UNESCO Grants Intangible Heritage Status to 'Lathmar Holi' of Barsana
UNESCO has officially included the 'Lathmar Holi' of Barsana and Nandgaon in its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
2-Minute Summary (TL;DR)
- Lathmar Holi is celebrated in Barsana and Nandgaon, Uttar Pradesh.
- It is based on the legends of Radha and Krishna.
- UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list aims to protect non-physical cultural elements.
- India now has over 15 elements on this prestigious UNESCO list.
How This Topic is Tested in Competitive Exams
| Exam | Frequency | Approx. Marks | What Gets Asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC / State PCS | High | 10–20 | Ancient, medieval, and modern history form a full section in UPSC Prelims and GS-I Mains. |
| SSC (CGL / CHSL / MTS) | Medium | 3–5 | Modern Indian history, freedom struggle, and cultural heritage appear in SSC CGL. |
| State PCS / PSC | High | 5–10 | Regional history is specifically tested in state exams — Maratha history in Maharashtra, etc. |
What to Memorize from This Topic
- Anniversaries: birth/death anniversaries of important historical figures in the news
- Cultural events and their historical significance
- Archaeological discoveries: site, period, excavating body
- UNESCO World Heritage additions: site name, location, significance
- Art and literature awards linked to historical works
Practice Questions
Q1. Lathmar Holi, recently in the news, is primarily celebrated in which state?
- Rajasthan
- Madhya Pradesh
- Uttar Pradesh
- Haryana
Explanation: Lathmar Holi is a famous tradition of Barsana and Nandgaon in Uttar Pradesh.
Q2. Which international organization maintains the 'Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity'?
- UNICEF
- UNESCO
- World Bank
- UNDP
Explanation: UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) maintains this list.
How to Prepare History & Culture for Government Exams
When a historical figure is in the news, revise 5 key facts about their contribution — this is typically what the exam asks.
For SSC and Railway, focus on dates and names. For UPSC, understand the social, economic, and political context.
Maintain a 'This Week in History' note — anniversaries and commemorations generate predictable exam questions.
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