Chithirai festival at Madurai Meenakshi temple

News:Chithirai festival at the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai has cancelled most of its rituals and ceremonies.But the celestial wedding will be performed in a simple way in the first corridor of the sanctum sanctorum by four priests. Facts: Chithirai Festival:It is an annual festival celebrated at Meenakshi Temple in Madurai,Tamil Nadu. The festival lasts for… Continue reading Chithirai festival at Madurai Meenakshi temple

Prime minister to address Buddha Purnima celebrations

News:Indian Prime Minister will participate in the Buddha Purnima celebrations. Facts: Buddha Purnima also known as Vesak Purnima is the birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. The day commemorates birth, enlightenment and Death (or Parinirvana) of Lord Buddha, all of which is said to have taken place on the same day. The… Continue reading Prime minister to address Buddha Purnima celebrations

New specified health warnings on tobacco product packs

News: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare amended Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labelling) Rules, 2008. Facts: New sets of specified health warnings for all tobacco product packs has been notified by the amendment. All tobacco products manufactured or imported or packaged on or after September 1, shall display the first images… Continue reading New specified health warnings on tobacco product packs

Puri Jagannath temple panel for construction of chariots

News:The Managing Committee of Shree Jagannath Temple has re­commended construction of chariots used in the annual rath yatra.However,uncertainty continued to prevail over holding the festival due to Coronavirus pandemic. Facts: The Jagannath Rath Yatra festival is popularly known as the ‘Festival of Chariots’. The festival is dedicated to Lord Jagannath,his sister Goddess Subhadra and elder… Continue reading Puri Jagannath temple panel for construction of chariots

Jharkhand’s chhau dancers and artisans take a battle stance against COVID-19

News:In Jharkhand, Chhau Dancers are making traditional masks to fight against COVID-19 instead of celebrating chhau Dance. Facts: Chhau dance is a tradition from eastern India that enacts episodes from epics including the Mahabharata and Ramayana, local folklore and abstract themes.  Its three distinct styles hail from the regions of Seraikella (Jharkhand), Purulia (West Bengal)… Continue reading Jharkhand’s chhau dancers and artisans take a battle stance against COVID-19

Raja Ravi Varma, the painter who helped Indians bring their gods home

News: 29th April is the birth anniversary of the famed Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma(1848-1906). Facts: Raja Ravi Varma was born in Travancore (Kerala).He was patronised by Ayilyam Thirunal, the then ruler of Travancore. Contributions: He is remembered for giving Indians their western, classical representations of Hindu gods and goddesses. He gave birth to affordable… Continue reading Raja Ravi Varma, the painter who helped Indians bring their gods home

Chakma and Hajong Communities

News:The Rights and Risks Analysis Group has sought Indian Prime Minister’s intervention in ensuring food for the Chakma and Hajong communities in Arunachal Pradesh. Facts: Chakmas are predominantly Buddhists while Hajongs are Hindus.They were originally the residents of the Chittagong Hill Tracts of East Pakistan(Bangladesh). However, they had to flee to India when their land… Continue reading Chakma and Hajong Communities

World Malaria Day 2020

News:The World Malaria Day is observed on April 25 every year by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Facts: Background: It was established in 2007 at the 60th session of the World Health Assembly 2020 Theme: “Zero malaria starts with me”. Additional Facts: Malaria: It is a disease caused by Plasmodium parasites that are transmitted to… Continue reading World Malaria Day 2020

Basava Jayanthi

News:The Prime minister has greeted the people on the occasion of Basava Jayanthi,the Birth anniversary of Lord Basaveshwara. Facts: Basavanna was a 12th-century philosopher, founding saint of the Lingayat sect, Kannada poet and social reformer during the reign of the Kalachuri-dynasty king Bijjala I in Karnataka. Contributions: He rejected gender or social discrimination, superstitions and… Continue reading Basava Jayanthi

Ambubachi Mela

News:The Annual Ambubachi Mela in Assam will not be organised this year due to Coronavirus pandemic. Facts: Ambubachi Mela is held at the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam. The festival is celebrated to mark the annual menstruation of the presiding Goddess Kamakhya. Significance:The ritualistic fair celebrating the goddess period is one of the reasons why… Continue reading Ambubachi Mela

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