- What is the first month of the lunar year called in Kullu and Bharmour area of Chamba, celebrated with singing and dancing?
A) Baishakhi
B) Chait (Dholru)
C) Haryali
D) Rakhi
Answer: B - How often are Navratras observed in Himachal Pradesh?
A) Once a year
B) Twice a year
C) Thrice a year
D) Every five years
Answer: B - Which sacred sites are mentioned where people take holy dips during Baishakhi celebrations?
A) Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mathura
B) Haridwar, Tatlapani, Banganga, Markanda
C) Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri
D) Pushkar, Ajmer, Dwarka
Answer: B - On which date is Haryali celebrated in Himachal Pradesh?
A) April 13th
B) July 16th (1st of Savan)
C) August 1st (1st of Bhadon)
D) September 5th
Answer: B - What is the belief associated with burning insects with cowdung balls on Haryali?
A) It brings good luck.
B) It keeps cattle free from insect scourges.
C) It purifies the air.
D) It symbolizes new beginnings.
Answer: B - On which day is Rakhi celebrated across Himachal Pradesh?
A) New Moon in Shrwan
B) Full Moon in Shrwan
C) First day of Bhadon
D) Last day of Savan
Answer: B - What is Chrewal also known as in some places?
A) Nag Pooja
B) Prithvi Pooja
C) Diwali Pooja
D) Holi Pooja
Answer: B - On which day of the moon’s bright phase in September is Nag Panchami celebrated?
A) 1st day
B) 3rd day
C) 5th day
D) 7th day
Answer: C - In which district is Phulech celebrated exclusively?
A) Kullu
B) Mandi
C) Kinnaur
D) Chamba
Answer: C - What is Sair considered by farmers in New Himachal?
A) A day of rest
B) The ‘sara-din’ (auspicious day)
C) A day for planting
D) A day for trade
Answer: B - What is the main attraction of the Jidi ed festival?
A) Animal fair
B) Masked dance
C) Agricultural exhibition
D) Folk music concert
Answer: B - What is Diwali locally known as in Himachal Pradesh?
A) Lossar
B) Magha Saaja
C) Diali or Bari Diali
D) Kaojala
Answer: C - In Lahaul, what is Diwali called?
A) Diali
B) Bari Diali
C) Kaojala
D) Halda
Answer: C - What is the significance of Magha Saaja?
A) New Year festival
B) Harvest festival
C) Continuation of the Diwali festival
D) Festival of lights
Answer: C - In which tribal belt is Lossar, the New Year festival, celebrated?
A) Kangra, Hamirpur, Una
B) Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan
C) Kinnaur, Lahaul, Spiti, and Tibetan communities
D) Mandi, Bilaspur, Chamba
Answer: C - For which occasion is the Gochi festival celebrated?
A) Birth of a girl child
B) Birth of a male child in the preceding year
C) Harvest season
D) Marriage ceremony
Answer: B - Why is Dushehra not celebrated by burning effigies of Ravana in Baijnath (Kangra)?
A) Due to lack of resources.
B) Due to a local belief that it incurs Lord Shiva’s wrath.
C) It is a modern tradition.
D) The town has no connection to the Ramayana.
Answer: B - How often are Bhunda, Shant, and Bhoj festivals celebrated?
A) Annually
B) Every five years
C) Approximately every twelve years or when sufficient funds are accumulated
D) Only once in a lifetime
Answer: C - What is the Halda Festival similar to?
A) Holi
B) Diwali
C) Rakhi
D) Baishakhi
Answer: B - What is the main purpose of individual contributions in the Gawala festival?
A) To fund community projects
B) To thank Lord Shiva for peace and calmness
C) To celebrate the harvest
D) To support local artists
Answer: B - What offerings are made at the Chintpurni Fair?
A) Flowers and fruits
B) Karnhu (sweet halwa prasad) and Chhattar
C) Grains and livestock
D) Clothes and jewelry
Answer: B - What is Gugga Fair associated with?
A) Sun worship
B) Snake cults
C) River deities
D) Mountain spirits
Answer: B - How often is the Jwalamukhi Fair held?
A) Once a year
B) Twice a year during Navratras
C) Every three years
D) Only when there is a special event
Answer: B - What two figures are remembered during the Panch Bhisham Festival?
A) Lord Rama and Sita
B) Lord Krishna and Radha
C) Tulsi and Lord Vishnu, and Guru Dronacharya
D) Lord Shiva and Parvati
Answer: C - What is unique about the language spoken by the inhabitants of Malana?
A) It is a dialect of Hindi.
B) It is intelligible to outsiders.
C) It is unintelligible to outsiders.
D) It is a mix of all Indian languages.
Answer: C - Which deity cults are derivatives of Shaivism and prominent in the Shimla hills?
A) Vishnu and Lakshmi
B) Brahma and Saraswati
C) Bhirdul (Shirgul), Bijat, and Mahasu Devtas
D) Rama and Hanuman
Answer: C