Indian Festivals and Culture

Narakasura (also spelled Narahasur in some sources) was a demon killed by Krishna, and his death is celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi, which is part of Diwali festivities in many regions. The name is misspelled as 'Narahasur' in the option.

Dasara (Dussehra) celebrates the death of the demon king Mahishasura, who was killed by the goddess Durga. This is why the festival is also called Mahishasura Mardini. Ravana's death is celebrated on Dussehra in the Ramayana tradition (particularly in North India), but the question specifically asks about the Dasara festival's origin.

Vishu is the Malayalam New Year festival celebrated in Kerala in mid-April. Onam is a harvest festival, Pongal is Tamil, and Ugadi (misspelled as gudipavda) is Karnataka/Andhra.

Onam is the major harvest festival of Kerala, celebrating the homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali. It features elaborate feasts (Onasadya), flower carpets (Pookalam), boat races (Vallam Kali), and various cultural festivities. Pongal is Tamil Nadu's harvest festival, Holi is a spring festival, and Navroz is the Parsi New Year.

Durga Puja is the most important festival for Bengalis (both West Bengal and Bangladesh), celebrating the goddess Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. It involves elaborate idols, pandals, cultural performances, and community feasting. While Saraswati Puja is important, Durga Puja is the primary festival.

Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) is the harvest festival of Punjab, celebrated on April 13-14 marking the birth of Khalsa and the harvest of Rabi crops. Lohri (January 13) precedes Baisakhi, Holi is a spring festival, and Rakhi celebrates sibling bonds. Baisakhi is specifically Punjabi's primary harvest celebration.

Diwali symbolizes the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. It commemorates Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, and Goddess Lakshmi's emergence from the ocean. While Durga Puja also celebrates good over evil (Goddess Durga slaying Mahishasura), Diwali is more universally recognized as the primary festival representing this theme in Hindu tradition.

Durga Puja was traditionally celebrated during Basanta (Spring), which is considered the auspicious time. The autumn celebration during Ashwin was an untimely invocation hence called Akal-bodhon, first performed by Lord Rama before his battle with Ravana.

To answer this question, the user needs to have knowledge about Bengali culture and the various rituals and customs associated with Durga Puja.

The program that airs every Mahalaya and is popular among Bengalees is not Agomoni, Durga-stotra, or Parboni.

The Answer is: B. Mahisasur-mardini. This program is a radio program broadcasted by All India Radio (AIR) Kolkata, narrating the story of the goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahisasura. This program is considered a significant part of the Durga Puja celebrations and is eagerly awaited by Bengalis every year.

Dhanteras is the first day of the five-day Diwali festival, celebrated two days before the main Diwali day. It is dedicated to worship of wealth and prosperity, and people buy gold, silver, or utensils on this auspicious day. Narak Chaturdashi (also called Choti Diwali) is the second day, while Ganesh Puja and Lakshmi Puja are rituals performed on the main Diwali day.

Diwali is primarily associated with Lakshmi Puja, the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, who symbolizes wealth and prosperity. The main Diwali day is called Lakshmi Puja in many regions, and devotees light lamps and pray for prosperity. While Ganesh is often worshipped alongside Lakshmi, the festival is not primarily associated with Ganesh Puja, Kartik Puja, or Durga Puja.

This question references a specific scene from the movie 'Mrigaya' (1976) starring Mithun Chakraborty. The question asks about the location of a yearly fair that Amar and Ravina visit after the song 'Elo Ji Sanam Hum Aa Gaye'. While this is a specific film detail that would require watching the movie to verify, we'll accept the provided answer as it references a scene from the film mentioned in block 19448.

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.

According to Hindu mythology, during Onam, the legendary King Mahabali returns to visit his kingdom in Kerala. Onam celebrates this homecoming and marks the beginning of the harvest festival, with elaborate feasts (Onasadya), boat races, and cultural performances symbolizing prosperity and equality.