Art, Culture & Festivals — Set 12

Correct Answer: B. A woman's longing for her beloved

Kesariya Balam Aavo Ni Padharo Mhare Des is one of the most iconic folk songs of Rajasthan, describing a woman's longing for her beloved husband to return home. It is traditionally associated with the Maand singing style. The song has been popularized internationally by various artists and is often the welcome song for guests in Rajasthan.

Correct Answer: B. Lord Vishnu (four-armed form)

The Charbhuja Temple at Garhbor in Rajsamand district is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his four-armed (Chatur-bhuja) form. It is one of the most revered Vaishnavite temples in the Mewar region. The temple houses a black stone idol of Vishnu and attracts thousands of pilgrims.

Correct Answer: B. Gold lacquer painting on camel hide (Usta Kala)

The Usta (or Ustal) artisans of Bikaner are renowned for their gold lacquer painting (Usta Kala/Munawwat work) on camel hide and other surfaces. This art involves creating raised gold designs on leather, wood, and metal. The craft was brought to Bikaner from Multan and has been practiced for over 400 years.

Correct Answer: B. Mahi, Som, and Jakham

The Beneshwar Fair is held at the confluence of the Mahi, Som, and Jakham rivers in Dungarpur district. It is called the 'Kumbh of the Adivasis (tribals)' and is the largest tribal fair of Rajasthan. The fair is held on Magh Purnima and is attended primarily by the Bhil and Meena communities.

Correct Answer: B. A small hamlet of a few houses

A Dhani is a small hamlet or cluster of a few houses, typically belonging to an extended family, scattered in the rural landscape of Rajasthan. These settlements are common in the desert regions of Marwar and Shekhawati. The thatched circular huts (bhunga) with mud walls are designed to withstand extreme desert heat.

Correct Answer: B. Nagaur

The Tejaji Fair is held annually at Parbatsar in Nagaur district on Dashami (10th day) of the Bhadrapad Shukla paksha. Tejaji is a folk deity worshipped as the 'God of Snakes' and protector of cattle. The fair also features one of the largest cattle fairs in the state.

Correct Answer: B. Shekhawati

The Shekhawati region (covering Jhunjhunu, Sikar, and parts of Churu district) is known as the 'open-air art gallery' of Rajasthan due to its numerous painted havelis. The Marwari merchants who made fortunes in British India decorated their ancestral homes with elaborate frescoes. Towns like Mandawa, Fatehpur, Nawalgarh, and Ramgarh are famous for these painted mansions.

Correct Answer: B. Dilwara and Ranakpur Jain temples

The Maru-Gurjara (also called Maha-Maru) architectural style is a temple-building tradition of western India, prominently seen in the Dilwara Temples at Mount Abu and Ranakpur Jain Temple. This style is characterized by intricate marble carving, corbelled domes, and richly ornate interiors. It developed during the Solanki and Paramara dynasties.

Correct Answer: B. Pushkar

Malpua is a traditional fried pancake-like sweet that is particularly famous in Pushkar, where it is offered as prasad at the Brahma Temple. It is made from a batter of flour, milk, and sugar, deep-fried and soaked in sugar syrup. Pushkar's malpua served with rabri (thickened sweetened milk) is considered the best in Rajasthan.

Correct Answer: B. Self-immolation by women to avoid capture

Jauhar was the practice of mass self-immolation by Rajput women on a funeral pyre to protect their honor when defeat in battle was certain. The most famous Jauhar took place at Chittorgarh fort, which witnessed three Jauhars (1303, 1535, and 1568). It was considered the supreme act of honor and sacrifice.