Q1 As per the Hindu calendar, in which month is the festival of Holi celebrated?
A. Phalgun
B. Magh
C. Baisakh
A. Phalgun
Holi, a vibrant festival of colours, is celebrated on the full moon day during the month of Phalgun in the Hindu lunar calendar; it typically falls in February or March. Holi marks the end of winter and the arrival of the lively and colourful season of spring.
Q2 Which Hindu Gods are associated with the festival of Holi?
A. Shiva and Durga
B. Ganesha and Lakshmi
C. Vishnu and Krishna
C. Vishnu and Krishna
Holi is a celebration of victory of good over evil, symbolised by the legend of Prahlad and Holika where Prahlad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu, survives Holika's attempt to burn him. Holi also honours Lord Krishna, whose playful colouring of Radha and the Gopis signifies love and joy, which are also central themes of the festival.
Q3 What is the traditional sweet associated with Holi celebrations?
A. Ghevar
B. Gujiya
C. Gajar ka halwa
B. Gujiya
Gujiya is a delicious, deep-fried pastry filled with a mixture of sweetened khoya (milk solids), dried fruits and nuts.
Q4 What is the traditional drink associated with Holi?
A. Aam panna
B. Bhang
C. Sol kadi
B. Bhang
Bhang is made by grinding the leaves, buds and flowers of the female cannabis plant into a paste. It is traditionally consumed during Holi celebrations and is commonly enjoyed in drinks like thandai (a milk-based beverage) or pakoras (fritters). Its consumption is culturally accepted during the festival in many parts of India.
Q5 Which of these locations is famous for its unique week-long Holi celebrations?
A. Mumbai and Pune
B. Vrindavan and Mathura
C. Chennai and Bangalore
B. Vrindavan and Mathura
Vrindavan and Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna, celebrate Holi for up to a week. These celebrations are particularly famous for their traditional customs, temple festivities and connection to the Radha-Krishna story.
Q6 In which state is the famous Lathmar Holi celebrated?
A. Rajasthan
B. Uttar Pradesh
C. Bihar
B. Uttar Pradesh
Holi in Barsana and Nandgaon in Uttar Pradesh is particularly unique. Men from Nandgaon, Krishna's land, come to play Holi with the women of Barsana, the birthplace of Radha, hoping to raise their flag at Shri Radhikaji's temple. Instead of colours, they are playfully greeted with sticks by the Gopis, giving the festival its name -- Lathmar Holi. This tradition re-enacts a divine legend where Lord Krishna and his friends visited Barsana to tease Radha and the Gopis, who chased them away with sticks.
Q7 In which region of India is Holi celebrated for at least 16 days?
A. Braj
B. Saurashtra
C. Mewat
A. Braj
In Braj, which includes Barsana, Vrindavan, Nandgaon and Mathura, the Holi festivities last for 40 days as part of the Rangotsav, which kicks off on Basant Panchami and wraps up on Rang Panchami. What makes this celebration so special are the unique traditions -- from the playful Lathmar Holi and the beautiful Phoolon Ki Holi to the joyful Laddoo Holi and the energetic Huranga.
Q8 Rang Panchami is celebrated five days after Holi in which states?
A. Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand
B. Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh
C. Gujarat and Rajasthan
B. Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh
In Maharashtra and parts of Madhya Pradesh, Holi is celebrated as Rang Panchami, a unique tradition observed five days after Holi. People play with colours and gulal, offering it to deities. The red powder is thrown towards the sky, symbolising beauty, to please the gods and seek their blessings.
In some areas, palkhi (palanquin) processions are also held.
Q9 In West Bengal, what event is part of the Dol Jatra or Dol Purnima during Holi?
A. Lighting large bonfires
B. Fasting and prayer rituals
C. Processions carrying idols of Krishna and Radha
C. Processions carrying idols of Krishna and Radha
In West Bengal, Holi is celebrated as Dol Jatra, where idols of Radha and Krishna are placed in beautifully decorated palanquins and paraded through the streets. Devotees sing kirtans (devotional songs) and joyfully shower the deities with abir (brightly coloured powder), creating a vibrant and spiritual celebration.
Q10 Where is Abir Khela, one of the highlights of the Basant Utsav, famously celebrated?
A. Kolkata
B. Santiniketan
C. Siliguri
B. Santiniketan in West Bengal
In Santiniketan, founded by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, Holi is celebrated as Basant Utsav. The lively festival highlights the region's cultural heritage, uniting people from all backgrounds. The streets are filled with music, dance and the joyful tradition of Abir Khela, as both locals and visitors embrace the customs passed down through generations.
Q11 Which northeastern state celebrates Holi as a part of their Phagwah festival?
A. Meghalaya
B. Manipur
C. Sikkim
B. Manipur
The Yaosang or Phagwah festival is celebrated for five days in Manipur. The first evening begins with the Burning of the Straw Hut after which children go from house to house asking for nakatheng (money). On the next two days, girls go to their relatives for their nakatheng. On the last two day, people splash water on one another. Music, sports and delicious food are part of the celebration.
Q12 In modern times, what environmental concern has been raised about Holi celebrations?
A. Noise pollution from music and drums
B. Excessive water usage during water fights
C. Chemical dyes that can harm skin and pollute water
C. Chemical dyes that can harm skin and pollute water
A major environmental concern with modern Holi celebrations is the use of synthetic colours that contain harmful chemicals and heavy metals. Traditionally, colours were made from natural sources like plants and flowers but today synthetic dyes are commonly used, leading to skin irritations, allergies and water pollution. In response, there are growing efforts to promote eco-friendly, natural colours made from flowers and herbs.
Q13 Which musical instrument is traditionally associated with Holi celebrations?
A. Tabla
B. Dhol
C. Cymbals
B. Dhol
The dhol, a double-sided barrel drum, is traditionally played during Holi celebrations. Its rhythmic beats accompany the folk songs and dances that are an integral part of Holi festivities across north India.
Q14 In which ancient Hindu text is the earliest mention of Holi found?
A. Rishi Jaimini's Purva Mimamsa Sutras
B. Ramayana
C. Mahabharata
A. Rishi Jaimini's Purva Mimamsa Sutras
The earliest mention of Holi celebrations is found in Rishi Jaimini's Purva Mimamsa Sutras (300-200 BCE), an important ancient Hindu philosophical text. It refers to a ritual where coloured powders made from turmeric, kumkum and flowers were used, similar to later Holi practices.
Q15 Which of these countries also celebrates a festival similar to Holi?
A. Bangladesh
B. Nepal
C. Sri Lanka
B. Nepal
The Nepalese Holi celebration is called Fagu Purnima or Phaguwa.
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