All Night Trivia Quiz

Answer: Candle

In the tradition of all Abrahamic religions, God created the world in six days and on the seventh day he rested. This is a guide to people to take a day of rest every week. In Judaism, this day is called the Shabbat or Sabbath and begins at sundown on Friday evening, lasting till three stars appear in the sky on Saturday night.

The Shabbat candles are lit and a blessing is recited to mark the beginning of this time.

Answer: Both

A vigil is a service held on the eve of the actual celebration. In many parts of the world, Christmas and Easter mass services are held at midnight or even late evening on the eve of the feast.

Answer: Jainism

Jainism originated on the Indian subcontinent. One of the tenets of the faith is non-violence, with followers not only practicing vegetarianism but also going to great pains to avoid causing harm to any living beings. There are many types of fasting in Jainism. The most common is known as upvas which involves abstaining from food for 36 hours - from sunset of day 1 to sunrise of day 3.

Answer: Shiva

Mahashivratri literally means 'the great night of Shiva'. Shiva is one of the main gods in the Hindu triumvirate. Shivratri, or the night of Shiva, occurs during every month of the Hindu calendar on the day before the new moon. However, the one occurring during the period of February-March in the Western calendar is of special significance, and is known as Mahashivratri.

It is a solemn festival marked by meditation and fasting, with devotees of Shiva staying awake the whole night praying and chanting.

Answer: All of these

Vesak celebrates all three major events of Buddha's life - his birth, attaining of enlightenment and death, on the same day. It is important to note that different countries and different traditions celebrate this festival on different dates. In some cases, it is the first full moon in the Buddhist month of Vesak, which could fall anytime from late April to early June.

Answer: 12 days

Ridván marks the period when the Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í faith first declared himself to be a manifestation of God. The 12 day festival begins at sunset on the 32nd day of the Bahá'í calendar. Ridván means paradise and the festival takes its name from the Garden of Ridván where the Bahá'u'lláh spent 12 days in exile. Followers of the Bahá'í faith are called to abstain from all work on the first, ninth, and twelfth days of the festival.

Answer: Vishnu

The bonfire is known as Holika dahan or Holika's pyre. It commemorates the destruction of Holika by the Hindu god Vishnu to save his devotee Prahlad. The next day is celebrated as Holi, a spring festival where people put coloured powders on each other or spray coloured water. Traditionally, natural plant based colours were used, which also served to protect from colds and fevers which were common at the start of spring.

Answer: Jerusalem

The night of Isra and Mi'raj is observed during the Islamic month of Rajab. The two-fold journey starts with Prophet Muhammad going from Mecca to Jerusalem (this is the night of Isra) and then being taken to heaven where he is able to meet the other prophets of Islam and speak with God (the night of Mi'raj). Some Muslims consider the ascension to heaven to be a spiritual experience rather than an actual transportation to heaven.

Rome and Varanasi are not holy cities for Muslims, instead they are considered holy by Christians and Hindus respectively.

Answer: Buddhism

The Lantern Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the 1st month of the Chinese calendar. It now marks the end of the Chinese New Year festivities. The festival dates back over 2000 years, when the celebrations were instituted by the Chinese Emperor Ming of Han drawing from the observances of the Buddhists.

The Emperor was inclined towards Buddhism and adopted this from the practice of the Buddhist monks. It is now celebrated in a non religious fashion. There is also a different Lantern Festival celebrated in Singapore and Malaysia during the Mid-Autumn Harvest festival.

Answer: Saint Walpurga

Saint Walpurga was canonized on the 1st of May, 870. The eve of this day is celebrated as Walpurgis Night mainly in Germany, but also in other parts of Europe. Bonfires are lit to ward off evil spirits. Saint Walpurga is believed to have led many of the local people to convert from paganism to Christianity.

She is therefore called upon to help keep them safe from witches and other evil spirits.