Ramayana (North India)
What was the name of the demon-king that Rama defeated to win Sita back (and the reason why we celebrate Diwali today as a triumph of good over evil)?
Ravana
What do we call the traditional Gujarati dance that happens during Navaratri?
Garba (huzzzz)
Which god/dess do we celebrate on Diwali?
Maa Lakshmi
How long is Diwali? (in general but varies by region)
5 days
In South India, Diwali celebrates the defeat of this powerful demon king.
Narakasura
Which god/goddess helped Rama and Lakshmana build a bridge to Lanka and helped defeat evil?
Hanuman Ji
In Maharashtra, Diwali celebrations begin with Vasu Baras, a day devoted to worshipping this sacred animal, symbolizing motherhood and nourishment:
A cow
What month of the Hindu calendar is Diwali celebrated in?
Kartik(a) (October-November), but can also be celebrated in Ashvin(a) (September-October)
What does Diwali mean in English?
"row of lights"
Who defeated Narakasura in triumph of good over evil?
Lord Krishna
Who were the four sons of King Dasharatha?
Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna
Many Diwali rituals honor Lakshmi and this second deity, who removes obstacles before new beginnings.
Lord Ganesha
What is the purpose of Rangoli?
to welcome guests and deities, symbolizing good luck, prosperity, and joy at the entrance of a home
What language does the word "Diwali" originate from?
What traditional ritual do many South Indians begin their Diwali morning with?
An oil bath (abhyanga snanam)
DOUBLE JEAPORDY:
How many years did Queen Kaikeyi exile Ram for AND why did she exile him?
14 years; She wanted her own son, Bharata, to be king, and exiled Ram using one of the wishes King Dasharatha gave her (for saving his life during battle.)
In Eastern India, the main deity worshipped on Diwali night isn’t Lakshmi but this fierce goddess:
Kali Maa
In what states is Diwali officially recognized as a statewide holiday?
NJ (yess edison rep✊🏽), California, Connecticut, New York (partly), Pennsylvania
Name a movie where the characters celebrate Diwali:
K3G, DDLJ, Om Shanti Om, etc
DOUBLE JEAPORDY:
What weapon did Lord Krishna borrow from his wife to fight the demon-king AND what did it symbolize?
the bow, Shakti — divine feminine energy
How did Ram win Princess Sita's hand in marriage?
He strung Lord Shiva's bow (and prompted to break it).
Some Jain communities celebrate Diwali as the day this spiritual teacher attained enlightenment:
Mahavira
Names the activities done on each specific day of Diwali
Day 1: Clean homes and buy gold and other things to bring good luck.
Day 2: Decorate homes with diyas and rangolis.
Day 3: Lakshmi Pooja
Day 4: First day of Hindu New Year, visit friends and relatives with gifts and well wishes
Day 5: Brothers and sisters get together to celebrate their relationship
What day kicks off Diwali season, where people buy gold, silver, and new utensils for good luck?
Dhanteras
When Krishna freed the 16,100 imprisoned women after defeating Narakasura, what did he do to restore their honor and dignity in society?
He married them all symbollically, after they asked him to