The Ultimate Diwali Quiz by R Ām Lingam

The Ultimate Diwali quiz By R ām Lingam

Shubh Deep āvali to you and your family. Deep āvali or Diwali ~ the Hindu festival of lights brings to our mind images of diyas, sweets, puja, colourful lights, fire crackers, feasting, new purchases, socializing and lots of fun. Here is a little quiz to remind ourselves about Diwali and the origins that makes Diwali the most popular festival of India. Test your Diwali Quotient with just 15 questions. Be ready for some curly questions too and for every right answer treat yourself or your family/friend with something special. Answers are provided at the bottom of the quiz.

1. Diwali is the shortened version of Deep āvali. What does the word Deep āvali actually mean? A. Row of lighted lamps B. Festival of lights C. Circle of lights D. Light of life

2. There is no public holiday for Diwali in which of the following countries? A. Singapore B. Th āiland C. Trinidad & Tobago D. Fiji

3. Diwali commemorates the spiritual enlightenment of which two famous saints? A. Lord Vardhaman Mah āveer and Swami Day ānanda Saraswati B. Rāmakrishna Paramahansa and Chaitanya Mah āprabhu C. Swami Vivek ānanda and Ādi Shankara D. Sant Tuk ārām and Sri Aurobindo

4. Which two historical icons of India does the festival celebrate the return of? A. Krishna and Rukhmani B. King Krishnadeva R āya C. Lord R ām and Sit ā D. Rāja R āja Chola

5. What other religious groups celebrate Diwali in India, apart from Hindus? A. Pārsis and Bah āis B. Jains and Sikhs C. Taoists and Shamans D. Buddhists and Jains

6. What do the Sikhs commonly call Diwali? A. Baisakhi B. Bandi Chhor Divas C. Hola Mohalla

7. "Thalai Deepavali" is a unique Diwali custom of which Indian state? A. Assam B. Kerala C. Karnataka D. Tamil N ādu

8. To whom did Lord Yama explain on the Diwali Am āvāsya (New Moon day) in the Katha Upanishad about the highest wisdom to enlightenment? A. Nārad B. Yudishtra C. Nachiketas D. Mārkandeya

9. For how many days Diwali is celebrated according to the lunar Hindu calendar? A. One B. Two C. Three D. Five

10. What is the first day of Diwali season called? A. Dhanteras B. Diwali C. Laxmi Puja D. Naraka Chaturdashi

11. In which country is Diwali celebrated and referred to as ‘Tihar’ or ‘Swanti’? A. Th āiland B. Nep āl C. Sri Lank ā D. Cambodia

12. Which town in Tamil Nadu is known to make eight out of every 10 crackers in India and has recently employed 40 or so Firecracker consultants from China? A. Tanj āvur B. Madurai C. Sivak āsi D. Tirunelveli

13. What event from Ramayana does Diwali symbolise? A. The birth of Lord R ām B. The return of R ām & Sita to Ayodhya after 14 years C. The killing of R āvan by R ām D. The breaking of the bow by Lord R ām

14. Diwali also commemorates the killing of which evil king by Lord Krishna A. Kamsa B. Narak āsura C. Hiranyakashipu D. Pootana

15. Jains celebrate Diwali because A. Lord Mah āveer was born B. Lord Mah āveer attained to nirvana C. Jain New Year starts D. Jain pilgrimage begins on this day

Answers 1-A, 2-B, 3-A, 4-C, 5-B, 6-B, 7-D, 8-C, 9-D, 10-A, 11-B, 12-C, 13-B, 14-B, 15-B

Diwali greetings May the light of the lamp burn brightly in our hearts on this holy occasion of Diwali! || Om asato ma sat gamaya | Tamaso ma jothir gamaya | Mrityor ma amritam gamaya | Om shanti shanti shanti ||

In the words of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, the true significance of Diwali is beautifully summarized as: "The night is black. Kindle the lamp of love with thy life and devotion."