Fairs & Festivals — Set 5

Correct Answer: C. Shillong

• **Shillong** = The Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual autumn event held in this Himalayan city. • **autumn blooming** — The festival celebrates the unique autumn blooming of Himalayan Cherry Blossoms in and around Shillong. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Dharamshala]: Dharamshala is known for its Tibetan culture; [Shimla]: Shimla is a popular hill station but not primarily for a cherry blossom festival; [Gangtok]: Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim and known for Buddhist monasteries and festivals.

Correct Answer: A. Holi

• **Holi** = The Yaoshang festival is the Manipuri version of this major Indian festival, sharing similarities in playing with colors. • **five days** — Yaoshang is celebrated for five days and includes the Thabal Chongba, a traditional Manipuri folk dance. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Diwali]: Diwali is a festival of lights, distinct from Yaoshang; [Navratri]: Navratri is a nine-night festival dedicated to Goddess Durga; [Raksha Bandhan]: Raksha Bandhan celebrates the bond between siblings.

Correct Answer: B. Maharashtra

• **Maharashtra** = The Pola festival is celebrated by farmers in this state to thank bullocks for their hard work. • **Pithori Amavasya** — Pola is celebrated on the new moon day (Pithori Amavasya) in the month of Shravan. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Haryana]: Haryana celebrates festivals like Lohri and Teej; [Gujarat]: Gujarat is known for Navratri and Tarnetar Mela; [Rajasthan]: Rajasthan has festivals like Gangaur and Pushkar Fair.

Correct Answer: B. Nagaland

• **Nagaland** = The Moatsu Mong festival is a celebration of community bonding observed by the Ao Naga tribe in this state. • **first week of May** — Moatsu is celebrated in the first week of May after the sowing is done in the fields. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Assam]: Assam is known for Bihu festivals; [Arunachal Pradesh]: Arunachal Pradesh celebrates Mopin and Solung; [Manipur]: Manipur celebrates Yaoshang and Lui-Ngai-Ni.

Correct Answer: B. Punjab

• **Punjab** = The Baisakhi festival is primarily celebrated as a harvest festival in this northern state. • **1699** — Baisakhi commemorates the formation of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh in this year. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Rajasthan]: Rajasthan celebrates festivals like Gangaur and Teej; [Uttar Pradesh]: Uttar Pradesh is known for Diwali and Kumbh Mela; [Himachal Pradesh]: Himachal Pradesh celebrates festivals like Kullu Dussehra.

Correct Answer: A. Navratri

• **Navratri** = This Hindu festival spans nine nights, celebrating Goddess Durga and is famous for vibrant Garba and Dandiya Raas dances. • **Nine nights** — energetic Garba and Dandiya Raas dances are performed in circles around a lighted lamp or an image of the Goddess. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Rann Utsav: This is a desert festival in Kutch, focused on showcasing the region's culture and crafts, not primarily a dance festival; Uttarayan: This is the kite festival of Gujarat, celebrated around Makar Sankranti; Janmashtami: This festival celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna and is not primarily associated with Garba dances.

Correct Answer: A. Arunachal Pradesh

• **Arunachal Pradesh** = The 'Losar' festival, marking the Tibetan New Year, is notably celebrated by the Monpa tribe in this state. • **Tawang and West Kameng districts** — these specific districts in Arunachal Pradesh are prominent centers for the joyful celebration of Losar. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Mizoram: This state celebrates festivals like Chapchar Kut, not Losar as its primary New Year; Sikkim: While Losar is celebrated here, the question specifically highlights the Monpa tribe, which is largely found in Arunachal Pradesh; Tripura: This state is known for festivals such as Kharchi Puja and Garia Puja, not Losar.

Correct Answer: B. Madhya Pradesh

• **Madhya Pradesh** = The 'Khajuraho Dance Festival' is annually organized in this state to promote classical Indian dances. • **UNESCO World Heritage site** — the magnificent Khajuraho temples, a World Heritage site, serve as the iconic backdrop for this dance festival. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Uttar Pradesh: This state is known for other major festivals like parts of Kumbh Mela and Ramlila; Rajasthan: Known for its own vibrant cultural festivals such as Pushkar Mela and Gangaur; Maharashtra: Celebrates festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi and has its own folk dance traditions like Lavani, but not the Khajuraho Dance Festival.

Correct Answer: A. Uttarakhand

• **Uttarakhand** = The 'Harela' festival, which signifies the arrival of the monsoon and new sowing season, is celebrated in this hilly state. • **'Day of Green'** — the literal meaning of Harela, symbolizing the onset of the new agricultural sowing season in the Kumaon region. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Sikkim: This state has festivals like Saga Dawa and Losar, but not Harela; Meghalaya: Known for festivals such as Wangala and Shad Suk Mynsiem; Himachal Pradesh: Celebrates its own unique festivals like Kullu Dussehra and Shivratri, but Harela is specific to Uttarakhand.

Correct Answer: A. Sindhu Darshan

• **Sindhu Darshan** = This Ladakh festival is dedicated to the Indus River, although traditional boat races similar to those in the south are not a native practice in the region. • **High-altitude desert** — Ladakh's unique geography and environment primarily support land-based cultural activities like polo and archery, rather than large-scale boat races. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Hemis: This is a famous monastic festival in Ladakh, renowned for its masked dances, not associated with water-based events; Losar: This festival marks the Tibetan New Year and is focused on cultural rituals and celebrations, not river-related activities; None of the mentioned: While traditional boat races are not a feature, Sindhu Darshan is the only listed festival that specifically celebrates the region's main river.