Set 3 | Important Indian Festivals, Fairs and Calendars MCQs 2024

Correct Answer is B.

• Mahavir’s birthday is on the 13^th day of the month of Chaitra in the Indian calendar, which falls in late March or early April.
• Mahavir’s auspicious birth (kalnayaka) is observed by both Jain sects, Digambaras(Naked) and Svetambaras(Clothed).
• Images of Mahavira are taken in procession in the streets with much pomp and celebration.

Correct Answer is D.

• Paryushana is the oldest Jain festival, celebrated for eight days by the Svetambaras.
• This is observed around August or September.
• Paryushana is a time for fasting and taking of vows, whereby participants impose restrictions and hardships on themselves in order to keep their minds firmly fixed on religion.

Correct Answer is A.

• Das Lakshan Parva is a Jain festival.
• This festival is celebrated for the self-purification and upliftment which ultimately lead to destination i.e. salvation.
• This is the festival in which ten universal virtues like forgiveness, contentment and self-restraint are venerated and worshipped for self-purification.

Correct Answer is A.

• Deepmalika is called the festival of lights and usually held in mid-October.
• This is the day when Mahavira attained nirvana or moksha.
• There is no fasting. Many Jains also make offerings to Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, in order to promote the prosperity.
• The day after Diwali is the New year, when Mahavir’s chief disciple Gautamaswami attained supreme knowledge and marks the beginning of the new commercial year when merchants open a fresh set of financial books.

Correct Answer is C.

• The Mahamastaka-Abhisheka festival is held every twelve years to honour Lord Bahubali, the son of the 1^st Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha.
• This takes place in Sravanabelgola in Karnataka.
• The tradition of the head-anointing ceremony (Mahamastakaabhisheka) has been performed continuously since 981, when the Colossal statue, 58 feet tall, was first carved on top of the Vindyagiri hill.
• It is illustrated with holy substanes from head to foot, much to the delight of pilgrim devotees who assemble there in great numbers.

Correct Answer is B.

• Jamshed Navrauz is a Parsi festival.
• Some Parsis follow the Fasli calendar and their New Year commences with the Vernal Equinox.
• The New Year celebration dates back to the times of the legendary King of Persisa, Jamshed.
• It is said, that King Jamshed introduced solar reckoning into the Persian calendar, and also determined the date when the Sun enters the constellation of Aries, at the beginning of the Year.

Correct Answer is D.

• Pateti and Khordad Sal is celebrated by Parsi community.
• Pateti is the New Year’s day of the older school of the Parsis and it falls somewhere in September.
• Wearing new clothes, the Parsis offer prayers at the temples, give aims and arrange sumptuous feasts at their homes.
• The birth anniversary of prophet Zoroaster, Khordad Sal is celebrated on the 6^th day of the Parsi month, Farvardin, by offering prayers at the temples.

Correct Answer is A.

• Zarthost No Deeso is observerd as the death anniversary of the prophet Zoroaster, who is believed to have died in a temple while praying.
• The day is an occasion of mourning and discourses are held on the life and works of the Prophet.

Correct Answer is C.

• Passover or Pesach is celebrated by Jews.
• During Passover, Jews remember the story of the Israelited liberation from slavery in Egypt. God unleashed ten plagues on the Egyptians, culminating in the death of every family’s eldest son.
• God told the Israelites to sacrifice lambs and mark their doors with the blood to escape this fate. They ate the lambs with bitter herbs and unleavened bread. There are blessings, songs and other ingredients to symbolise parts of the story. During the meal the adults explain the symbolism to the children.

Correct Answer is B.

• Purim festival is celebrated by Jews.
• Purim celebrates the events told in the Book of Esther, in which a wicked Persian nobleman named Haman plotted to murder all the Jews in the land.
• The Jewish heroine Esther, wife of the King Ahasuerus, persuaded her husband to prevent the massacre and execute Haman.
• Because Esther fasted before going to the King, Purim is preceded by a fast.
• Alms giving is also a very important Purim tradition.