QUIZ – 2020: INSIGHTS STATIC , 2 June 2021 – Art and Culture

Solution: a)

What is Sankardeva’s philosophy?

• Sankardeva propagated a form of Bhakti called eka-sharana-naam-dhrama, and espoused a society based on equality and fraternity, free from caste differences, orthodox Brahmanical rituals and sacrifices.
• His teaching focused on prayer and chanting (naam) instead of idol worship. His dharma was based on the four components of deva (god), naam (prayers), bhakats (devotees), and guru (teacher).

Solution: b)

• ‘Attukal Pongala’ is one of the largest religious congregations of women.
• It is celebrated celebrated at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
• Preparing ‘pongala’ (a sweet offering) is considered an aus picious all-women ritual as part of the annual festival of the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, which is popularly known as the “Women’s Sabarimala”.
• The Pongala festival commemorates the hospitality accorded by women in the locality to Kannagi, the heroine of the Tamil epic Silappadhikaram while she was on her way to Kodungallur in Kerala, after destroying Madurai city to avenge the injustice to her husband Kovalan.
• Attukal Temple is called the “Women’s Sabarimala” as only women perform rituals, just as predominantly men undertake the pilgrimage to the shrine of Lord Ayyappa.

Solution: c)

Kalibangan has given the evidence of the earliest (2800 BC) ploughed agricultural field ever revealed through an excavation as per Dr. B Lal. It is also a site which has given an evidence of earliest recorded “Earthquake”.

Solution: a)

Aihole was the first capital of Chalukyas where they built numerous temples dating back to the 6th century CE.

Many inscriptions found at Aihole, but the inscription which found at Meguti Temple popularly known as Aihole inscription, which has the significance in the history of India, witnessed for the many historical events of Chalukyas.

The Aihole inscription issued by Pulakeshin II gives the details of his reign.

Solution: d)

• Ashoka was the first ruler who inscribed his messages to his subjects and officials on stone surfaces – natural rocks as well as polished pillars. He used the inscriptions to proclaim what he understood to be dhamma. This included respect towards elders, generosity towards Brahmanas and those who renounced worldly life, treating slaves and servants kindly, and respect for religions and traditions other than one’s own.