UPSC PRELIMS BITS – Oct. 10, 2022

‘UPSC Prelims Bits” is every day published in the morning between 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and contains selective current affairs articles. ”UPSC Prelims Bits” covers various topics from UPSC Prelims Syllabus and is very helpful and time managing for UPSC Aspirants. The framing of this daily current affairs compilation article is easy to read and understandable also.

In the ”UPSC Prelims Bits” article, we focus on UPSC Preliminary exam-oriented current affairs covering various sections from leading National Newspapers, PIB, and other various official sources.

Modhera Sun Temple

Why in news?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated 3D projection light and sound show at the Surya Mandir in Gujarat’s Modhera village.

Key Points

• The temple at Modhera is the most important of all sun-temples built in the whole of Gujarat.  It enjoys the same significance as other two well known sun-temples in Kashmir (Martand) and Orissa (Konark).
• The remains of this magnificent architectural monument still reflect the glimpses of elegance and testify the sanctity of the site.
• Modhera or Modherapura also known as Mundera is said to have been the original settlement of modha Brahmans.

• Having its legendary past relating to the Ramayana it is further believed that modha Brahmans received Modhera as a krsnarpana on the occasion of the marriage of Rama and Sita.
• Once a flourishing town and seaport, Modhera stands 24 km south of Anahitapataka (Patan) on the left bank of Pushpavati river.
• This famous sun temple was constructed to the west of this river probably in 1026-27 A.D. during the reign of Chalukya King Bhima I (1022-1063 A.D.)

Kojagari Purnima

Why in news?

9th October was Sharad Purnima. It is also known as Kaumudi, or Kojagari Purnima.

Key Points

• Sharad Purnima is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashvin. The full-moon night is celebrated differently in different cultural regions of the country.
• On this auspicious day, many divine pairs like Radha Krishna, Shiva Parvati, and Lakshmi Narayan are worshipped along with the moon and are offered flowers and kheer (a sweet dish made of rice and milk).
• Deities in temples are usually dressed in white, signifying the brightness of the moon.
• Many people observe a full day of fasting on this night.
• This day is particularly significant as on this day, people fast and worship. It is also known as the Arogya Parv or Health Festival.
• The moon of Sharad Purnima is said to bring the blessing of health in its rays.
• On Sharad Purnima, Goddess Lakshmi is also worshipped.  It is also observed as a harvest festival in many states across the country.
• On this festival, kheer, a dish made of rice and milk, is kept in the light of the moon.
• It is said that eating kheer kept under the moon’s rays cures all diseases.

Prabarana Purnima

Why in news?

On October 10, Buddhists celebrated Prabarana Purnima also known as Ashwini Purnima – their second-largest religious festival.

Key Points

• This full moon day signifies the end of the three-month Lent of Bhikkhus.
• To mark the day, Buddhists fly lighted balloons made of thin papers, also called Phanus Baji, in the evening.
• When Buddha renounced the world, he cut his hair and threw it into the air, saying, “If my aim and mission of renunciation are fruitful, this tress of hair will go upwards, and if my object and ambition becomes fruitless, it will fall on the ground.”
• Buddhists believe that the tress of hair went flying into the sky according to the will of Gautama. Launching the sky lanterns is a symbol and commemoration of Gautama’s emphatic prediction.
• Also known as Ashwini Purnima, the festival marks the end of the three-month seclusion of the monks inside their monasteries for self-edification and atonement of their defilement.
• The festival follows the month-long preaching of sermons by the Buddhist monks for the welfare of every being and the whole of humankind.

Milad-Un-Nabi 

Why in news?

This year,  Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi began on the evening of Saturday, October 8 and ended on the evening of Sunday, October 9.

Key Points

• Eid-e-Milad-Un-Nabi is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Muslims worldwide.
• The Shia community believes that on this day, the Prophet had chosen Hazrat Ali as his successor.
• The Sunni community, however, organises prayer meetings throughout the day.
• People also celebrate Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi by taking out large processions and by decorating their homes too.
• It is believed that the Prophet had received the message of the Quran through Allah’s angel Jibril.
• It is also widely believed that the Prophet was born in Mecca on the 12th day of Rabee-ul-Awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar, to Abdullah and Bibi Amina.
• However, some Twelver Shia Muslims believe that he was born on the 17th of Rabi’ al-awwal.
• Significantly, the day is also observed as the death anniversary of the Prophet.

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