Diwali History
& Legends
& Legends
In West Bengal, which goddess is mainly worshipped on Diwali night?
Goddess Kali (Kali Puja)
What is Diwali called in Nepal?
Tihar
In which film does SRK arrive home by helicopter during a grand Diwali puja, while his mother “senses” he’s coming?
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
Which sweet gets rotated from house to house so many times that it might return to the original sender?
Soan Papdi
Diwali falls how many days after Dussehra?
About 20 days (accept 20 or 21)
What is the exact name of Goddess Lakshmi’s vehicle (vahana)?
Uluka, the owl (accept “Ullu”)
Which US President lit the first diya in the Oval Office?
Barack Obama
In the US sitcom The Office, the whole office attends a Diwali party hosted by which character’s family?
Kelly Kapoor
Which cone-shaped cracker sits on the ground and sprays a fountain of sparks upward?
Anar (also called Flowerpot)
What is the decorative door hanging, usually made of flowers and mango leaves, called?
Toran (also called Bandhanwar)
The tradition of playing cards on Diwali night comes from which story?
Shiva and Parvati playing dice. Parvati won and declared that whoever gambles on Diwali night will prosper all year.
Which UK city is famous for one of the biggest Diwali celebrations outside India?
Leicester
Who is the director of the big-budget Ramayana starring Ranbir Kapoor and Yash, slated for a Diwali release?
Nitesh Tiwari
Which town in Tamil Nadu is known as the “Fireworks Capital of India” and makes most of the country’s crackers?
Sivakasi
This flower symbolizes auspiciousness and is offered to God as a symbol of trust in the divine.
Lotus
Dhanteras honors which god of Ayurveda, who emerged from the churning of the ocean carrying a pot of amrit?
Lord Dhanvantari
In 2016, which country’s postal service issued its first official Diwali stamp after years of campaigning?
USA (US Postal Service “Forever” stamp)
The animated film Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama (1992) was made jointly by India and which country?
Japan
Besides gold and utensils, which very ordinary household item do many families buy on Dhanteras because it’s considered a symbol of Lakshmi?
A broom (jhaadu)
Which bright orange-yellow flower is strung into garlands and torans in almost every home on Diwali?
Marigold (Genda phool)
Ram flew back to Ayodhya in a flying chariot. What was it called, and to whom did it originally belong before Ravana took it?
Pushpaka Vimana, originally owned by Kubera (Ravana’s half-brother)
Name 4 countries besides India where Diwali is a public holiday.
Any 4 of: Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, Myanmar
In Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan (1987), who played Lord Hanuman?
Dara Singh
On Diwali night, many families hold a spoon or plate over a burning diya to collect its soot. What do they make from it?
Kajal
Diwali falls on the Amavasya of which month in the Hindu lunar calendar?
Kartik (in the amanta calendar followed in South and West India, it’s the Amavasya of Ashwin, so accept both)