India is called the land of festivals because people in every state celebrate in their own way. Each festival has its own colors, music, food, and traditions. There are also religious events like the Kumbh Mela, and tribal festivals like Sarhul and Hornbill. These festivals show the rich culture of India and bring people together. They are connected to farming seasons, weather changes, religion, and history. To help students who are getting ready for exams like UPSC, SSC, State PSC, Railways, and others, here are some important multiple-choice questions on Indian festivals with answers.
Which festival celebrated in Kerala is famous for its grand boat races, elephant processions, and floral rangoli designs, marking the homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali?
a) Vishu
b) Onam
c) Pongal
d) Bihu
Answer: b) Onam
In which Indian state is the harvest festival Bihu celebrated, where people dance, sing, and enjoy feasts to mark the change of seasons?
a) Assam
b) Punjab
c) West Bengal
d) Odisha
Answer: a) Assam
Which festival of Punjab is associated with the harvesting of the rabi crop and is celebrated with bhangra, gidda, and traditional bonfires?
a) Vaisakhi
b) Lohri
c) Magh Mela
d) Teej
Answer: b) Lohri
Vaisakhi, which marks the harvest of wheat and the formation of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, is celebrated with great zeal in which state?
a) Punjab
b) Rajasthan
c) Bihar
d) Gujarat
Answer: a) Punjab
Pongal, a festival where newly harvested rice is boiled with milk and jaggery to thank the Sun God, is celebrated predominantly in which Indian state?
a) Kerala
b) Tamil Nadu
c) Karnataka
d) Andhra Pradesh
Answer: b) Tamil Nadu
Which harvest festival of Odisha is observed in honor of Goddess Earth and includes rituals of farmers worshipping cattle and agricultural tools?
a) Makar Sankranti
b) Nuakhai
c) Raja Parba
d) Nabanna
Answer: b) Nuakhai
Rath Yatra, in which the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are taken out on grand chariots, is an annual festival celebrated in which city?
a) Ujjain
b) Puri
c) Varanasi
d) Madurai
Answer: b) Puri
Which festival of West Bengal is marked by the worship of Goddess Durga with clay idols, cultural performances, and the immersion of idols in rivers on the last day?
a) Kali Puja
b) Durga Puja
c) Vishwakarma Puja
d) Saraswati Puja
Answer: b) Durga Puja
Kali Puja, celebrated mainly in West Bengal, coincides with Diwali in North India and is dedicated to which Hindu goddess?
a) Parvati
b) Kali
c) Lakshmi
d) Saraswati
Answer: b) Kali
Which Gujarati festival is known for its energetic garba and dandiya dances, celebrated during the nine nights of Navratri?
a) Gangaur
b) Makar Sankranti
c) Navratri
d) Bhavnath Fair
Answer: c) Navratri
Uttarayan, popularly known as the kite festival, is celebrated every year on Makar Sankranti with thousands of colorful kites in the sky. In which state is this festival most famous?
a) Gujarat
b) Rajasthan
c) Maharashtra
d) Haryana
Answer: a) Gujarat
Which festival celebrated in Maharashtra is associated with processions of Lord Ganesha idols, immersion in water, and cultural programs?
a) Holi
b) Ganesh Chaturthi
c) Diwali
d) Gudi Padwa
Answer: b) Ganesh Chaturthi
Gudi Padwa marks the traditional New Year for the Marathi people and the beginning of which Indian calendar?
a) Tamil Calendar
b) Saka Calendar
c) Vikram Samvat
d) Gregorian Calendar
Answer: c) Vikram Samvat
Which Goan festival, held before Lent, is characterized by colorful parades, floats, dance, and music in the streets?
a) Bonderam
b) Carnival
c) Shigmo
d) Sao Joao
Answer: b) Carnival
Shigmo, another major festival of Goa, is celebrated by farmers and rural communities with folk dances and music. What type of festival is it?
a) Harvest festival
b) Religious festival
c) Seasonal festival
d) Tribal festival
Answer: a) Harvest festival
Hornbill Festival, showcasing the culture of 16 Naga tribes with traditional dances, crafts, and food, is celebrated in which state?
a) Meghalaya
b) Nagaland
c) Manipur
d) Mizoram
Answer: b) Nagaland
Wangala, a post-harvest festival where drums called ‘Dama’ are played, is associated with which tribe of Meghalaya?
a) Khasi
b) Garo
c) Jaintia
d) Mizo
Answer: b) Garo
Chapchar Kut is one of the most important festivals of Mizoram, celebrated after clearing the forests for shifting cultivation. What type of festival is it?
a) Religious
b) Agricultural
c) Tribal New Year
d) Musical
Answer: b) Agricultural
Losar, the Tibetan New Year celebrated with great enthusiasm by the Buddhist community, is an important festival in which Indian region?
a) Ladakh
b) Arunachal Pradesh
c) Sikkim
d) Both a and c
Answer: d) Both a and c
Saga Dawa, a sacred Buddhist festival commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha, is celebrated in which state?
a) Himachal Pradesh
b) Sikkim
c) Arunachal Pradesh
d) Jammu & Kashmir
Answer: b) Sikkim
Which harvest festival celebrated in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana lasts for three days and includes rituals like Bhogi, Sankranti, and Kanuma?
a) Pongal
b) Makar Sankranti
c) Ugadi
d) Bathukamma
Answer: b) Makar Sankranti
Ugadi, marking the beginning of the New Year for Telugu and Kannada communities, is celebrated according to which calendar?
a) Vikram Samvat
b) Saka Calendar
c) Tamil Calendar
d) Gregorian Calendar
Answer: b) Saka Calendar
Bathukamma, a floral festival where women arrange seasonal flowers in beautiful stacks, is celebrated mainly in which state?
a) Karnataka
b) Telangana
c) Kerala
d) Tamil Nadu
Answer: b) Telangana
Which Himachali festival is associated with the worship of local deities and features colorful fairs, folk songs, and dances?
a) Minjar Mela
b) Kullu Dussehra
c) Phulaich
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Phulaich, also called the ‘Festival of Flowers,’ is celebrated by which community of Himachal Pradesh?
a) Kinnauri
b) Gaddi
c) Bhotiya
d) Dogra
Answer: a) Kinnauri
