Festivals play an important part in the life of a Hindu. These are the periods of most enjoyment. The joy of worshipping together and enjoying to the fullest is brought about by the spiritual meanings of each festival. The Festivals are associated with Hindu mythology and also mark participation in the productive mutual activities.
Not only mythology but seasons too play a great role in the festivals. The spring festivals, the harvest festivals and the other festivals related to agriculture show the bond between man and nature. Even though Durga Puja and Diwali have mythological stories associated with them they are also the autumn festivals, welcoming the harvesting season of winter.
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The culture behind these enjoyable festivals has its roots in age-old traditions and the happiness of the common man. In primitive society relationships corresponded with the forces of production. The festivals revealed the harmony between beings without any veils. But with the passage of time the social relations grew more complex. Thus, the festivals slowly lost their folk traditions, although in many regions (such as the north-eastern part of India) the festivals still exhibit folk-characteristics by including folk-songs, folk dramas, folk-dances and the rituals linked with folk-beliefs.
Even though the festivals in today's world have lost a good amount of their significance in the original perspective they still play a definite role in keeping society integrated. The Hindu Society is divided into various groups and classes and is quite antagonistic. This differentiation often creates confusion and quarrels but the festivals play a very important role in maintaining social harmony.[/readmore]
1.
|
The beginning of the year in January marks the celebration of the Sankranti or Pongal festival. What does this festival celebrate? |
|
[ ] |
The beginning of spring |
[ ] |
The New Year |
[ ] |
The end of autumn |
[ ] |
The harvest |
|
|
2.
|
One of the most important festivals is Holi. Which of these best describes the festival? |
|
[ ] |
A celebration of the creation of the universe |
[ ] |
A festival of colours |
[ ] |
A celebration of the continuation of the universe |
[ ] |
A festival of sounds |
|
|
3.
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Which one of the Hindu festivals is celebrated by fasting throughout the day and staying awake at night in prayer? |
|
[ ] |
Mahalakshmi Pooja |
[ ] |
Gurupoornima |
[ ] |
Mahashivarathri |
[ ] |
Ananthapadmanabha Vratha |
|
|
4.
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While the 1st of January is New Year's Day according to the Gregorian Calendar, in the Hindu calendar the beginning of a new year usually falls in the month of April. What is the name of the Hindu New Year Festival? |
|
[ ] |
Yugadi |
[ ] |
Buddha Poornima |
[ ] |
Chhath |
[ ] |
Vasant Panchami |
|
|
5.
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Onam is an important festival celebrated mostly in which Indian state? |
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[ ] |
Bihar |
[ ] |
Andhra Pradesh |
[ ] |
Kerala |
[ ] |
Maharashtra |
|
|
6.
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Ramanavami is another important Hindu festival dedicated to the god Rama. Why is this festival celebrated? |
|
[ ] |
To mark the birth of Lord Rama |
[ ] |
To mark the marriage of Lord Rama to Sita |
[ ] |
To mark the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana |
[ ] |
To mark the coronation of Lord Rama as King |
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|
7.
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Janmashtami is a popular festival celebrated to mark the birth of which Hindu God? |
|
[ ] |
Yama |
[ ] |
Surya |
[ ] |
Rama |
[ ] |
Krishna |
|
|
8.
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One of the popular festivals in September/October is celebrated for nine nights and ten days. By what two names is this festival known in Mysore? |
|
[ ] |
Ananthapadmanabha and Vratha |
[ ] |
Navarathri and Dussehra |
[ ] |
Vasant and Panchami |
[ ] |
Andhra and Pradesh |
|
|
9.
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Ganesh Chaturthi is an important festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha. This is one of the most important Hindu festivals and is celebrated by preparing which sweet dish? |
|
[ ] |
Cake |
[ ] |
Rasagolla |
[ ] |
Kheer |
[ ] |
Modaka |
|
|
10.
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Pancha Ganapati is a five day festival which takes place between the 21st and the 25th of December. To which god is the festival in honour? |
|
[ ] |
Shiva |
[ ] |
Vishnu |
[ ] |
Brahma |
[ ] |
Ganesha |
|
|
1.
|
The beginning of the year in January marks the celebration of the Sankranti or Pongal festival. What does this festival celebrate? |
|
[ ] |
The beginning of spring |
[ ] |
The New Year |
[ ] |
The end of autumn |
[x] |
The harvest |
|
|
2.
|
One of the most important festivals is Holi. Which of these best describes the festival? |
|
[ ] |
A celebration of the creation of the universe |
[x] |
A festival of colours |
[ ] |
A celebration of the continuation of the universe |
[ ] |
A festival of sounds |
|
|
3.
|
Which one of the Hindu festivals is celebrated by fasting throughout the day and staying awake at night in prayer? |
|
[ ] |
Mahalakshmi Pooja |
[ ] |
Gurupoornima |
[x] |
Mahashivarathri |
[ ] |
Ananthapadmanabha Vratha |
|
|
4.
|
While the 1st of January is New Year's Day according to the Gregorian Calendar, in the Hindu calendar the beginning of a new year usually falls in the month of April. What is the name of the Hindu New Year Festival? |
|
[x] |
Yugadi |
[ ] |
Buddha Poornima |
[ ] |
Chhath |
[ ] |
Vasant Panchami |
|
|
5.
|
Onam is an important festival celebrated mostly in which Indian state? |
|
[ ] |
Bihar |
[ ] |
Andhra Pradesh |
[x] |
Kerala |
[ ] |
Maharashtra |
|
|
6.
|
Ramanavami is another important Hindu festival dedicated to the god Rama. Why is this festival celebrated? |
|
[x] |
To mark the birth of Lord Rama |
[ ] |
To mark the marriage of Lord Rama to Sita |
[ ] |
To mark the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana |
[ ] |
To mark the coronation of Lord Rama as King |
|
|
7.
|
Janmashtami is a popular festival celebrated to mark the birth of which Hindu God? |
|
[ ] |
Yama |
[ ] |
Surya |
[ ] |
Rama |
[x] |
Krishna |
|
|
8.
|
One of the popular festivals in September/October is celebrated for nine nights and ten days. By what two names is this festival known in Mysore? |
|
[ ] |
Ananthapadmanabha and Vratha |
[x] |
Navarathri and Dussehra |
[ ] |
Vasant and Panchami |
[ ] |
Andhra and Pradesh |
|
|
9.
|
Ganesh Chaturthi is an important festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha. This is one of the most important Hindu festivals and is celebrated by preparing which sweet dish? |
|
[ ] |
Cake |
[ ] |
Rasagolla |
[ ] |
Kheer |
[x] |
Modaka |
|
|
10.
|
Pancha Ganapati is a five day festival which takes place between the 21st and the 25th of December. To which god is the festival in honour? |
|
[ ] |
Shiva |
[ ] |
Vishnu |
[ ] |
Brahma |
[x] |
Ganesha |
|
|