Mythology
Navaratri celebrates the victory of this goddess over the demon Mahishasura.
Durga
In which Indian state did garba originate?
Gujarat
What does “Navaratri” mean in Sanskrit?
Nine nights
The feminine divine is worshipped in three primary forms (as three goddesses). Who are these three goddesses?
Durga/Parvati, Lakshmi, Saraswati
What does Parvati's name mean?
Daughter of the Mountain
The demon Mahishasura asked for this boon, which allowed him to terrorize the world. The gods managed to subvert this boon with the creation of Durga. Describe the boon.
No man could kill him
In North India, Dussehra festivities often involve burning effigies of this figure.
Ravana
Mahishasura means ____- demon. (Hint: it is an animal).
Buffalo
What is Durga's mount (animal)? One of two answers is acceptable.
Lion or Tiger
Name one form of Parvati that is celebrated during Navaratri
Devi Chandraganta
Devi Katyayini
Devi Kalaratri
In the Ramayana, what key event does Dussehra/ Vijayadashami – the final day of Navaratri – represent?
Rāma defeating Rāvana
In South India, Navaratri is often celebrated with tiered displays of figurines. What is this practice called?
Golu
The origin of Dussehra/Dasara/Vijayadashami lies in the number of the day on which it falls (as in, on day "x" of the festival). What is this number?
10
Classically, Durga carries 10 weapons (given to her by the various male gods). Shiva gave her this particular weapon, what is this?
Trishula or trident
A name that means "one who flows"
Saraswati
Dussehra/Vijayadashami has significance in the Mahabharata as well. Before going into exile, these brothers hid their weapons in a tree. Dussehra/Vijayadashami marked the day they finished their exile and reclaimed their weapons. Name this group of brothers.
The Pandavas
If you name the individual brothers (Yuddhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva), that's cool, too :).
The large-scale Durga Pujas of Bengal have been immortalized in art and literature. One well-known tradition that occurs on the last day of the festival involves married women celebratorily smearing a particular substance on each other’s faces. What is this substance?
Kumkum or sindūra
Sanedo, a type of Gujarati folk music, comes from the Sanskrit word “sneha.” What does this terms refer to?
Love/affection
In Southeast Asian culture, there are many beautiful instances of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain imagery. One such example is the fearsome queen/goddess Rangda, who is sometimes identified with Durga and Kali. Name the island whose mythology includes Rangda. (Hint: this island, a popular tourist destination, is the only Hindu-majority province in Indonesia).
Bali
Name any 3 Lakshmi in Ashtalakshmi
A Mahabharata legend involving Dussehra/Vijayadashami says that this Pandava singlehandedly defeated the Kuru armies on that auspicious day. Name this Pandava. (Hint: his name is somewhat related with the Latin word for “silver” --> think periodic table!).
Arjuna
[Arjuna ~ Argentum (Ag)].
In North India, dramatic/musical productions celebrating the life of Lord Rāma are often performed during Navaratri. What is the technical term for these productions?
Rāmalīlā
The origin of the word “garba” lies in the fact that people dance around a clay pot with a central lamp, called a “garbha-deepa.” What does the Sanskrit word “garbha” mean?
Womb, uterus, fetus, etc.
In these well-known caves, one can find carvings of Ambika/Kushmandini, a Jain goddess whose iconography is similar to that of Durga or Parvati. Name these famous caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Maharashtra.
Ellora Caves
Ancient form of Lakshmi is known as ? Bhoodevi or Aadilakshmi or Sitadevi
Aadi Lakshmi