Hindu Festivals Trivia Quiz

Answer: It is a harvest festival

One of the first festivals in the Hindu religion, falling in the month of January (usually on January 14th or 15th), is the festival of Sankranti or Pongal. This festival is celebrated to mark the harvesting of crops by farmers. It is also celebrated to mark the change of direction of the sun, from 'Dakshinayana' (South) to 'Uttarayana' (North).

The Sun God is worshipped on this occasion.

Answer: Mahashivarathri

'Mahashivarathri' (meaning the night of Shiva) is a festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, the destroyer in the Hindu trinity of Gods (the other two Gods in the trinity being Brahma the creator and Vishnu the preserver). This festival is celebrated by offering prayers to Lord Shiva and by observing fasting. Devotees do not sleep at night and spend time praying to the Lord. Devotees break their fast the next day after offering prayers at a Shiva temple.

Answer: It is the festival of colours

The festival of 'Holi' is celebrated as the festival of colours. According to legend, Lord Krishna killed a demoness named Holika and this festival is celebrated to mark this occasion. It is celebrated on the full moon and is celebrated by playing with colours.

Answer: Yugadi

Yugadi (which means start of an era), or Ugadi as it is often referred to, is the New Year festival. The first month in the Hindu calendar is called 'Chaitra' and the first day of this month is celebrated as New Year. People celebrate this festival by reading out the 'Panchanga' (calendar) and by visiting temples and having a sumptuous repast.

In some parts of India it is celebrated as 'Gudi Padwa'.

Answer: To mark the birth of Lord Rama

'Ramanavami' is celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Rama, who is considered an avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. Navami is the ninth day of the month and Rama is supposed to have been born on a Navami. Ramanavami is celebrated by preparing Panaka (a juice prepared with jaggery and musk melon) and Kosambri (a salad made from cucumber). People visit the temple of Rama and offer prayers to celebrate this day.

Answer: Kerala

Onam is a festival celebrated in the state of Kerala. The people of Kerala regard a legendary character, Bali, as their King. According to legend, Bali was banished to the netherworlds by Lord Vishnu (in the avatar of Vamana). The festival of Onam is celebrated to mark the return of King Bali.

The people of Kerala celebrate the festival by visiting temples and preparing a special meal (known as 'Onamsadhya'). In some parts of Kerala, the festival is celebrated by having boat races, which are a popular tourist attraction.

Answer: Krishna

The birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated as 'Janmashtami'. This festival is celebrated in the month of Shravana. According to legend, Lord Krishna was born of the eighth day of the month of Shravana after the full moon. People celebrate by visiting the temple of Lord Krishna.

Answer: Modaka

Lord Ganesha is considered as the first of all Gods and is worshipped as 'Vigneshwara' or the remover of obstacles. The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on the fourth day of the month of Bhadrapada. This festival is celebrated in a grand manner, with people installing statue of Lord Ganesha and performing poojas (rituals) and praying to the Lord. Modaka is a sweet dish made of flour with a sweet filling in it.

The dish is supposed to be a favourite of Lord Ganesha and is prepared during the festival.

The festival is especially popular in Mumbai. Bal Gangadha Tilak, a famous Indian leader, started the practice of public celebration of this festival as a method of uniting people against the British.

Answer: Both of these

Dussehra (Dasara) or Navarathri is celebrated to mark the victory of good over evil. The Goddess Shakti is worshipped in many forms during this festival. The ninth day of the festival is celebrated as 'Mahanvami' to mark the killing of the demon Mahisha by Goddess Durga.

It is also celebrated as 'AyudhaPooja', during which day weapons are worshipped. The tenth day of the festival is celebrated as 'Vijayadashami' to mark the killing of the demon Mahishasura by Goddess Durga.

Answer: Deepavali

'Deepavali' is the festival of lights and is a very popular festival celebrated not only by Hindus but also by people of other religions (including Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists). Apart from celebrations in India, it is celebrated by Hindus and others across the world.

This festival is celebrated by lighting lamps and by bursting firecrackers. The festival is celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama to his capital and also to mark the killing of Narakasura by Lord Krishna. The festival is celebrated for three days with the second day celebrated as Lakshmi Pooja, when Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth, is worshipped.

The festival is also known as 'Diwali'.