Fairs & Festivals — Set 6

Correct Answer: A. Manipur

• **Manipur** = The 'Sangai Festival' is a major annual cultural event organized in this Indian state, named after its state animal. • **November** — the specific month in which the Sangai Festival is usually held every year, showcasing the state's potential in tourism and local handicrafts. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Mizoram: This state is known for festivals like Chapchar Kut; Tripura: Celebrates festivals such as Kharchi Puja and Garia Puja; Assam: Famous for its Bihu festivals (Bhogali, Rongali, and Kongali Bihu).

Correct Answer: C. Haryana

• **Haryana** = The 'Surajkund Crafts Mela', an international event promoting Indian handlooms and handicrafts, is held every February in this state. • **Faridabad district** — the specific location within Haryana where the Surajkund Mela is situated, drawing artisans from India and neighboring countries. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Delhi: While close, the Surajkund Mela is specifically located in Faridabad, Haryana, not within Delhi; Punjab: This state celebrates festivals like Baisakhi and Lohri; Rajasthan: Known for its own vibrant craft markets and traditional melas such as the Pushkar Mela.

Correct Answer: B. Chhath Puja

• **Chhath Puja** = This ancient festival, famously celebrated in Bihar, is a rigorous tribute to the Sun God (Surya Devta) and his sister, Shashti Devi. • **Sunrise and sunset** — rigorous rituals involving fasting and offering prayers at the riverbank are performed during these times. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Pongal: This is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in Tamil Nadu; Baisakhi: A harvest festival and New Year celebrated primarily in Punjab; Onam: A major harvest festival celebrated primarily in Kerala.

Correct Answer: A. UNESCO

• **UNESCO** = The 'Kumbh Mela', recognized for its massive scale and spiritual significance, is listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by this organization. • **2017** — the specific year when UNESCO inscribed the Kumbh Mela on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: World Bank: This is an international financial institution, not involved in recognizing cultural heritage; UNICEF: This organization focuses on child welfare and development, not cultural heritage; WHO: This organization is dedicated to international public health, not cultural heritage recognition.

Correct Answer: B. December

• **December** = The 'Hornbill Festival' of Nagaland, a significant cultural showcase, is celebrated every year in this month. • **December 1st** — the precise date when the Hornbill Festival commences annually, coinciding with Nagaland Statehood Day and lasting for ten days. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: August: This is typically a monsoon month and not when the Hornbill Festival is held; April: This month falls in the spring season, not the period for this festival; January: While a winter month, the Hornbill Festival begins and largely concludes in December.

Correct Answer: A. Vishu

• **Vishu** = This festival in Kerala marks the Malayalam New Year and is traditionally celebrated with the auspicious 'Vishukkani' arrangement. • **Mid-April** — the general timeframe when the Vishu festival typically falls, ushering in the Malayalam New Year. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Onam: A major harvest festival of Kerala, celebrated with elaborate feasts and snake boat races, but it does not mark the New Year; Thrissur Pooram: A renowned temple festival in Kerala known for its grand elephant parades and fireworks, not the New Year; Pongal: A harvest festival celebrated predominantly in Tamil Nadu, not Kerala.

Correct Answer: B. Gangaur

• **Gangaur** = Idols of 'Gauri' (Goddess Parvati) and 'Isar' (Lord Shiva) are devoutly worshipped during this prominent Rajasthani festival. • **18-day long** — the duration of this significant festival dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, celebrated with enthusiasm by women. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Pushkar Mela: A large camel and livestock fair held in Pushkar, not primarily a deity worship festival; Teej: Another important monsoon festival in Rajasthan dedicated to Goddess Parvati, but Gangaur is specifically for Gauri and Isar idols; Kite Festival: Celebrated around Makar Sankranti, primarily involving kite flying, not deity worship.

Correct Answer: D. Assam

• **Assam** = The harvest festival 'Bhogali Bihu', also known as Magh Bihu, is widely celebrated in this state. • **Three major Bihu festivals** — Bhogali Bihu is one of the three significant Bihu celebrations in Assam, marking the end of the harvesting season. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: West Bengal: This state celebrates festivals like Durga Puja and Poila Boishakh (Bengali New Year); Odisha: Known for its Rath Yatra and Raja Parba festivals; Meghalaya: Celebrates festivals such as Wangala, a harvest festival of the Garo tribe.

Correct Answer: D. Rajasthan

• **Rajasthan** = This state annually hosts the 'Desert Festival' in the city of Jaisalmer, showcasing its vibrant folk culture. • **Three-day long** — the duration of this festival, an extravaganza featuring camel races, turban tying, and cultural performances in Jaisalmer. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Madhya Pradesh: Known for its Khajuraho Dance Festival and Ujjain Kumbh Mela; Gujarat: While it has the Rann Utsav in Kutch, the specific 'Desert Festival' in Jaisalmer is in Rajasthan; Maharashtra: Celebrates festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi and traditional folk dances, but not the Jaisalmer Desert Festival.

Correct Answer: C. Puri

• **Puri** = The 'Rath Yatra' of Lord Jagannath, a world-famous chariot festival, is held in this holy city of Odisha. • **Thousands of devotees** — the immense number of people who participate in pulling the massive wooden chariots during the grand procession. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Ayodhya: This city is significantly associated with Lord Rama and his Ramlila celebrations, not the Rath Yatra of Jagannath; Varanasi: A holy city known for its Ganga Aarti and spiritual significance, but not the primary site for Jagannath's Rath Yatra; Mathura: This city is the birthplace of Lord Krishna and is famous for its Janmashtami celebrations.