Veerashaiva-Lingayats
Syllabus: GS1/ History and Culture
Context
- Veerashaiva-Lingayats are set to seek a separate religion code for the community in the national census that will commence in 2026.
About
- Lingayats had been classified as a Hindu subcaste called “Veerashaiva Lingayats” and they are considered to be Shaivites.
- The Veerashaiva-Lingayats are the dominant land-owning community in north and central Karnataka.
- They are also spread in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
- Origin: The Lingayats are followers of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna, who was inspired by the Bhakti Movement.
- A treasurer in the court of King Bijjala II, Basavanna rejected Brahmin rituals and temple worship and envisaged a society that was casteless, and free of discrimination.
- Spiritual Identity: The term Lingayat comes from the practice of wearing an iṣṭaliṅga, an oval-shaped emblem symbolic of Parashiva (Absolute Reality).
Source: TH
Adi Shankaracharya
Syllabus :GS 1/History
In News
- Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti was celebrated recently.
Adi Shankaracharya
- He was a brilliant philosopher, visionary, and spiritual teacher.
- The historical data states that Shankara was born in 788 A.D. in Kalady, Kerala to the couple Shivaguru and Aryamba, who were great devotees of Lord Shiva.
- He was recognized for his exceptional intellect from a young age, he composed Balabodha Sangraha at six and Kanakadhara Stotra after a touching incident involving a poor woman’s generosity.
- He met Govindapadacharya on the banks of the Narmada and became his disciple after reciting the Dashashloki.
- In three years, he mastered scriptures and was tasked with writing commentaries.
- By twelve, Shankara was already a leading exponent of Advaita Vedanta and began writing on the Prasthana Traya—Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Brahmasutras.
Contributions
- He established four mathas (monastic centers) across India and mentored four key disciples—Padmapada, Sureshvara, Totaka, and Hastamalaka.
- His major works include Vivekachudamani, Upadesha Sahasri, Bhaja Govindam, Soundaryalahari, and over 100 compositions combining profound philosophy with devotional depth.
- He is renowned for his profound commentaries on ancient texts, including the Brahma Sutra.
- He also wrote commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita and the ten principal Upanishads.
Legacy
- He passed away at 32, having unified and revitalized Hindu thought and propagated Advaita Vedanta as a path to spiritual liberation.
- According to Advaita Philosophy Essence
- Brahman (the ultimate reality) is real, the world is unreal, and the individual self is not different from Brahman.
- According to Advaita Philosophy Essence
- He entrusted his disciples to continue his mission and is believed to have attained liberation in the Himalayas.
Source :TOI
Vikramaditya I Dated Inscription Found in Davangere
Syllabus :GS 1/History
Context
- A rare inscription dating back to the 7th century AD, during the reign of Vikramaditya I of the Badami Chalukya dynasty, has been discovered at Madapura Lake in Karnataka.
Vikramaditya I (644–681 CE)
- He revived Chalukya power after a period of decline following Pulakesin II’s death.
- He avenged his father’s defeat by the Pallavas by capturing Kanchipuram and defeating Pallava king Mahendravarman II in 668 CE.
- His military campaigns also subdued other southern dynasties, including the Cholas, Pandyas, and Keralas. However, his advances were eventually checked when he was defeated by Pallava king Parameshvaravarman I at the Battle of Peruvalanallur in 674 CE.
Latest Developments
- The recently discovered inscription is written in Old Kannada script and measures five feet in length and contains 17 lines.
- It describes an act by Vikramaditya I’s officer, Singhavenna, who waived taxes for local villagers and donated six acres of land to the kings who built the lake.
- The inscription also reveals that Ballavi, a significant administrative unit of 70 villages, had organized governance.
- Additionally, the stone slab features a 17th-century relief sculpture, indicating the site’s continued cultural importance.
| Chalukyas of Badami – They succeeded the Vakatakas in the western Deccan and ruled from their capital at Vatapi (modern Badami, Karnataka) between 543 and 753 CE, uniting much of South India. 1. Pulakesin I (543–566 CE), son of Ranaraga and grandson of Jayasimha, was the true founder of the Chalukyan kingdom. (a). He established his capital at Vatapi (modern Badami) by building a strong fortress and declared independence through a horse sacrifice. (b). He assumed the titles Satyasraya (asylum of truth) and Ranavikrama (valorous in war). 2. Pulakesin II (609–642 CE) was the greatest ruler of the Chalukyas of Badami and transformed them from a regional power into a dominant force across the Deccan. His reign marked a turning point in southern Indian history. (a). His Aihole inscription by Ravikiriti details victories over Kadambas, Alupas, Gangas, Mauryas of Konkan, Latas, Malwas, Gurjaras, Kosala, Vishnukundins, Kalinga, Pistapura, and Banas. (a.1). He defeated Harshavardhana on the banks of the Narmada in 630 CE, which became the boundary between the two empires. (a.2). His empire included present-day Maharashtra, Gujarat, coastal Andhra, and Karnataka. (b). Pulakesin II defeated Mahendravarman I of the Pallavas, but later Narasimhavarman I avenged the defeat, killed Pulakesin II, and captured Badami. |
Source :HT
Lakkundi Temples
Syllabus: GS1/ Art & Culture
In News
- Lakkundi temples are set to be finalised for UNESCO tentative listing as World Heritage Sites.
About Lakkundi Temples
- Lakkundi (ancient Lokkigundi) is a village in Gadag district of Karnataka, renowned for its cluster of medieval temples. Lakkundi is a significant Jain religious center as well.
- The Lakkundi were patronized by Chalukya rulers, notably Tailapa II and Satyashraya. It subsequently came under the control of the Kalachuris, Yadavas, and the Hoysalas, with Ballala II declaring it the capital in 1192 CE. Its importance declined following the invasions of the Delhi Sultanate in the 14th century.
- Lakkundi is a key center of the Kalyana Chalukya or Western Chalukya school of architecture which is often described as a transitional Vesara style – blending Northern and Southern Indian temple forms.
- Temples have Jagati (platforms), Mandapas, Garbhagrihas, and Shikharas.
Source: TH
Vizhinjam International Seaport
Syllabus: GS3/ Infrastructure
Context
- PM Modi commissioned the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala, which was completed at an estimated cost of ₹8,867 crore.
About
- The Seaport was developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, between the Kerala government and Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd (APSEZ).
- Vizhinjam is India’s first dedicated transshipment port and also the country’s first semi-automated port.
- It features fully automated yard cranes and remotely operated ship-to-shore cranes for efficient cargo handling.
- The port is equipped with India’s first home-built, AI-powered Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS).
- It is also being developed as a multi-modal hub, with direct road access to National Highway 66 and Kerala’s first cloverleaf interchange to handle future cargo growth.
- Strategic Location: Situated just 10 nautical miles from a key international shipping route, the port offers minimal deviation for transshipment, making it a strategic hub for global maritime trade.
Source: TH
National Security Advisory Board (NSAB)
Syllabus: GS3/ Internal Security
Context
- The government has reconstituted the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) and appointed former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Alok Joshi as its new chairman.
National Security Advisory Board
- The NSAB was constituted in 1998, as an advisory body of eminent persons outside the government to render advice on national security issues.
- Structure: It is headed by a Chairperson and composed of eminent persons from diverse fields.
- It draws people of diverse domains including industry, media and civil society, among others.
- Key Functions:
- It advises the National Security Council (NSC) on policy matters related to national security.
- Suggests measures and policy options on internal and external security, strategic and technological challenges.
Source: TH
Dhruv Helicopter
Syllabus :GS 3/Defence
In News
- The Army and Air Force versions of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv have been cleared for operations following recommendations from a Defect Investigation Committee.
Background
- The armed forces had temporarily grounded all their 330 ALHs following the January 2025 crash of an ALH Mark-III of the Indian Coast Guard in Porbandar, Gujarat during a training sortie that killed all three crew members aboard the helicopter.
- Also, Dhruv was missing in action at the Aero India, 2025.
Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv
- It is a multi-role helicopter developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for transport, utility, reconnaissance, and casualty evacuation roles.
- It features a four-blade hingeless main rotor with composite blades that are ballistic-tolerant up to 12.7mm, and a four-axis automatic flight control system.
- Its airframe uses advanced composites for reduced weight and enhanced crash survivability, including crumple zones and energy-absorbing seats.
Source :TH
Jalaj Initiative
Syllabus: GS3/ Environment Conservation
Context
- The Union Minister of Jal Shakti recently chaired a review meeting to assess the progress of the Jalaj initiative.
About the Jalaj initiative
- Launched by: National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
- Jalaj centers: The initiative aims at establishing 75 Jalaj centers across the Ganga basin, with various models such as Dolphin Safaris, Homestays, Livelihood Centers, and Awareness & Sale Points etc.
- Complementary Programs: It will complement and support the existing programme of the Centre under the NMCG’s ‘Arth Ganga’ concept of sustainable economic development of the river Ganga Basin with people participation.
Source: PIB
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