Days of Diwali
What kinds of things do we buy on Dhanteras, specifically?
What was Ram's mother's name?
Kausalya
What are diyas made of (traditionally) and what oil is supposed to be used?
Terracotta; Mustard oil
Who wrote the Ramayana first?
Poet Valmiki
Other than India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, name 6 places Diwali is a national holiday
Mauritius, Guyana, Singapore, Suriname, Malaysia, Fiji, Trinidad & Tobago, Myanmar
What is the main idea on Choti Diwali?
To wash away all sins
Who were the wives of Rama's three brothers?
Urmila, Mandavi, and Shrutkirti
Name 4 things people do to welcome Laxmiji into their homes
Clean, light diyas, set of fireworks, make rangolis, set out delicacies and food
The name "Diwali" originated from what?
Deepa - lamps, avali - rows (rows of lamps)
What do "tihar" and "swanti" mean and where are they used?
They mean Diwali and are used in Nepal
Name the five days of Diwali, in order
Dhanteras, Choti Diwali/Naraka Chaturdasi, Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja/Padva, Bhai Dooj
What clan was Ravan from?
Rishi Pulatsya
What state is Jhoti or Chita used in?
How long ago, do historians estimate, was the first celebration of Diwali?
2,500+ years (around 500 BCE)
On the same night Diwali is celebrated, Jains celebrate the festival of lights representing what?
To mark the attainment of moksha (nirvana) by Mahavira
Diwali is celebrated in which Hindu month, and what day of that month?
Kaartik, 15th day
After Sita got married to Rama and spent a few days happily, they had to go into exile. On the way, they met many sages. What did Sage Atri's wife, Anusuya, give to Sita?
Clothes and a jewel that would never fade
Diwali can't be celebrated without fireworks - which city, in what state, in India is the biggest producer of fireworks?
Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu
When, approximately, was the first record of firework usage in India?
Around 1400 CE
Sikhs celebrate Diwali too, what does it represent for them?
Marks release of their guruji – Guru Hargobind Sahibji – and 52 other royals of India that were made captives by the mogul emperor Shah Jahan.
Throughout the days of Diwali, Krishna is commemorated for defeat of two beings? Which two and on what days?
Choti Diwali (2) - Narakasura
Govardhan Puja (4) - Indra
Why was Rama sent to exile for exactly 14 years? (Not why was he exiled, why was it that number?)
As per threta yuga, if a prince or king doesn't take responsibilities of kingdom for 14 years, they lose the right to rule the kingdom permanently
What were the first type of firecrackers in India?
Sparklers (फुलझड़ियों)
Who introduced fireworks on Diwali?
Maratha rulers (they organized fireworks for the general public in 1800s-ish)
What does Diwali mean for Buddhists?
A commemoration of the day when Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism in the 3rd century BCE