Five Days & Traditions
Diwali Across India
Mythology
Food
Pop Culture
100
The small oil lamps commonly lit during Diwali
A. Diyas
B. Torans
C. Ghunghroos
D. Matkas
A) Diyas
100
In a well-known North Indian tradition, Diwali celebrates Rama returning to which city after a 14 year exile?
A. Mathura
B. Ayodhya
C. Varanasi
D. Haridwar
B. Ayodhya
100
Who is the king of Lanka who abducts Sita in the Ramayana?
A. Shakuni
B. Duryodhana
C. Bali
D. Ravana
D. Ravana
100
hich popular Indian drink is traditionally made using yogurt?
A. Nimbu pani
B. Lassi
C. Jaljeera
D. Masala chai
B. Lassi
100
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a major league for which sport?
A. Hockey
B. Kabaddi
C. Cricket
D. Football
C. Cricket
200
Which goddess is especially honored in the main Diwali-night puja?
A. Saraswati (knowledge, music, art, wisdom, and learning)
B. Durga (power, strength, protection, and destruction of evil)
C. Ganga (purification, forgiveness, and cleansing of sins)
D. Lakshmi (wealth, fortune, prosperity (both material and spiritual), and beauty)
D) Lakshmi
200
In West Bengal, which goddess is prominently worshipped on Diwali night?
A. Saraswati
B. Ganga
C. Sita
D. Kali
D. KaliKali Puja is celebrated during Diwali, primarily in Bengal, Odisha, and Assam, to honor Goddess Kali's victory over the ego and evil forces.
200
Which two groups of cousins are rivals in the Mahabharata?
A. Devas and Asuras
B. Pandavas and Kauravas
C. Yadavas and Nagas
D. Vanaras and Rakshasas
B. Pandavas and Kauravas
200
Which triangular Indian snack is often filled with spiced potatoes?
A. Dosa
B. Jalebi
C. Idli
D. Samosa
D. Samosa
200
Who is the long-running celebrity host most associated with "Kaun Banega Crorepati"?
A. Anil Kapoor
B. Shah Rukh Khan
C. Amitabh Bachchan
D. Akshay Kumar
C. Amitabh Bachchan
300
What does the name "Deepavali" (original name for Diwali) most literally mean?
A. A night of drums
B. A circle of flowers
C. A row of lamps
D. A feast of sweets
C. A row of lamps
300
In many South Indian traditions, Deepavali recalls the defeat of which demon?
A. Hiranyakashipu
B. Mahishasura
C. Narakasura
D. Kumbhakarna
C. Narakasura
South Indian traditions focus heavily on the legend of Naraka Chaturdashi, commemorating the liberation of the world from the tyranny of the demon king Narakasura. This victory is said to have occurred just before dawn. This is why, in South Indian homes, Deepavali celebrations begin early in the morning before sunrise. Families wake up early for a ritual oil bath, wear new clothes, burst crackers, and light lamps to welcome the triumph of light over spiritual darkness.
300
Who serves as Arjuna's charioteer and teaches him in the Bhagavad Gita?
A. Krishna
B. Brahma
C. Shiva
D. Hanuman
A. Krishna
300
Besan, used in pakoras and several Indian sweets, is a flour made from what?
A. Chickpeas
B. Rice
C. Corn
D. Millet
A. Chickpeas
300
Which actor is widely nicknamed "King Khan"?
A. Shah Rukh Khan
B. Salman Khan
C. Aamir Khan
D. Saif Ali Khan
A. Shah Rukh Khan
400
The principal night of Diwali is generally associated with which lunar phase?
A. Full moon
B. First quarter
C. Last quarter
D. New moon (Amavasya)
D. New moon (Amavasya)
The main night of Diwali is purposefully celebrated on the darkest night of the Hindu lunisolar month of Kartika. Lighting clay lamps (diyas) and fireworks during this specific lunar phase symbolizes the ultimate triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance
400
For Jains, Diwali commemorates the nirvana of which spiritual teacher?
A. Gautama Buddha
B. Mahavira
C. Adi Shankara
D. Kabir
B. Mahavira
400
What animal is traditionally depicted as Ganesha's (elephant god) vehicle?
A. Tiger
B. Mouse or rat
C. Swan
D. Owl
B. Mouse or rat
400
What is the name of the crunchy spiral South Indian snack often served during Diwali?
A. Murukku
B. Appam
C. Pongal
D. Sheera
A. Murukku
400
Which 1975 Hindi film introduced the villain Gabbar Singh?
A. Deewaar
B. Sholay
C. Don
D. Zanjeer
B. Sholay
500
Dhanteras is also associated with Dhanvantari, traditionally linked to what field?
A. Classical dance
B. Medicine and Ayurveda
C. Astronomy
D. Poetry
B. Medicine and AyurvedaHe is credited with revealing and propagating Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine and holistic health. His appearance day is celebrated on Dhanteras, the first day of the Diwali festival, where people pray to him for good health and protection from illness.
500
Bandi Chhor Divas, observed by Sikhs around Diwali, honors the release of which Guru?
A. Guru Nanak
B. Guru Gobind Singh
C. Guru Arjan
D. Guru Hargobind Singh
D. Guru Hargobind Singh Ji
Guru Hargobind (sixth Sikh Guru) was unjustly imprisoned at Gwalior Fort by Mughal Emperor Jahangir because the empire grew fearful of the Guru's rising spiritual and military influence. When Jahangir later ordered his release, the Guru refused to leave until 52 wrongfully held Hindu princes were also freed alongside him.
500
Hanuman brings an entire mountain to find which life-saving herb for Lakshmana?
A. Tulsi
B. Ashwagandha
C. Brahmi
D. Sanjeevani
D. Sanjeevani
Lord Hanuman brought the Sanjeevani booti (and the mountain carrying it) from the Himalayas to revive Rama's brother, Lakshmana, who was critically wounded and unconscious during the battle in Lanka. When he could not identify the specific life-saving herb in time, he lifted the entire Dronagiri mountain so the royal physician Sushena could administer the treatment.
500
Pootharekulu, the paper-thin layered sweet, is especially associated with which state?
A. Haryana
B. Andhra Pradesh
C. Kerala
D. Sikkim
B. Andhra Pradesh
500
The song "Chaiyya Chaiyya," famously filmed on a moving train, is from which movie?
A. Bombay
B. Taal
C. Lagaan
D. Dil Se..
D. Dil Se..