1. Which among the following Mudra is the gesture of Buddha as depicted in his first sermon?
[A] Abhaya Mudra
[B] Dhyana Mudra
[C] Dharmachakra Mudra
[D] Bhumisparsa Mudra
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Correct Answer: C [ Dharmachakra Mudra ]
Notes:
The sermon Buddha gave to the five monks was his first sermon, called the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. The Seated Buddha from Gandhara is an early statue of the Buddha made in Gandhara, in modern Pakistan, in the 2nd or 3rd century The pose, which was to become one of a number of standard ones, shows Buddha as a teacher setting the wheel of Dharma in motion (Dharmachakra Mudra). Buddha did this following his enlightenment and after delivering his first sermon at the deer park at Sarnath near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.
2. One of the incarnations of Vishnu is represented in art as raising the Earth from the Ocean. Identify Him from the given options:
[A] Kumara
[B] Varaha
[C] Matsya
[D] Nrisingha
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Correct Answer: B [Varaha]
Notes:
Varaha Avatar, the third incarnation among the 10 Dashavatara of Lord Vishnu, is in the form of a Boar. In his third incarnation, Lord Vishnu as Varaha saved the earth from demon Hiranyaksha, thus saving the mankind.
3. Dappu Dance is a famous dance form of which among the following states?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Assam
[C] Gujarath
[D] Andhra Pradesh
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Correct Answer: D [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
Dappu Dance belongs to Andhra Pradesh.The Dappu is made of goatskin, a tambourine-like drum is beaten with sticks creating a rhythm that is softened only by the ankle bells that the 16 to 20 dancers wear.
4. In which city is the dargah (tomb) of sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti located ?
[A] Delhi
[B] Ghaziabad
[C] Ajmer
[D] Gwalior
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Correct Answer: C [Ajmer]
Notes:
Ajmer Sharif Dargah is a sufi shrine of the sufi saint, Moinuddin Chishti, located at Ajmer, Rajasthan. He was born in Sanjar. He is considered as the founder of the Chisti order of Sufism.
5. Sant Kabir Award has been launched for the people who are related to ___?
[A] Cotton Textile Industry
[B] Woolen Industry
[C] Handloom Industry
[D] Village Industries
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Correct Answer: C [Handloom Industry]
Notes:
The Sant Kabir Award is conferred by Government of India every year on outstanding weavers who have made valuable contribution in keeping alive the handloom heritage and also for dedication in building up linkages between the past, present and future through dissemination of knowledge on traditional skills and designs.
6. After a defeat in prolonged debate on Vedic philosophies, who among the following is known to have become disciple of Adi Sankara and later became first head of Sringeri Mutt?
[A] Hastamalaka
[B] Totakacharya
[C] Padmapada
[D] Madana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Madana]
Notes:
Madana Misra was defeated in a debate by his contemporary ,Adi Shankara. He is said to have become a disciple of Adi Sankara. Maṇḍana Miśra’s wife was Ubhaya Bharati.
7. Bohag Bihu is a festival in North East India, mainly in the state of ____?
[A] Assam
[B] Manipur
[C] Meghalaya
[D] Tripura
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Assam]
Notes:
Bihu is the name of the biggest festival of the Assam. The people in Assam celebrate three Bihus as follows:
Bohag Bihu: In mid-April, this is the largest festival and also the state festival of Assam. Related to spring season. It is also known as Rongali Bihu. This festival celebrates the onset of the Assamese New Year and the coming of Spring. It continues for seven days which is called Haat Bihu ( Saat (seven) for Hindi). These are called Chot Bihu, Goru Bihu, Manuh Bihu, Kutum Bihu, Senehi Bihu, Mela Bihu and Chera Bihu
8. In which Indian state are 838 temples of a distinctive faith located on a single mountain?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Gujarat
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gujarat]
Notes:
The state of Gujarat, specifically in the city of Palitana, holds a remarkable distinction of having 838 Jain temples located on a single mountain. Jainism, one of the oldest religions in the world, has a strong community still in India. These temples are a major pilgrimage site for Jains and are a testament to the architectural prowess of ancient artisans.
9. At which of the following places a Farm Radio was established as a Joint venture between All India Radio and UNESCO in 1956 for the purpose of broadcasting programmes related to agriculture?
[A] Mumbai
[B] Nagpur
[C] Hyderabad
[D] Pune
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Pune]
Notes:
The correct answer is Pune. In 1956, a Farm Radio was established in Pune as a joint venture between All India Radio and UNESCO. This initiative aimed to disseminate agricultural knowledge and practices to farmers, enhancing rural development. Pune was chosen due to its proximity to agricultural research institutions, making it an ideal location for such educational broadcasts.
10. In which of the following states of India , a festival called Chapchar Kut is celebrated in March ?
[A] Assam
[B] Mizoram
[C] Karnataka
[D] Sikkim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mizoram]
Notes:
The Chapchar Kut is a festival of Mizoram, India. It is celebrated during March after completion of their most arduous task of jhum operation i.e., jungle-clearing (clearing of the remnants of burning). It is a spring festival celebrated with great favour and gaiety.