India is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and diverse celebrations. Festivals play a significant role in the lives of Indians, reflecting the country’s history, traditions, and religious beliefs. Here are multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on some of the most famous festivals in India, which are often included in competitive exams.
Top 30 Famous Festivals in India MCQS For OSSSC RI,ARI, Amin, SFS, ICDS Supervisor
- In which state of India is the harvest festival of ‘Kailpodh’ celebrated by an indigenous community?
A) Odisha
B) Madhya Pradesh
C) Jharkhand
D) Karnataka
Answer: D) Karnataka
Explanation: Kailpodh is an indigenous harvest festival celebrated in Kodagu (Coorg), Karnataka. - The _____ festival is celebrated by the Ahom people of Assam on 31st January every year in memory of the departed.
A) Me-Dam-Me-Phi
B) TirthaMukh
C) Lampra Puja
D) Ashokastami
Answer: A) Me-Dam-Me-Phi
Explanation: Me-Dam-Me-Phi is the most important ancestor worship festival in the Ahom religion, celebrated by the Ahom people on 31 January every year in memory of the departed. - ‘Bathukamma’ and ‘Bonalu’ are state festivals of:
A) Karnataka
B) Tamil Nadu
C) Kerala
D) Telangana
Answer: D) Telangana
Explanation: Bathukamma and Bonalu are state festivals of Telangana. Telangana was declared a full-fledged state on 2 June 2014 after separating from Andhra Pradesh. - _____ is a festival of Zoroastrian origin which marks the day of the vernal equinox in March every year and is celebrated by Parsis in India.
A) Frawardigan
B) Khordad Sal
C) Jamshedi Navroz
D) Pateti
Answer: C) Jamshedi Navroz
Explanation: Jamshedi Navroz is a festival of Zoroastrian origin, marking the day of the vernal equinox in March and celebrated by Parsis in India as their New Year. - Ravindra Sangeet is a collection of folk songs which are sung during the festivals and rituals of which state?
A) Himachal Pradesh
B) Maharashtra
C) West Bengal
D) Bihar
Answer: C) West Bengal
Explanation: Also known as Tagore Songs, Rabindra Sangeet consists of songs written and composed by Rabindranath Tagore, sung during festivals and rituals in West Bengal. - In which of the following festivals does the meaning translate to ‘merry making of the gods’?
A) Diwali
B) Pongal
C) Lai Haraoba
D) Makar Sankranti
Answer: C) Lai Haraoba
Explanation: Lai Haraoba is a ritualistic festival of Manipur that is believed to be the re-enactment of the creation of the universe by the gods and goddesses. - Saga Dawa is a festival of which state?
A) Sikkim
B) Tripura
C) Manipur
D) Assam
Answer: A) Sikkim
Explanation: Saga Dawa is a month-long festival celebrated in Sikkim, honoring Buddha Sakyamuni, whose birth, enlightenment, and nirvana all took place in the same month. - The Hornbill Festival is celebrated in which state?
A) Assam
B) Meghalaya
C) Nagaland
D) Arunachal Pradesh
Answer: C) Nagaland
Explanation: The Hornbill Festival, known as the ‘Festival of Festivals’, is held annually from 1 to 10 December in Nagaland to revive and promote the Naga heritage and traditions. - Sakewa is a religious festival celebrated by the Kirat Khambu Rai community of ______.
A) Arunachal Pradesh
B) Sikkim
C) Meghalaya
D) Nagaland
Answer: B) Sikkim
Explanation: Sakewa is a religious festival celebrated by the Kirat Khambu Rai community of Sikkim, also known as Bhoomi Pooja or Chandi Puja, which means worship of Mother Earth. - In which of the following Indian states is the Lai Haraoba festival celebrated?
A) Goa
B) Karnataka
C) Manipur
D) Kerala
Answer: C) Manipur
Explanation: Lai Haraoba is a ritualistic festival of the Meiteis, observing the creation of the universe, reflecting the cultural heritage of Manipur. - One of the most important music forms of Uttarakhand, ____ was originally performed in royal courts.
A. Maand
B. Somar
C. Thadya
D. Baryi
Answer: C. Thadya
Explanation: One of the most important music forms of Uttarakhand is ‘Thadya’. It was originally performed in royal courts. This is a form of folk music that is sung by a group of singers, comprising both men and women. - What is Parsi New Year known as?
A. Ugadi
B. Navroz
C. Pateti
D. Puthandu
Answer: B. Navroz
Explanation: The Parsi New Year, also known as Navroz, is celebrated to mark the beginning of the Iranian calendar. The tradition began some 3000 years ago and is observed by the Parsi community around the world. The day is also known as Jamshed-i-Nowruz after the Persian King Jamshed, who introduced the Parsi calendar. - Vesak commemorates the birth of ______.
A. Christ
B. Mahavir
C. Judas
D. Buddha
Answer: D. Buddha
Explanation: Vesak, also known as Waisak Day, is celebrated annually in Indonesia on the full moon of May and commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. - Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, which falls in the ____ month of the Islamic calendar.
A. eighth
B. sixth
C. tenth
D. twelfth
Answer: C. tenth
Explanation: Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar. It marks the end of Ramadan. Muslims use a lunar calendar which differs in length from the Gregorian calendar used worldwide. - The festival of _____ is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine avatars.
A. Holi
B. Navratri
C. Diwali
D. Sankranti
Answer: B. Navratri
Explanation: The festival of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine avatars. It is a major festival held in honor of the divine feminine. Navratri occurs over 9 days during the month of Ashvin, with each day dedicated to the worship of 9 forms of the Goddess – Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri, and Durga. - The famous festival of ‘Tsokum Samai’ is celebrated by the people of which state to invoke blessings for a rich harvest?
A. Mizoram
B. Assam
C. Meghalaya
D. Nagaland
Answer: D. Nagaland
Explanation: The famous festival of ‘Tsokum Samai’ is celebrated by the people of Nagaland to invoke blessings for a rich harvest. The Tsokum Festival is a week-long festival celebrated in October, especially by the Khiamniungan Tribe in the Tuensang district of Nagaland. This pre-harvesting festival is marked by thanking God for good crops. - Paryushan is an important festival for the _____ community.
A. Buddhist
B. Jew
C. Jain
D. Zoroastrian
Answer: C. Jain
Explanation: Paryushan Parva is celebrated every year by the Jain community for spiritual upliftment and self-purification. It is an annual holy event usually celebrated in August or September. - Kanthuri Utsav is celebrated in which state of India?
A. Telangana
B. Tamil Nadu
C. Karnataka
D. Kerala
Answer: B. Tamil Nadu
Explanation: The Kanthuri Festival is held in commemoration of Saint Quadirwali in Tamil Nadu. - In which state is the Sarhul festival celebrated?
A. Gujarat
B. Chhattisgarh
C. Assam
D. Jharkhand
Answer: D. Jharkhand
Explanation: Sarhul is one of the most popular festivals celebrated across Jharkhand. ‘Sar’ refers to the year and ‘Hul’ means to set to begin. - In which state is the festival of Uttarayan uniquely celebrated?
A. Jharkhand
B. Uttar Pradesh
C. Kerala
D. Gujarat
Answer: D. Gujarat
Explanation: Uttarayan, known as Makar Sankranti in Gujarati, is a major festival in the state of Gujarat. It is celebrated over two days: 14 January as Uttarayan and 15 January as Vasi-Uttarayan (Stale Uttarayan). - One of the most important music forms of Uttarakhand, ____ was originally performed in royal courts.
A. Maand
B. Somar
C. Thadya
D. Baryi
Answer: C. Thadya
Explanation: One of the most important music forms of Uttarakhand is ‘Thadya’. It was originally performed in royal courts. This is a form of folk music that is sung by a group of singers, comprising both men and women. - What is Parsi New Year known as?
A. Ugadi
B. Navroz
C. Pateti
D. Puthandu
Answer: B. Navroz
Explanation: The Parsi New Year, also known as Navroz, is celebrated to mark the beginning of the Iranian calendar. The tradition began some 3000 years ago and is observed by the Parsi community around the world. The day is also known as Jamshed-i-Nowruz after the Persian King Jamshed, who introduced the Parsi calendar. - Vesak commemorates the birth of ______.
A. Christ
B. Mahavir
C. Judas
D. Buddha
Answer: D. Buddha
Explanation: Vesak, also known as Waisak Day, is celebrated annually in Indonesia on the full moon of May and commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. - Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, which falls in the ____ month of the Islamic calendar.
A. eighth
B. sixth
C. tenth
D. twelfth
Answer: C. tenth
Explanation: Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar. It marks the end of Ramadan. Muslims use a lunar calendar which differs in length from the Gregorian calendar used worldwide. - The festival of _____ is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine avatars.
A. Holi
B. Navratri
C. Diwali
D. Sankranti
Answer: B. Navratri
Explanation: The festival of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine avatars. It is a major festival held in honor of the divine feminine. Navratri occurs over 9 days during the month of Ashvin, with each day dedicated to the worship of 9 forms of the Goddess – Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri, and Durga. - The famous festival of ‘Tsokum Samai’ is celebrated by the people of which state to invoke blessings for a rich harvest?
A. Mizoram
B. Assam
C. Meghalaya
D. Nagaland
Answer: D. Nagaland
Explanation: The famous festival of ‘Tsokum Samai’ is celebrated by the people of Nagaland to invoke blessings for a rich harvest. The Tsokum Festival is a week-long festival celebrated in October, especially by the Khiamniungan Tribe in the Tuensang district of Nagaland. This pre-harvesting festival is marked by thanking God for good crops. - Paryushan is an important festival for the _____ community.
A. Buddhist
B. Jew
C. Jain
D. Zoroastrian
Answer: C. Jain
Explanation: Paryushan Parva is celebrated every year by the Jain community for spiritual upliftment and self-purification. It is an annual holy event usually celebrated in August or September. - Kanthuri Utsav is celebrated in which state of India?
A. Telangana
B. Tamil Nadu
C. Karnataka
D. Kerala
Answer: B. Tamil Nadu
Explanation: The Kanthuri Festival is held in commemoration of Saint Quadirwali in Tamil Nadu. - In which state is the Sarhul festival celebrated?
A. Gujarat
B. Chhattisgarh
C. Assam
D. Jharkhand
Answer: D. Jharkhand
Explanation: Sarhul is one of the most popular festivals celebrated across Jharkhand. ‘Sar’ refers to the year and ‘Hul’ means to set to begin. - In which state is the festival of Uttarayan uniquely celebrated?
A. Jharkhand
B. Uttar Pradesh
C. Kerala
D. Gujarat
Answer: D. Gujarat
Explanation: Uttarayan, known as Makar Sankranti in Gujarati, is a major festival in the state of Gujarat. It is celebrated over two days: 14 January as Uttarayan and 15 January as Vasi-Uttarayan (Stale Uttarayan).
