What's covered
Key facts
Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness.
Bathing in the Ganges is believed to cleanse sins.
Arti is the lamp ceremony that ends most pujas.
Darshan is the auspicious seeing of the deity.
Diwali's origin is Rama's return from exile after defeating Ravana.
Hindus traditionally cremate the dead by the Ganges.
Arti is the ceremony of waving a lighted lamp before the deity.
Most mandirs face east — the main sanctum and the deity image face east.
Small clay lamps called diyas are lit at Diwali.
The Ganges is the holiest river for Hindus.
Sample questions
A taste of the 40 questions in this topic — answers marked. Sign up to practise the full set with spaced repetition.
What does Diwali celebrate?
- •the arrival of springtime
- •the birth of Lord Krishna
- •the end of the harvest season
- ✓Victory of light over darkness
What is the Kumbh Mela?
- •A rite of passage for young Hindus
- •A week-long Hindu fasting period
- •An annual temple fire ceremony
- ✓Massive Hindu pilgrimage festival
What is puja?
- •Hindu funeral rite
- •Hindu pilgrimage journey
- •Hindu sacred scripture
- ✓Hindu worship ceremony
What is the inner shrine called?
- •A holy temple library
- •A small Hindu school room
- •A type of wedding hall
- ✓The garbhagriha (sanctum)
What does Holi celebrate?
- •Founding of the Khalsa
- •Light over darkness
- ✓Spring and new beginnings
- •Victory over the Mughals
How often is the Kumbh Mela festival held at each of its four sites?
- •Every four years
- •Every seven years
- ✓Every twelve years
- •Every twenty years
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