, built by the BAPS society. It is the first Hindu temple in the UAE
| Structure | Temple – BAPS Hindu Mandir |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | ⋆ The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of cultural unity and religious tolerance. Built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, this traditional Hindu temple represents a milestone in interfaith relations, fostering understanding, acceptance, and unity among people of diverse religious backgrounds. ⋆ Consecrated on 14 February 2024, amidst a grand inaugural ceremony, the mandir’s construction journey reflects a collaborative effort spanning continents and cultures |
| Location | Abu Dhabi, UAE. |
| History/ Build By | BAPS – Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha |
| Features | ⋆ Type– It is built in traditional Nagar style of architecture. ⋆ Size- It has an astounding 402 pillars, meticulously carved from 25,000 stone pieces. The temple stands tall at 108 feet, being crowned with seven shikhars (spires) each representing one of the seven emirates of the UAE. ⋆ Material used– Pink Rajasthan sandstone, white Italian marble and 18 lakh bricks. ⋆ Entrance– The entrance of the temple is marked by eight murtis (idols). These idols symbolise the eight values foundational to Sanatana Dharma. ⋆ Domes– Temple is surrounded by ‘Dome of Harmony’ and ‘Dome of Peace’. ⋆ Shrines– ▸The temple houses seven shrines, each dedicated to different deities hailing from the North, East, West and South parts of India. ▸These deities include Lord Ram and his wife Sita; Lord Hanuman; Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati and children Ganesh and Karthik etc. ▸Each shrine is adorned with exquisite carvings. It reflects the life and teachings of their respective deities. ⋆ Inscriptions– Stories from ancient civilisations such as Maya, Aztec, Egyptian, Arabic, European, Chinese and African are all captured in stone. This is a testament to the interconnected essence of global spirituality. ⋆ Eco-friendly architecture– ▸The temple has been built by using fly ash instead of cement to reduce its carbon footprint. ▸Nano tiles have been installed with designs to keep visitors comfortable even in extreme heat. ▸It has not used any ferrous material. |
💡Additional Info
| About BAPS |
| ⋆ Description– BAPS is a socio-spiritual Hindu faith with its roots in the Vedas. Its global network of mandirs and centres hosts many moral, social, cultural, and spiritual activities. ⋆ Founder– It is based on the Vedic teachings propagated by Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781-1830 CE). ⋆ Establishment– It was established in 1907 CE by Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj. ⋆ Basic principles-It follows No Alcohol, No Addictions, No Adultery, No Meat, No Impurity of body and mind way of life. ⋆ Social service– It is also engaged in a variety of humanitarian activities that include services in times of natural calamities, primary schools, students’ hostels, hospitals, diagnostic camps, anti-addiction drives etc. |
FEB 12
200th Birth Anniversary of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati PM addressed Programme in Morbi Gujrat 💥
⋆ In a momentous commemoration of the 200th birth anniversary of Swami Dayananda Saraswati, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi delivered a profound address via video message at the birthplace of the revered Swami, Tankara in Morbi, Gujarat.
⋆ The event, organized by the Arya Samaj, stands as a testament to Swami Ji’s enduring contributions to Indian spirituality and societal reform
Swami Dayanand Saraswati
| Personality | Swami Dayanand Saraswati |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | Swami Dayanand Saraswati was born as Mool Shankar Tiwari on 12th February 1824 in Tankara, Gujarat. He wandered as an ascetic for fifteen years (1845-60) in search of truth. |
| Teachings /Philosophy | ⋆ He preached ‘Universalism’, and not any specific caste. ⋆ To go back to the roots of their religion, which are the Vedas. ⋆ First to give the call for Swaraj |
| Contributions | ⋆ He established the Arya Samaj on April 7, 1875 ⋆ The Dayanand Anglo Vedic schools, He introduced a complete overhaul of the education system and is often considered one of the visionaries of modern India. The first DAV School was established in Lahore in 1886 ⋆ One of his most influential works is the book Satyarth Prakash, which contributed to the Indian independence movement. |
Nazool Land– Behind recent dispute and Violence in Haldwani 💥
⋆ Recently, violence erupted in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, after the administration conducted a demolition drive at a mosque and madrasa allegedly on Nazool land.
| Structure | Land – Nazool |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | ⋆ Nazool land is government-owned property. However, usually it is not directly managed as state property. ⋆ It is often leased to entities for fixed periods, ranging from 15 to 99 years. ⋆ In case of lease expiry, one can approach the authority to renew the lease by submitting a written application to the revenue department of the local development authority. ⋆ The government can either renew or cancel leases. |
| Location | All over India |
| History/ Built By | Nazool land originated because kings and royals lacked documentation to prove ownership of lands seized during British rule. |
| Features | The government generally uses Nazool land for public purposes like building schools, hospitals, Gram Panchayat buildings, etc. |
FEB 11
Commemorative Coins Honor Sikh Philanthropist Sri Satguru Ram Singh Ji 💥
⋆ Minister of State – Culture & External Affairs Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi, today released a commemorative coin of Rs 200/- and a currency coin of Rs 10/- on the occasion of the bicentennial birth anniversary of Sri Satguru Ram Singh Ji in the august presence of His Holiness Sri Satguru Udey Singh Ji, the present Guru of Namdhari sect.
| Personality | Sri Satguru Ram Singhji |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | ⋆ Sri Satguru Ram Singhji was a Sikh philosopher, reformer and freedom fighter. ⋆ He was born in 1816 in village Raiyan in district of Ludhiana in Punjab. |
| Teachings /Philosophy | Puritanism and stressed the importance of the divine Name – reciting the “Gurbani” (Teachings of the Guru). |
| Contributions | ⋆ He spearheaded the Namdhari sect to free the country. ⋆ He started Kuka Movement to free the country a month before the Mutiny of 1857. He advocated boycott of the British merchandise and services. ⋆ Social Reformer: He preached against killing the girl child in infancy and stood firmly against the Sati Pratha and urged people to remarry the widow to maintain her status in the society ⋆ He started a new mass marriage system wherein the marriages were performed by spending a rupee and twenty-five paisa only. The dowry was totally banned. |
Ministry of Culture to launch Sangeet Natak Akademi in Hyderabad, honouring Ghantasala’s legacy 💥
⋆ The Ministry of Culture is gearing up to launch the Sangeet Natak Akademi in Hyderabad, paying homage to the enduring legacy of Ghantasala.
| Personality | Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao, popularly known as Ghantasala, was a singer par excellence was, an Indian film composer, and Playback Singer and a freedom fighter |
| Teachings /Philosophy | – |
| Contributions | ⋆ He became a famous playback singer with super hit songs for films like ” Keelu Gurram” and “Laila Majnu”. He sang more than 10,000 songs in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malyalam and worked as a music director for over 100 films. He gave his voice for all the popular heroes of Telugu film industry. He became a famous playback singer with super hit songs for films like ” Keelu Gurram” and “Laila Majnu”. ⋆ Ghantasala participated in the ‘Quit India Movement‘ of 1942, for which he was arrested and imprisoned for 18 months. ⋆ His last gift to the people was his rendition of the Bhagavad Geeta, which is the most popular version even till today |
FEB 9
Dhokra Shilpkala Sculpture 💥
Chhattisgarh’s Ocher Studio is helping the artisans to preserve India’s 4,000-year-old craft- Dhokra Shilpkala.
| Structure | Sculpture – Dhokra Shipkala |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | The word “Dhokra” is believed to be derived from the Dhokra Damar tribes, the traditional metal smiths of Central India. It uses the lost-wax technique, or cire perdue, for metal casting. |
| Location | Central India |
| History/ Built By | The origins can be traced back to the tribal communities residing in the regions of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha. |
| Features | ⋆ The beauty of Dhokra Shilpkala lies in its rustic charm and the organic nature of its designs. ⋆ Artisans draw inspiration from nature, mythology, and everyday life.They incorporate motifs such as animals, birds, deities, and tribal symbols into their creations. ⋆ Each piece display a sense of timeless elegance and cultural richness. |
FEB 7
Suttur Jatra Mahothsava celebrated in memory of Adi Jagadguru Shivarathreshwara Shivayogi Swami
⋆ The six-day Annual Jathra Mahotsava of Adi Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara Shivayogi Mahaswamiji this year will be held from 6-11 February, 2024 in Suttur, Nanjangud Taluk, Mysuru District
| Personality | Sri Shivarathreeshwara Shivayogi Mahaswamiji |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | Adi Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara Shivayogi Mahaswamiji was a great saint of the 10th century AD. |
| Teachings /Philosophy | Guiding principles – “Work is Worship” and “Selfless Service”. |
| Contributions | ⋆ He came into fame while restoring peace between two warring kings, Rachamalla IV of Gangas of Talakadu and Rajaraja Chola I of the Chola dynasty . ⋆ He advised both kings to abandon war and choose peace. As a result, both the kings reached out to each other to extend a hand of friendship. |
“Ajanta & Ellora now part of Swadesh Darshan scheme” 💥
⋆ The Ministry of Tourism has recently included the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora caves in its Swadesh Darshan Scheme II.
| Structure | Caves – Ajanta and Ellora |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | ⋆ Ajanta caves are a total of 29 buddhist caves in Ajanta of which 4 were used as Chaitya or prayer halls while 25 were used as Viharas or residential caves.. ⋆ Ellora caves are a group of 100 caves at the site of which 34 caves are open to the public. 17 caves out of these 34 are themed around Hinduism, 12 caves depict the themes of Buddhist and 5 caves are of Jain faith. |
| Location | Sahyadri ranges (Western Ghats). |
| History/ Built By | ⋆ Ajanta caves were developed in the period between 200 B.C. to 650 A.D. Satavahana dynasty and the Vakataka dynasty are dedicated for its construction ⋆ While Ellora date to the period between the 6th and 11th Centuries AD. The Rashtrakuta dynasty and Kalachuris constructed part of the Hindu and Buddhist caves of Ellora and the Yadava dynasty constructed a number of the Jain caves. |
| Features | ⋆ Both Ajanta and Ellora Caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 ⋆ The caves are carved out of flood basalt rock of a cliff, part of the Deccan Traps ⋆ Ajanta Caves: Mainly famous for their Paintings. The figures in these caves were done using fresco painting and the outlines of these paintings were done in red colour. A prominent feature of these paintings is the absence of blue colour. Dying princess, flying apsara, and preaching Buddha are the famous fresco paintings of Ajanta. ⋆ Ellora Caves: Ellora has a number of well-known caverns ▸Vishwakarma Cave, also known as a carpenter’s cave, is a Buddhist Chaitya cave. ▸Here, Buddha is seated in Vyakhyana Mudra, with a Bodhi tree etched behind him. ▸Ravan ki Khai is the theme of Cave No. 14. ▸Dashavatar Temple is located in Cave No. 15. ▸Kailash temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is located in Cave No. 16. |
390-Year-Old Deepastambham (Lamp Post) 💥
⋆ Recently, archaeologists discovered a 390-year-old Deepastambham (lamp post) on the banks of the River Krishna in Nalgonda district, Telangana. This discovery sheds new light on trade ties in the region during early medieval times.
| Structure | Inscription – Deepastambham |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | The inscription, comprising a fusion of Telugu and Tamil languages which suggests that the pillar was dedicated to Kasi Viswanatha. |
| Location | Banks of the River Krishna in Nalgonda district, Telangana |
| History/ Built By | According to the inscription found on the lamp post, the pillar can be dated back to June 1635.During the construction of the lamp post, the region was governed by the Qutb Shahi dynasty. |
| Features | ⋆ The inscription, on a 20-foot-tall lamppost with hollows for lamps, is a mix of Telugu and Tamil languages dated to 1635 C.E. ⋆ The inscription begins with obeisance to the god Kasi Viswanatha and records the erection of a pillar for the god Kasi Visvanatha by Polinedu, son of Vali Munulayya. ⋆ This lamp post might have been the geographical indicator for traders and ships passing through this town |
FEB 5
Tripura board allows Kokborok in Roman script 💥
⋆ Widespread protests by students, indigenous communities, tribal forums, and political parties against the Tripura Board of Secondary Education (TBSE).
⋆ TBSE agrees to allow Kokborok language exam papers to be written in both Roman and Bangla scripts.
⋆ Initially, only the Bangla script was allowed for Kokborok exams.
| Literary | Language – Kokborok |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | It is the language spoken by Borok People belonging to Tripura. The Term ‘Kok’ denotes ‘verbal’ and borok denotes ‘people’ or ‘human’ |
| Status | It is one of the state languages of Tripura, notified on January 19, 1979. |
| History | ⋆ The dialect belongs to the Tibeto-Burman group of languages, and its root can be traced to the Sino-Tibetan speech family. ⋆ Kokborok got the written form in the year 1897 as Doulot Ahammad, a Muslim scholar, wrote the first Kokborok Grammar viz. “KOKBOROMA ANG TRIPURA – VYAKARAN GRAMMAR.” |
India’s first national epigraphy museum to come up in Hyd 💥
⋆ The country’s first digital National Museum of Epigraphy is set to be established in a wing of Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad.
⋆ Over one lakh ancient inscriptions, including stone inscriptions and copper plate grants, will be exhibited at the museum.
⋆ Spearheaded by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), this is India’s first digital National Museum of Epigraphy
⋆ Recently, the Indian Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Maa Kamakhya Divya Pariyojana (Maa Kamakhya Access Corridor). It has been sanctioned under the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North Eastern Region (PM-DevINE) scheme.
| Structure | Temple – Kamakhya |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | ⋆ The Kamakhya temple situated at the Nilachal hills is one of the oldest and most revered centers of Tantric practices, dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya. |
| Location | Nilachal hills in Guwahati |
| History/ Built By | ⋆ It is believed that the temple is where parts of Devi Sati’s corpse fell while her husband Lord Shiva performed taandav. As per religious beliefs, her genitals and womb fell where the present-day temple is located. ⋆ According to the legends, the location of the fallen genitalia and the womb was not known till Kamdev, the God of love, went in search of it for his penance. After finding the parts, Kamdev was rid of his curse (given by Brahma). Thus the place came to be known as Kamakhya. ⋆ According to the legends, it was built by the demon king Narakasura but records are available only from 1565 when Koch king Naranarayana rebuilt the temple. |
| Features | ⋆ It is one of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Peethas in India. ⋆ The main temple is surrounded by individual temples dedicated to the ten Mahavidyas:Kali, Tara, Sodashi, Bhuvaneshwari, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi and Kamalatmika. It is a centrepiece of Tantrik Shaktism cult in India ⋆ Being the centre for Tantra worship this temple attracts thousands of tantra devotees in an annual festival known as the Ambubachi Mela. Another annual celebration is the Manasha Puja. |
💡Additional Info
| Scheme | PM – DEVINE |
|---|---|
| Aspect | Details |
| About | ⋆ The PM-DevINE scheme as a Central Sector scheme, was introduced as a part of the Union Budget 2022-23. The Cabinet granted approval for the PM-DevINE scheme on 12th October 2022. It has been granted 100% Central funding, ensuring that resources are directly allocated to the development initiatives. ⋆ It will be implemented by Ministry of Development of North-East Region. |
| Time period | 2023-24 for sanction and 2025-26 for completion |
| Aim and Objectives | ⋆ Infrastructure Development: In line with the spirit of PM GatiShakti, PM-DevINE aims to fund infrastructure projects in a cohesive manner, ensuring seamless connectivity and accessibility across the NER. ⋆ Supporting Social Development Projects: Recognizing the unique needs and challenges of the NER, the scheme endeavors to support social development projects that address critical issues and improve the overall quality of life for the region’s inhabitants. ⋆ Empowering Youth and Women: PM-DevINE seeks to create livelihood opportunities specifically targeting the youth and women of the NER, enabling them to participate actively in the region’s development and progress. |
| Eligibility & coverage | “PM-DevINE” will cover all the eight states of the North Eastern Region of India, viz. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura |
| Benefits | ⋆ Infrastructure Boost: PM-DevINE focuses on funding convergent infrastructure projects for integrated development in the North Eastern Region. ⋆ Industry Support: The scheme provides crucial support for industries, fostering economic growth and job creation. ⋆ Social Development: Addressing felt needs, PM-DevINE initiates social development projects to uplift communities. ⋆ Livelihood Empowerment: Special emphasis on creating livelihood opportunities for youth and women, contributing to inclusive growth. ⋆ Employment Generation: Through infrastructure and industry support, the scheme aims to generate substantial employment in the region. ⋆ Targeted Development: PM-DevINE identifies and addresses specific gaps in various sectors for more balanced development. ⋆ Financial Commitment: With an initial allocation of Rs. 1,500 crore and an overall outlay of Rs. 6,600 crore, the scheme ensures substantial financial backing. ⋆ State-specific Projects: Projects are approved on a state-wise basis, tailored to address the unique needs of each state in the North Eastern Region. ⋆ Avoiding Duplication: Excludes projects already funded elsewhere to optimize resource allocation and prevent duplication. ⋆ Transparent Selection: The scheme follows a transparent project selection process involving multiple authorities for rigorous evaluation and inclusion |
FEB 3
Surajkund Mela 2024, Theme, Partner Nations, Significance
⋆ The 37th Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2024 has commenced in Surajkund Haryana, , will feature Gujarat as the theme state
⋆ Held annually in February, this event draws crowds from across the globe to the historic Surajkund, also known as the ‘Lake of the Sun.’
⋆ The fair was started in 1987 and is now considered one of the largest handicraft fairs in South Asia
⋆ Tanzania is the partner nation for this year’s Surajkund International Crafts Mela
FEB 1
Varanasi District court allows Hindu worship inside sealed area of Gyanvapi mosque 💥
⋆ Varanasi district court permits pujas in sealed cellar of Gyanvapi mosque complex, appoints DM to make arrangements for rituals.
| Structure | Mosque – Gyanvapi |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | One of the controversial historical site, the Gyanvapi Mosque gets its name derived from an adjoining well, the Gyanvapi, or Well of Knowledge. . It is considered the centre of the cosmic territory of Kashi, and serves as the sacral mundi for initiation and completion rituals. |
| Location | Varanasi |
| History/ Built By | The Gyanvapi Mosque is believed to have been built in 1669 during the reign of Aurangzeb, who ordered the demolition of the existing Vishweshwar temple and its replacement by a mosque. This is mentioned in the 1937 book, ‘History of Benares: From the Earliest Times Down to 1937’, by A S Altekar, |
| Features | ⋆ Gyanvapi Masjid is a one-of-a-kind combination of Mughal and Hindu architectural traditions. ⋆ The Mosque has ornate carvings, minarets, and a large courtyard. ⋆ Visitors are greeted with exquisite calligraphy, arches, and domes inside the main prayer area. ⋆ Gyanvapi well is Considered to be the most sacred water pool on Earth, the Gyanvapi well is also called the Shivatirtha ⋆ An old sculpture of the Nandi bull inside the compound of the present Kashi Vishwanath Temple faces the wall of the mosque instead of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. It is believed that Nandi is in fact, facing the sanctum sanctorum of the original Vishweshwar temple. The plinth of the temple was left untouched, and served as the courtyard of the mosque. ⋆ One of the walls of the temple became the qibla wall, the most ornate and important wall in a mosque that faces Mecca. |
| Structure | Temple – Kashi Vishwanath |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most famous temple in Varanasi, also known as the Golden temple dedicated to the Lord Shiva. |
| Location | Varanasi |
| History/ Built By | ⋆ Kashi Vishwanath temple was constructed by the Hari Chandra in the 11th century. ⋆ The present Kashi Vishwanath Temple was built in the 18th century by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, immediately to the south of the mosque. |
| Features | ⋆ The temple stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganga, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shivatemples. ⋆ Constructed in the 18th century in the Nagara style of architecture, it has five shikharas (spires), which start from the bottom and converge on the top. The main temple is quadrangle and is surrounded by shrines of other gods. ⋆ The main deity is known by the name Vishvanatha or Vishveshvara meaning Ruler of The Universe. ⋆ The two domes of the temple were covered by the gold offered by the Punjab Kesari Maharaja Ranjeet Singh in 1839. ⋆ Many Hindus have long believed that the original lingam of the erstwhile Vishweshwar temple was hidden by the priests inside the Gyanvapi well during Aurangzeb’s raid. |
Auroville Exposure Tour
⋆ Students under the Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat (EBSB) programme visited Auroville town to learn about the working of four key units.
⋆ Auroville has its origins in the French language, “Aurore” meaning dawn and “Ville” meaning village/city. Additionally, it is named after Sri Aurobindo.
⋆ Auroville is a universal township in the making for a population of up to 50,000 people from around the world. It is located in Viluppuram district of Tamil Nadu (some parts are in Puducherry).It was founded by Mirra Alfassa in 1968 to implement Sri Aurobindo’s vision of new forms of individual and collective life.
💡Additional Info
| Personality | About Sri Aurobindo |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | Sri Aurobindo a yogi, seer, philosopher, poet, and Indian nationalist. |
| Teachings /Philosophy | He propounded a philosophy of divine life on earth through spiritual evolution. Also Known as integral yoga. According to him, Jnana (knowledge), Bhakti (devotion) and Karma (work ethics) can lead man to the divine path. |
| Contributions | ⋆ From 1902 to 1910 he partook in the struggle to free India from the British. As a result of his political activities, he was imprisoned in 1908 (Alipore Bomb case). ⋆ In Pondicherry he founded a community of spiritual seekers, which took shape as the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in 1926. ⋆ Literary Works ▸An English newspaper called Bande Mataram (in 1905). ▸Bhagavad Gita and Its Message ▸The Future Evolution of Man ▸Rebirth and Karma |