Question 1

The Hornbill Festival, also known as the 'Festival of Festivals', is celebrated in which Indian state?

Accepted Answer

Nagaland. The Hornbill Festival is organized by the State Government to encourage inter-tribal interaction. It takes place annually in the first week of December at Kisama Heritage Village. The festival is named after the Indian Hornbill bird, which is central to the state's folklore.

Question 2

Which fair held in Rajasthan is famous for being the world's largest cattle fair?

Accepted Answer

Pushkar Fair. The Pushkar Fair is a traditional trade event where thousands of camels and horses are traded. It coincides with the Hindu lunar month of Kartika, attracting pilgrims to the holy Pushkar Lake. It is one of the few places in India where a temple dedicated to Lord Brahma exists.

Question 3

Hemis Festival is celebrated in Ladakh to commemorate the birth anniversary of which spiritual leader?

Accepted Answer

Guru Padmasambhava. The Hemis Festival honors Lord Padmasambhava, who is believed to have introduced Tantric Buddhism to the Himalayan region. The main attraction is the masked dance known as 'Cham' performed by the monks. It is held at the Hemis Monastery, the wealthiest monastery in Ladakh.

Question 4

In which city is the famous 'Bali Yatra' organized to commemorate the ancient maritime history of Odisha?

Accepted Answer

Cuttack. Bali Yatra is held on the banks of the Mahanadi river in Cuttack to celebrate the day ancient sailors set sail for distant lands. The name literally means 'Voyage to Bali', referring to the trade links with Southeast Asia. It is considered one of the largest open-air fairs in Asia.

Question 5

The festival of 'Losoong', the Tibetan New Year, is primarily celebrated in which Indian state?

Accepted Answer

Sikkim. Losoong marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the New Year for the Bhutia and Lepcha tribes. Traditional dances like the Black Yak dance are performed to ward off evil spirits. It usually falls in the month of December according to the lunar calendar.

Fairs & Festivals — Set 1