Navaratri and Dasara Festival Quiz

The Navadurgas are nine specific forms of Durga: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri. While Mahakali is a powerful goddess and form of Durga, she is not traditionally listed as one of the nine Navadurgas. Bhadrakali, Bhairavi, and Bhavani are forms of the goddess but are not the correct answer here.

The five Navaratris are Sharad (September-October), Vasant (March-April), Magha (January-February), Ashada (July-August), and one Gupta (hidden) Navaratri. Sharad Navaratri, also called Maha Navaratri, is the most widely celebrated and occurs just before Dussehra during the lunar month of Ashwin. Vasant Navaratri occurs in spring, Ashada in monsoon, and Sheet is not one of the five.

Navaratri worship is divided into three three-day sets: first three days dedicated to Durga/Kali (spiritual force to destroy negative tendencies), next three to Lakshmi (spiritual wealth and prosperity), and final three days to Saraswati (wisdom and knowledge). Bhavani, Bhairavi, and Annapurna are forms of the goddess but not the answer to this specific question.

Mahanavaratri celebrates the slaying of the buffalo demon Mahishasura by Goddess Durga, which is why she is also called Mahishasuramardini. This victory symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. Bakasura and Jatasura were demons killed by other deities (Bhima and Krishna respectively), while Narakasura was killed by Krishna, not Durga.

According to Hindu mythology, different gods gifted weapons to Durga for her battle against Mahishasura: Vishnu gave the discus (Chakra), Shiva gave the trident (Trishul), Brahma gave the water pot (Kamandalu), Kuber gave the Ratnahar, Indra gave the thunderbolt (Vajra), and others gave various weapons. Krishna is an avatar of Vishnu but the Chakra is specifically associated with Vishnu in this context.

Bommakollu (also called Golu or Kolu) is the traditional Tamil Nadu practice of arranging dolls and figurines during Navratri. The word comes from Tamil 'bommai' (doll) and 'kollu' (display). This custom is specific to Tamil Nadu and parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, but not Maharashtra, Bengal, or Orissa.

The ninth day of Navratri/Dussehra is called Ayudha Puja (also known as Ayudha Pooja or Astra Puja), when weapons and tools are worshipped. Vijaya Dasami is the tenth day (final day), Durgashtami is the eighth day, and Bommakollu is the doll display tradition.

In North India, Dussehra celebrates Rama's victory over the ten-headed demon king Ravana, marking the triumph of good over evil. This is based on the Ramayana where Rama killed Ravana and rescued Sita. Mahishasura is associated with Durga Puja in East India, while Kumbhakarna and Vali were other demons vanquished by Rama during different events.

Kumbhakarna, Ravana's brother in the Ramayana, is famous for two extreme traits: his ability to sleep for incredibly long periods (6 months at a time) and his enormous appetite. He would sleep for 6 months, stay awake for 1 day, then sleep again. These traits were actually a boon from Brahma that was manipulated by a curse into a curse disguised as a boon.

During Dasara/Dussehra, Goddess Durga and other female deities (devis) are worshipped, particularly in the eastern and southern states of India. The festival celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. Hanuman is worshipped separately (on Hanuman Jayanti), while devas (gods) and asuras (demons) are not the focus of Dasara worship.

Mysore (Mysuru) in Karnataka is famous for its Dasara elephant procession, part of the royal Dasara celebrations that date back centuries. The majestic procession involves decorated elephants carrying the howdah (golden seat) through the streets. Shimoga, Bangalore, and Jog Falls don't have this famous elephant parade tradition.

Dandiya Raas is a traditional folk dance form from Gujarat, performed during the Navratri festival. It involves pairs of dancers with sticks, moving in circular patterns to rhythmic music. The dance celebrates the goddess Amba and is a central part of Navratri celebrations in Gujarat.

Dasara, also known as Dussehra or Navaratri in various regions, is celebrated over ten days. The first nine nights are Navaratri, culminating in Vijayadashami on the tenth day.

In Ayodhya, during the Dasara festival, there is a traditional practice where people exchange leaves of the Apati tree (also known as Aparajita or Clitoria ternatea) as a gesture of goodwill and celebration. This is a unique regional custom specific to Ayodhya's Dasara observances.