> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.upscprep.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Previse 2025: Heritage and Culture - URL: https://www.upscprep.com/heritage-sites-art-forms-upsc-prelims-current-affairs/ - Published: 2024-04-19T12:12:50.000Z - Updated: 2025-05-01T06:08:42.000Z - Description: GS1 | Indian Heritage, Culture and Architecture - Author: UPSCprep.com - Tags: UPSC Prelims, Current Affairs, Previse 2025, #show-toc Culture and heritage are not just static concepts from dusty textbooks! They are vibrant, living entities that constantly evolve and shape our nation's identity. As a UPSC aspirant, staying informed about current affairs related to heritage sites and art forms is crucial. Understanding these developments demonstrates your well-rounded knowledge and ability to connect the dots between the past, present, and future. ### Konark Sun Temple ![Konark Sun Temple | UPSC](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/svFZlKYjBpf_myprTI-0N61rC5EtXUa5-wsNlGoikzb372Z88preE3gGYnyhgs3dzFC30Z_aF4uQJo2d8-yxc7iPRz9lIJXuLT2OqusvkOOMc_j5E-hAb9MIcx9k1jJseiyKVw3c0p7t7AjsWqFUUiM) ![Konark Sun Temple in Odisha | UPSC](https://www.tripsavvy.com/thmb/HuuOUB-px3GOHeZACzLVXmLa-RA=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-521720746-988256f732e64eed8d03788cd3cb2cce.jpg) ![Konark Sun Temple in Odisha | UPSC | Architecture](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/04/main-qimg-5d39324bee742dacd5c6464ca778c88b-lq-1.jpeg) **WHY IMPORTANT ?** The mural of the Konark Sun Temple was showcased at the G20 Summit. - It is also known as Black Pagoda, Arka Kshetra and Padma Kshetra. - It was built by Eastern Ganga King Narasimhadeva-I during the 13th century . - There are many other sun temples like Katarmal in Uttarakhand, Surya pahar in Assam, Martand in J&K, Dakshinaaka in Bihar, Arasavalli in Andhra Pradesh, Suryanar Kovil in TN, Modera in Gujarat and Brahmanya MP. - It is based on **Kalinga Architecture**. --- ### Sharda Devi Temple ![Sharda Devi Temple](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/Aieynb8is9KQN-CJSIrr6UD6W99RypKBQX1YrLa8zPQW8-q-l9rzTquHoOARPA_VB2eEiu-rVK2x60QbBwO8xnyghYZJjlUCbpfhii3Pw-YUvB1ZOoEgmdeBX6XXBZ9lC2mC0viv6jzGft_teytnsB8) ![Sharda Devi Temple](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/bf19EKXeUQEwM75e4Ej1stdg3Y7PG5h2-gxRBDxZDOeTiv99ABtz0jUWqLFlFFNvh2WlCtCs-DZF4qB86A_lfOxhF2b8L1KPPzaKffnDy8H72I_bcnTHj2U1ZinHwA8r4fySzqoDMirgifKW0wDofmI) **WHY IMPORTANT ?** Puja was held at the new Sharda Devi Temple in Kupwara district. - Al Beruni described it as a very important site of the region. - It is part of 18 Maha Shakti Peethas and is the abode of Hindu Goddess Saraswati. - Goddess Sharada is kuldevi of Kashmiri Pandits and is referred as Kashmira Puravasini. - It has educational significance as scholars like Adi Shankaracharya and Ramanujacharya studied at Sharda University. --- ### Santiniketan ![Santiniketan | UNESCO | UPSC](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/CTSGXnIrr1paTSArG_j-8-QRvs56W9-OdNtQQWoqpxREMg26WCU-2CJLLCUUk9TMY7HqOBvG906hrXfVr9ggxLMxIflRgbO4VbqF_42_t5HawLrb_pgaVtTK5a2iOG90WyuyHI1pOK88RfKRV6x45c0) ![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/vHpt_JzRSObkTpfAUu0zY2U_SpYVvkHdWj86gJ57CY6JfC7Oo7S7JUJZsuYLt97Nj7G6JvUvJ0fOHMDnQAE0TkJ0A8dMorQT4KJqgJw9_kB67FGgQURKCdhdWliKdAA3_FLX45T2L_X6cPm7QcST3qM) ![Santiniketan inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List | UPSC](https://englishtribuneimages.blob.core.windows.net/gallary-content/2023/9/2023_9$largeimg_2095746271.jpg) **WHY IMPORTANT ?** Santiniketan became the **41st UNESCO World Heritage Site** of India. - Santiniketan is the third heritage site of West Bengal after the Darjeeling toy train and Sundarbans National Park. - It was recommended by the International Council on Monuments and Sites. - It is an amalgamation of India’s ancient, medieval and folk traditions as well as Chinese, Persian, Balinese, Japanese, Burmese and Art Deco forms. --- **We can't clear UPSC for you.** But with our ***personalised mentor support***, you'll be ready to do it yourself. [Join Now](https://courses.upscprep.com/products?ref=upscprep.com) --- ### Sengol ![Tamil Nadu's 'Sengol' To Be Placed In New Parliament | From Nehru To PM Modi | Sengol | UPSC](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/04/sengol-1684913316.jpg) ![From Nehru To PM Modi | Sengol | UPSC](https://images.news18.com/ibnlive/uploads/2023/05/s2-3.jpg) ![From Nehru To PM Modi | Sengol | UPSC | five-feet long sceptre](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FxBk_GWaEAEuDba.jpg:large) **WHY IMPORTANT ?** The Sengol or scepter from the Chola Empire was presented by head of Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam and was placed in the new Parliament building. - The 'Sengol' was received as a symbol of the transfer of power on August 14, 1947 by the then PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. - The word is derived from 'semmai', which means 'righteousness'. - The hand-engraved Nandi atop is the observer of 'justice'. - Sengol was deemed to be a symbol of duty, service and path of the nation in the Chola Empire. --- ### Sacred Ensembles of Hoysalas ![Karnataka's sacred ensembles of Hoysalas inscribed on UNESCO world heritage list | UPSC](https://images.indianexpress.com/2023/09/1-151.jpg) ![Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala' in Karnataka inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List | UPSC](https://cdn.telanganatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hoysala-temples.jpeg) ![The Sacred Ensembles of Hoysalas are India's 42nd UNESCO World Heritage Site | UPSC](https://assets.cntraveller.in/photos/650c1f1932e526278a0fdce2/master/pass/GettyImages-1410729674.jpg) **WHY IMPORTANT ?** Sacred Ensembles of Hoysalas in Karnataka were declared as **42nd UNESCO World Heritage site**. - The ensembles include Hoysaleshwara temple in **Halebidu**, Chennakeshava temple in Belur and Keshava temple in Somnathpur. - It is the 4th World Heritage site of Karnataka which also includes Hampi, Pattadakal and Western Ghat. - **Chennakeshava Temple** is also called Vijayanarayana Temple, which was commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana on the banks of the Yagachi River. - Hoysaleshwara Temple is also called Halebid Temple, which was commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana on the banks of Dwarasamudra lake. - **Keshava Temple** was commissioned during Narasimha III reign and is located on the banks of Kaveri. --- ### Trimbakeshwar Temple ![Sri Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, Nasik | UPSC](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/itPwKyI7biHHZ-U-GbPkCBEShvMuKlK6XZ5XIZpec22L0WFq1NWXq4CqEb2SqEbIxyYax0Wu5j-fCEzse2SwkLvWFsJ4jvL4XaZ9gQMTgtRPlmvRDUUrcpRmKRktQ1EOIHL1NRYUZLvhQWMVDkzUky4) ![Sri Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, Nasik | UPSC](https://www.ahospitalityclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Nashik-Trimbakeshwar-Temple-1x1-1.jpg) ![Sri Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, Nasik | UPSC](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/qeaDj0whVcmWEBYBXAFpJvowTUrN-vRyZuzfagiGUOzPtO61kWMksAsB7YSrbH_XHacLhfcn7FD98BO6tijUBl6sfv4ERX-ySDpGQBd2muVT_Z44UOFAVy2pcO-17dlnsJ0xsKA1ktcq6TF2XU8DEl8) **WHY IMPORTANT ?** Trimbakeshwar temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. - It is located in Brahmagiri mountain and is the source of Godavari River. - "Trimbak" means trinity of gods and the temple was constructed by third Peshwa Balaji Bajirao - It is built in Nagara Style out of black stone. --- ### Jageshwar Temple ![Jageshwar Dham in Uttarakhand: An ancient land of temples and gods | UPSC](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/X7EyoV_TPF2ow3QF0t-WU_yXVxTYXg2-N9BrzBtPL9lwdFglURbjWFaaN2JVxtgxhybL7lHa8o0De17bBGYiqlKkOMDAh7GaEbE6Y7whsUSyzL31NIBmVF59sK6eXDwW26QQMkxVB4OqeTGnLadygAA) ![Jageshwar Dham in Uttarakhand: An ancient land of temples and gods | UPSC](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/Xzd_jFVNV_uU2J83CJcpn1MsruVW0dXatxKkhNJazktBHEnMhhmf48pioB-pwXdYHF6t-MmAWgp5sVtHUM6RYwAfOljNbOQ2J_gWzmdcEOwPwuyV2Nn5h8iZdy_2lspe_eFEUSxZzYkQdaEsWGo5pq0) ![Jageshwar Dham in Uttarakhand: An ancient land of temples and gods | UPSC](https://www.financialexpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/jageshwar660-1.jpg?w=660) **WHY IMPORTANT ?** Jageshwar temple is located near **river Jata Ganga** and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. - The temple belongs to the post-Gupta and pre-medieval era which was built and renovated by the **Katyuri dynasty**. - As per the Skanda Purana and Linga Purana, it was Jageshwar from where the worship of lord Shiva was started. - The area is center of Lakulisha Shaivism, a revivalist sect which worships Lord Shiva. --- ### Tungnath Temple ![Tungnath Temple | UPSC](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/fNVrXUzTRn_fDkzxN1Y67bXsjBamH7tw8LgUT4P43nI5RWr8N6BlTBA7N-cCyUtrWJzkRk5iJp8HPzHvF_XUe8rWA7sufuL3uBQSI6SqY3Kbp_NdsddnYWRSuMQbdPEUr-44BKRuvnJBZB-yLmGa40g) ![Tungnath Temple | UPSC](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/82fTUpxVkYGBaaATgo3IsYbi_cnJB3pGCXXeJiAPaY7zdi3zi6Pq_-e7T2YFXFkUEuD5VcYuDC2uvvGF3RBWjYoRa5z5QKiXogO3yv4z_z1-hJrHWqz08_3pQfUgpOVNDhbEr2VVmjR5MCnSmERDKe0) ![Tungnath Temple | UPSC](https://assets.traveltriangle.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/A-winter-snap-of-the-snowcapped-Himalayas-and-the-Tungnath-Temple-in-Chopta.jpg) **WHY IMPORTANT ?** The 1,000 years old temple is located in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand and legend says that it was founded by Arjuna. - It is the highest Shiva temple in the world, located at an altitude of over 12,000 feet. - It is part of the ‘Panch Kedar’ i.e cluster of Shiva temples including Kedarnath, Madhmaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath and Kalpnath. - Also referred to as Tritiya Kedar, it is located in the Garhwal Himalayas. --- ### Thirunelli Temple ![Thirunelli Temple Festival | Sree Thirunelli Mahavishnu Temple | UPSC](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KPj26XCN3qQ/YBfuvn3djoI/AAAAAAAAbk8/IJWx-vWtgPgapjmQf6b1lULr8E2-mUv-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s600/Thirunelli%2BTemple%2BFestival.jpg) ![Thirunelli Temple Guide | Wayanad | UPSC](https://myoksha.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Thirunelli-Temple.jpg) ![Renovation of Thirunelli temple, Thirunelli temple, Malabar devaswom board | UPSC](https://english.mathrubhumi.com/image/contentid/policy:1.8584229:1684906982/thirunelli%20temple%20(1).jpg?$p=8fba452&f=4x3&w=1080&q=0.8) **WHY IMPORTANT ?** INTACH proposed conservation of the **600-year-old ‘Vilakkumadom’** at the Thirunelli Temple in Kerala. - It is built as per **Kerala architecture** and is situated on the banks of Papanashini in **Brahmagiri hills**. - It is dedicated to the trinity of Vishnu (main deity), Shiva and Brahma. - Vilakkumadom structure is made of exquisite granite and dates back to the 15th century AD. ## Sign up for UPSCprep.com Simplify your UPSC journey Subscribe Email sent! 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