Indian Festivals and Culture Online Quiz

The Indian national anthem, "Jana Gana Mana," written by Rabindranath Tagore, was first publicly sung on December 27, 1911, at the Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress.

The famous Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival) in Puri, Odisha, is celebrated in honor of Lord Jagannath, a form of Lord Vishnu, along with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra.

Karva Chauth is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated predominantly in northern India, where married women observe a strict fast from sunrise to moonrise to pray for the long life and safety of their husbands.

Naraka Chaturdashi, celebrated on the second day of the Diwali festival, commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna and Goddess Kali over the demon king Narakasura.

Holika Dahan, which symbolizes the victory of good over evil through the burning of the demoness Holika, is observed on the night before the main day of Holi, when people throw colors.

Gudi Padwa is a spring festival that marks the traditional New Year for Marathi and Konkani Hindus, and it is celebrated with great enthusiasm primarily in the state of Maharashtra.

Krishna Janmashtami is a major Hindu festival celebrating the birth (janma) of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu.

Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his victory over Ravana. The citizens of Ayodhya lit lamps to celebrate his return and coronation. Therefore, celebrating his return to the throne is the primary traditional reason.

The traditional Indian national calendar, as well as many regional lunisolar calendars, begins on the first day of the bright half of the month of Chaitra. This day usually falls in late March or early April and is celebrated under various names like Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, or Chaitra Navratri.

Onam is an annual harvest festival celebrated predominantly by the people of Kerala. It commemorates the return of the mythical King Mahabali and is marked by boat races, floral carpets, and feasts.

Makar Sankranti is celebrated across India to mark the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn, signaling the end of winter and the arrival of the harvest season. While other festivals like Bihu also have harvest associations, Makar Sankranti is specifically celebrated nationwide as the primary harvest festival.