General Awareness
Indian Festivals and Culture
2,879 Questions
Indian festivals and culture encompass diverse religious celebrations, harvest festivals, and regional traditions. Questions cover festivals like Holi, Maha Shivaratri, and Ugadi. Deepen your knowledge of cultural rituals and traditional practices for state level exams.
Hindu religious festivalsSikh martial festivalsRegional harvest festivalsFestival rituals and traditionsCultural dance celebrations
Indian Festivals and Culture Questions
What is the name of the Hindu festival of lights?
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Diwali
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Holi
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Dussehra
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Navratri
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights. It is celebrated on the darkest night of the month of Kartik, which usually falls in October or November. During Diwali, Hindus decorate their homes with lights, candles, and diyas (oil lamps). They also exchange gifts and sweets, and pray to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
Which Buddhist festival celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha?
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Vesak
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Songkran
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Loy Krathong
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Makha Bucha
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Vesak is a Buddhist festival that celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Vaisakha, which usually falls in April or May. During Vesak, Buddhists visit temples, meditate, and offer food and flowers to the Buddha.
What is the name of the Jewish holiday that commemorates the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt?
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Passover
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Rosh Hashanah
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Yom Kippur
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Sukkot
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Passover is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Nisan, which usually falls in March or April. During Passover, Jews eat matzah (unleavened bread) and seder meals, and they tell the story of the Exodus.
Which Christian holiday celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ?
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Christmas
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Easter
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Good Friday
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Lent
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated on December 25th. During Christmas, Christians decorate their homes with Christmas trees, lights, and ornaments. They also exchange gifts and attend church services.
What is the name of the Muslim holiday that marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage?
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Eid al-Fitr
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Eid al-Adha
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Ashura
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Mawlid al-Nabi
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Eid al-Adha is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage. It is celebrated on the 10th day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, which usually falls in July or August. During Eid al-Adha, Muslims sacrifice animals, distribute meat to the poor, and pray to God.
Which Hindu festival celebrates the victory of good over evil and the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya?
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Diwali
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Holi
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Dussehra
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Navratri
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Dussehra is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil and the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya. It is celebrated on the tenth day of the month of Ashvin, which usually falls in September or October. During Dussehra, Hindus burn effigies of Ravana, the demon king, and celebrate the victory of Lord Rama.
What is the name of the festival that is celebrated by the Achintya Bheda Abheda School of Vedanta to commemorate the birth of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu?
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Gaura Purnima
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Radhashtami
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Janmashtami
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Diwali
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Gaura Purnima is the name of the festival that is celebrated by the Achintya Bheda Abheda School of Vedanta to commemorate the birth of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
What is the concept of 'Langar' in Sikhism?
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Community kitchen
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Free meal served in gurdwaras
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Ritualistic feast
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Ceremonial offering
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Langar is a communal meal served in gurdwaras, where people from all backgrounds can eat together.
What is the concept of 'Vaisakhi' in Sikhism?
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Harvest festival
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New Year's Day
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Commemoration of the Khalsa
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All of the above
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Vaisakhi is a Sikh festival that marks the harvest, the beginning of the new year, and the commemoration of the Khalsa.
What is the significance of 'Diwali' in Sikhism?
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Festival of lights
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Celebration of victory
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Commemoration of Guru Nanak's birth
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All of the above
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Diwali is a Sikh festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil, the commemoration of Guru Nanak's birth, and the festival of lights.
Which festival is celebrated in the grand Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, featuring a spectacular procession of the goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar?
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Pongal
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Diwali
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Chithirai Festival
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Holi
C
Correct answer
Explanation
The Chithirai Festival is an annual 10-day event held in April-May, marking the divine wedding of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar. It features a grand procession, cultural performances, and religious rituals.
Which festival held in the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam, is associated with the worship of the goddess Kamakhya and is considered one of the Shakti Peethas?
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Navratri
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Durga Puja
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Ambubachi Mela
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Makar Sankranti
C
Correct answer
Explanation
The Ambubachi Mela is an annual 4-day festival held in June-July, where devotees gather to pay homage to the goddess Kamakhya during her menstrual cycle.
Which festival is celebrated in the Akshardham Temple in New Delhi, showcasing the life and teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan?
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Diwali
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Holi
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Janmashtami
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Akshardham Diwali
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Akshardham Diwali is a grand 3-day festival held in November, featuring cultural programs, light shows, and special exhibitions.
The annual Hemis Festival in Ladakh is associated with which Buddhist monastery and celebrates the birth anniversary of which revered guru?
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Tawang Monastery, Dalai Lama
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Rumtek Monastery, Karmapa Lama
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Hemis Monastery, Padmasambhava
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Drepung Monastery, Je Tsongkhapa
C
Correct answer
Explanation
The Hemis Festival is a 2-day event held in June-July, featuring masked dances, music, and religious rituals.
The annual Garba festival is a vibrant celebration of which goddess, particularly popular in the state of Gujarat?
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Goddess Lakshmi
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Goddess Saraswati
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Goddess Durga
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Goddess Amba
D
Correct answer
Explanation
The Garba festival is held during Navratri, where devotees perform the traditional Garba dance in colorful attire, accompanied by music and songs.