The Ultimate Diwali quiz

By Rām Lingam

Shubh Deepāvali to you and your family. Deepāvali or Diwali ~ the Hindu festival of lights
brings to our mind images of diyas, sweets, puja, colourful lights, fire crackers, feasting,
new purchases, socializing and lots of fun. Here is a little quiz to remind ourselves about
Diwali and the origins that makes Diwali the most popular festival of India. Test your
Diwali Quotient with just 15 questions. Be ready for some curly questions too and for
every right answer treat yourself or your family/friend with something special. Answers
are provided at the bottom of the quiz.

1. Diwali is the shortened version of Deepāvali. What does the word Deepāvali actually mean?
A. Row of lighted lamps
B. Festival of lights
C. Circle of lights
D. Light of life

2. There is no public holiday for Diwali in which of the following countries?

A. Singapore
B. Thāiland
C. Trinidad & Tobago
D. Fiji

3. Diwali commemorates the spiritual enlightenment of which two famous saints?

A. Lord Vardhaman Mahāveer and Swami Dayānanda Saraswati
B. Rāmakrishna Paramahansa and Chaitanya Mahāprabhu
C. Swami Vivekānanda and Ādi Shankara
D. Sant Tukārām and Sri Aurobindo

4. Which two historical icons of India does the festival celebrate the return of?
A. Krishna and Rukhmani
B. King Krishnadeva Rāya
C. Lord Rām and Sitā
D. Rāja Rāja Chola

5. What other religious groups celebrate Diwali in India, apart from Hindus?
A. Pārsis and Bahāis
B. Jains and Sikhs
C. Taoists and Shamans
D. Buddhists and Jains

6. What do the Sikhs commonly call Diwali?

A. Baisakhi
B. Bandi Chhor Divas
C. Hola Mohalla

7. "Thalai Deepavali" is a unique Diwali custom of which Indian state?

A. Assam
B. Kerala
C. Karnataka
D. Tamil Nādu

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8. To whom did Lord Yama explain on the Diwali Amāvāsya (New Moon day) in the Katha
Upanishad about the highest wisdom to enlightenment?
A. Nārad
B. Yudishtra
C. Nachiketas
D. Mārkandeya

9. For how many days Diwali is celebrated according to the lunar Hindu calendar?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Five

10. What is the first day of Diwali season called?

A. Dhanteras
B. Diwali
C. Laxmi Puja
D. Naraka Chaturdashi

11. In which country is Diwali celebrated and referred to as ‘Tihar’ or ‘Swanti’?

A. Thāiland
B. Nepāl
C. Sri Lankā
D. Cambodia

12. Which town in Tamil Nadu is known to make eight out of every 10 crackers in India and has
recently employed 40 or so Firecracker consultants from China?
A. Tanjāvur
B. Madurai
C. Sivakāsi
D. Tirunelveli

13. What event from Ramayana does Diwali symbolise?

A. The birth of Lord Rām
B. The return of Rām & Sita to Ayodhya after 14 years
C. The killing of Rāvan by Rām
D. The breaking of the bow by Lord Rām

14. Diwali also commemorates the killing of which evil king by Lord Krishna
A. Kamsa
B. Narakāsura
C. Hiranyakashipu
D. Pootana

15. Jains celebrate Diwali because

A. Lord Mahāveer was born
B. Lord Mahāveer attained to nirvana
C. Jain New Year starts
D. Jain pilgrimage begins on this day

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Answers
1-A, 2-B, 3-A, 4-C, 5-B, 6-B, 7-D, 8-C, 9-D, 10-A, 11-B, 12-C, 13-B, 14-B, 15-B

Diwali greetings
May the light of the lamp burn brightly in our hearts on this holy occasion of Diwali!
|| Om asato ma sat gamaya |
Tamaso ma jothir gamaya |
Mrityor ma amritam gamaya |
Om shanti shanti shanti ||

In the words of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, the true significance of Diwali is beautifully
summarized as: "The night is black. Kindle the lamp of love with thy life and devotion."



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