Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Mahabodhi Temple, Gaya
Why in the News?
Since February 2025, Buddhists across India have been protesting, demanding the repeal of the Bodh Gaya Temple Act (BTA), 1949.
Controversy surrounding the Bodh Gaya Temple Act (BTA), 1949:
- The BTA was enacted after disputes between the Hindu and Buddhist communities regarding control of the temple.
- Prior to this, the temple was under Hindu control, especially after the Mughal Empire in 1590 and following the Pala decline.
- The BTA created an 8-member management committee for the temple with equal representation from Hindus and Buddhists.
- However, the District Magistrate (usually from the Hindu community) was the ex-officio chairperson, giving Hindus a majority.
- This has been a point of contention for the Buddhist community, leading to calls for reform.
- The Supreme Court petition filed by monks in 2012 is yet to be heard, further fuelling their cause.
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About the Mahabodhi Temple:
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Details |
| About |
- Bodh Gaya, Bihar, 96 km from Patna, 15 km from Gaya
- The temple marks the spot where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree in 531 BCE.
- Designated in 2002 for its religious, historical, and architectural importance.
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| Architectural Features |
- Early example of brick architecture.
- Features two large shikhara towers, tallest being 55 meters high.
- Houses Vajrasana (Seat of Enlightenment).
- Sculptural reliefs depicting scenes from Buddha’s life.
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| Sacred Sites within the Temple Complex |
- Bodhi Tree (descendant of original tree planted by Buddha)
- Animeshlochan Chaitya (Second Week of Buddha’s meditation)
- Ratnachakrama (Third Week of Buddha’s meditation)
- Ratnaghar Chaitya (Fourth Week)
- Ajapala Nigrodh Tree (Fifth Week)
- Lotus Pond (Sixth Week)
- Rajyatana Tree (Seventh Week)
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| Historical Timeline |
- First temple built by Emperor Ashoka in 3rd century BCE.
- Current structure from 6th century CE with restorations during Pala period.
- Hiuen Tsang visited in 629 AD.
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| Key Features and Preservation |
- Built with brick and stucco.
- Large Buddha statue in meditative posture.
- Stone railings relocated to nearby museum.
- Actively preserved and restored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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| [UPSC 2023] In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located?
(a) Andhra (b) Gandhara (c) Kalinga (d) Magadha |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Parker Solar Probe
Why in the News?
The Parker Solar Probe made history on December 24, 2024, by coming within 6.1 million kilometers of the Sun’s surface, marking the closest approach ever by a spacecraft.
About Parker Solar Probe
- The Parker Solar Probe, launched in August 2018, is a car-sized robotic spacecraft named after Eugene Newman Parker, an American solar astrophysicist.
- It is the first NASA mission named after a living researcher, and its mission is humanity’s first to explore within 3.8 million miles of the Sun’s corona.
- The spacecraft is equipped with an advanced carbon-composite heat shield capable of withstanding temperatures up to 1,370°C.
- This shield, which weighs only 73 kg, is designed to protect the probe from the Sun’s intense heat.
- The probe’s instruments remain at a manageable 29°C due to the shield’s protection.
- The primary goals are:
- Approach the Sun: The probe aims to get as close as 6.5 million kilometers to study the Sun’s energy flow, solar corona heating, and the sources of solar wind.
- Explore Solar Wind: Investigate the origins and behaviour of solar wind, the high-speed streams of charged particles that impact space weather.
- Study Solar Corona: Delve into the mystery of why the Sun’s corona is 200 times hotter than its surface.
- Investigate Plasma and Magnetic Fields: Study the structure and dynamics of plasma and magnetic fields at the sources of solar wind.
- The Parker Solar Probe is equipped with four primary instruments:
- FIELDS: Measures the electric and magnetic fields of the Sun’s atmosphere.
- ISoIS: Observes energetic particles that lead to solar storms.
- SWEAP: Records the properties of solar wind particles.
- WISPR: Takes images of the solar corona.
- Faraday Cup: Measures ion and electron density in the solar wind.
Impact of the Mission on Solar Science
- Understanding Solar Wind: The mission provides crucial data on the origins and behavior of solar wind, enhancing predictions of space weather and its impact on Earth.
- Solving the Solar Corona Mystery: The probe’s findings suggest that Alfvén waves, plasma oscillations, may be the key mechanism responsible for the heating of the Sun’s corona, addressing a long-standing puzzle in solar physics.
- New Discoveries on Space Dust: The probe’s discovery of dust-free pockets near the Sun challenges previous assumptions about the interaction of space dust with solar energy, offering new insights into solar dynamics.
- Space Weather and Solar Flares: By monitoring the Sun’s activity, the probe aids in understanding solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), helping to mitigate the effects of space weather on Earth’s satellites and infrastructure.
- Advancement in Solar Exploration Technology: The mission’s success in utilizing advanced heat shields and high-speed space travel techniques paves the way for future solar missions and deeper exploration of stellar physics.
| [UPSC 2022] If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth?
1. GPS and navigation systems could fail.
2. Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions.
3. Power grids could be damaged.
4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth.
5. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet.
6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed.
7. Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
(b) 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 only
(c) 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Sarhul Festival
Why in the News?
On April 1, 2025, tribals in Jharkhand and the larger Chhotanagpur region will celebrate Sarhul, marking both the New Year and the arrival of spring.
About Sarhul Festival
- Sarhul is a significant Adivasi festival celebrated in Jharkhand and the Chhotanagpur region, covering parts of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Bihar.
- It is celebrated in the Hindu month of Chaitra, typically three days after the appearance of the new moon.
- It marks the new year and celebrates the arrival of spring.
- It is celebrated by various tribes, including Oraon, Munda, Santal, Khadia, and Ho, each with its own unique customs.
- The Sal tree (Shorea robusta) is venerated as the abode of Sarna Maa, the deity who protects the village from natural calamities and misfortunes.
- The festival symbolizes the union of the Sun and Earth.
- The pahan (male priest) represents the Sun, while his wife, the pahen, symbolizes the Earth. This union is essential for sustaining life, emphasizing the connection between sunlight and soil.
- It also marks the renewal of life.
- After the rituals, Adivasis begin ploughing their fields, sowing crops, or gathering produce from the forest.
Cultural Significance of Sarhul
- Sarhul evolved from a hunting festival to one that celebrates agriculture, reflecting the changing lifestyle of the Adivasi communities.
- Sarhul is a cultural movement to preserve Adivasi heritage amidst urbanization and modernization, helping reinforce tribal identity.
- Over time, Sarhul has become a platform for Adivasi political assertion, with some groups using the festival to demand the recognition of Sarna religion and its inclusion in India’s caste census.
- Sarhul has also become a means for advocating tribal rights and social justice, particularly through the leadership of Baba Karthik Oraon.
| [UPSC 2018] Consider the following pairs: Tradition State
1. Chapchar Kut festival — Mizoram
2. Khongjom Parba ballad — Manipur
3. Thong-To dance — Sikkim
Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 (c) 3 only (d) 2 and 3 |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Fungi
Why in the News?
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List now includes 1,300 fungi species, of which 1000 species are at risk of extinction due to various environmental pressures.
Important Species under Threat:
- Fibrous Waxcap (Hygrocybe intermedia): A Vulnerable species of fungi found in Europe, facing threats from habitat loss and land-use changes.
- 279 Species at Risk: Threatened by deforestation, agricultural expansion, and urban development, leading to habitat loss.
- 91 Species Threatened by Pollution: Nitrogen and ammonia runoff from fertilizers and industrial activities.
- 50+ Species at Risk Due to Fire Patterns: Changes in fire cycles, especially in USA, making certain fungi species vulnerable in forest ecosystems.
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About Fungi:
- Fungi belong to the kingdom Fungi, distinct from animals, plants, and bacteria. They are eukaryotic organisms and include moulds, yeasts, mushrooms, and mildews.
- Key Properties:
- Fungi have chitin in their cell walls and form hyphae that create a mycelium network.
- They are heterotrophic, absorbing nutrients from organic material.
- They reproduce sexually and asexually through spores.
- Types of Fungi:
- Molds: Multicellular, fuzzy fungi.
- Yeasts: Unicellular fungi used in fermentation.
- Mushrooms: Fruiting bodies of certain fungi, often edible.
- Ecological Role: Fungi are crucial in decomposition and nutrient cycling. Some form beneficial relationships with plants (mycorrhizae) to aid in nutrient absorption.
- Uses:
- Medicines: Fungi like penicillin have revolutionized medicine.
- Food: Edible fungi include mushrooms and truffles.
- Beverages: Yeasts are key in bread, beer, and wine production.
| [UPSC 2021] Which of the following have species that can establish symbiotic relationship with other organisms?
1. Cnidarians
2. Fungi
3. Protozoa
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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