Prelims: Indian Culture (Festivals), Paruveta Utsavam, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH)
Mains: General Studies-I, Indian Culture – Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Why in the News ?
Recently, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has been making efforts to obtain UNESCO recognition for the yearly ‘Paruveta Utsavam‘ (mock hunting festival) as an ‘intangible cultural heritage.
Source: TH
About:
- Paruveta Utsavam
- It is an annual mock hunting festival held at the Sri Narasimha Swamy temple in Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh.
- Symbol: During this time, the deity from the inner sanctum of the temple is carried to the 32 Chenchu tribal settlements surrounding Ahobilam for a period of 40 days.
- Belief: According to legend, Lord Vishnu, in his Narasimha form, married Maha Lakshmi, who was born as a tribal girl named Chenchulakshmi in Ahobilam.
- Activities: During the ceremony, tribal members shoot arrows at the deity’s palanquin as a gesture of respect and protection.
- Paruveta Utsavam is celebrated by people of all castes.
- Administrative Body & Tribal link:The 600-year-old Ahobila Mutt, through the ‘Guru Parampara’, oversees the temple.
Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH)
- It is a non-profit charitable organization registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
- Established: It was founded in 1984 in New Delhi.
- Objective: Its goal is to establish a membership organization to promote awareness and lead conservation efforts for heritage in India.
