Q 01/05

Which season does Holi, the Hindu festival of colours, welcome?

A) Spring

B) Monsoon

C) Winter

D) Autumn

Answer · why

A) Spring

Spring: Holi marks the end of winter, and for the day the usual rules of caste, class and age are set aside as everyone throws colour at everyone.

Q 02/05

What does the Holi saying 'Bura na mano, Holi hai' mean?

A) Don't be offended, it's Holi

B) Wake up, it's Holi

C) Come and eat, it's Holi

D) Wear white, it's Holi

Answer · why

A) Don't be offended, it's Holi

Don't be offended, it's Holi: people say it after drenching someone, since during the festival friends and even strangers are fair game for colour.

Q 03/05

Holi begins on the evening of the full moon in which month of the Hindu calendar?

A) Ashadha

B) Kartika

C) Phalguna

D) Shravana

Answer · why

C) Phalguna

Phalguna's full moon is when Holi's bonfires are lit, and the throwing of coloured powder and water follows the next morning.

Q 04/05

What is the bonfire ceremony held the night before Holi called?

A) Holi Milan

B) Holika Dahan

C) Dhulandi

D) Vasant Panchami

Answer · why

B) Holika Dahan

Holika Dahan, 'Holika's burning', sees people throw wood, grain or chickpeas into the bonfire as a way of letting go of negativity.

Q 05/05

Which boy devotee of Vishnu survived after his fire-immune aunt sat with him in a blazing fire?

A) Dhruva

B) Markandeya

C) Nachiketa

D) Prahlada

Answer · why

D) Prahlada

Prahlada kept praying to Vishnu and walked out unharmed while his aunt burned; tellings differ on why, from her fireproof shawl blowing onto him to he...