Question Discussion & Solution

The correct answer is Gujarat.

Key Points

• 'Rani ki Vav' is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites is located in the state of Gujarat.
  • "Rani ki Vav" is a stepwell situated in the town of Patan in the Gujarat state of India. It is located on the banks of the Saraswati river.
  • "Rani ki vav" is considered the finest and one of the largest examples of stepwell architecture in Gujarat.
  • "Rani ki vav" has been declared a Monument of National Importance and protected by the Archaeological Sites Act (ASI). It was added to the list of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites on 22 June 2014.
  • "Rani ki vav" was named India's "Cleanest Iconic Place" at the 2016 Indian Sanitation Conference.

Additional Information

• "Rani-ki-Vav" was initially built as a memorial to a king in the 11th century AD. Its construction is attributed to Udayamati, daughter of Khengara of Saurashtra, queen, and spouse of the 11th-century Chaulukya king Bhima I.
  • It has spiritual significance and represents the sanctity of water. The sculptures in stepwell depict numerous Hindu deities including Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, goddesses (Devi), Ganesha, Kubera, Lakulisha, Bhairava, Surya, Indra, and Hayagriva.

The correct answer is (A)-(4), (B)-(3), (C)-(1), (D)-(2).

Key Points

• Onam:
  • It is a harvest festival of Kerala.
  • It is celebrated to commemorate the arrival of King Mahabali.
  • The festival lasts for ten days.
  • It is also a harvest festival and falls on the 22nd Nakshatra Thiruvonam in the Malayalam calendar month of Chingam, which in the Gregorian calendar overlaps with August–September.
• Hornbill:
  • ​Hornbill festival is the premier festival of Nagaland held every year in the first week of December.
  • The festival is named after the hornbill, the globally respected bird and which is displayed in folklore in most of the state’s tribes.
  • This festival usually takes place in Kohima.
  • The Festival's highlights include the Traditional Naga Morungs Exhibition and sale of Arts and crafts, flower shows, cultural medley etc.
• Losar:
  • ​Losar is a festival in Tibetan Buddhism.
  • The holiday is celebrated on various dates depending on location (Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, India) tradition.
  • It marks the Tibetan New year that resonated with the large Tibetan and Buddhist communities that inhabit the region.
  • In India, it is celebrated in places like Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh.
• Ugadi:
  • ​Ugadi also referred to as Yugadi is a major festival that is celebrated in the southern states of Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
  • As per the Hindu calendar, it is celebrated as the beginning of a new year.
  • Famous festivals of Karnataka are Kanakadasa Jayanti and Karaga.

The correct answer is Ladakh.

Key Points

• Hemish festival is celebrated in Ladakh.
• Hemish Festival:
  • It is celebrated every year on the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. 
  • The Dance Festival is world-famous representing the reincarnation of Buddha.
  • The most attractive part of the festival is the mystic mask dance.
  • The mask dances of Ladakh are referred to as Chams dance.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Tamil Nadu.

In News

• Karuppur Kalamkari Paintings and Kallakurichi Wood Carvings from Tamil Nadu get the GI tags. Hence, option 2 is correct.

Key Points

• Kallakuruchi wood carvings are done using pens, palm stems, date trees, brushes made of bamboo sticks and coconut tree stems.
• This certificate was issued by the Geographical Indications Registry on the basis of an application filed by Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation (Poompuhar).
• These carvings are done for designs and ornaments. These are indigenous to the Madurai region.

The correct answer is All of the above.

Key Points

• Papier Mache is a peculiar craft practiced in Madhya Pradesh since very ancient times.
  • In Madhya Pradesh, the main center for papier mache is Ujjain, but it is also practiced in Gwalior, Bhopal, and Ratlam. 
• Stone carving is one of the oldest forms of art and crafts of Madhya Pradesh.  
  • Every region of this state has got a unique and distinct style.
  • Lattice (Jaal) work is the specialty of Gwalior whereas, Tikamgarh and Jabalpur specialize in decorative pieces of work like animals and human statues. 
• Bamboo and cane artwork is a significant part of the rural life of Madhya Pradesh, is hugely used to manufacture utility articles.
  • The tribal communities of Baiga, Gond, and Korku are involved in this craft as well.
  • The skilled craftsmen of the areas like Balaghat, Bastar, Chhattisgarh, Mandla, Shahdol, and Seoni were involved in this artwork.
• Carpet weaving is practiced in Gwalior since the Mughal era.
  • Mandla and Shahdol district is also known for this craft later.
  • Apart from being masters of carpet weaving, the craftspeople of these areas excel in dyeing.