Indian Culture MCQs

Notes:
Tawang monastery is the largest of its kind in the country and is one of the largest monasteries in Asia. It is said to be one of the biggest Buddhist monasteries in the world outside of Lhasa, Tibet. It is also known by another Tibetan name, ‘Galden Namgey Lhatse’, which means ‘celestial paradise in a clear night’.

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The architecture of the temples at Belur, Halebidu, and Somanathpura epitomizes the Vesara style of Temple Architecture. This style is a unique blend of two major architectural styles – Nagara, native to North India, and Dravida, native to South India. The Vesara style is thus considered a hybrid form, authentic to regions where the influence of these two styles intersect, showing a confluence of northern and southern architectural traditions. This fusion style notably exhibits intricate detailing and complex designs, reflecting the sophisticated craftsmanship of the era.

Notes:
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, Feast of Dedication, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire of the 2nd century BCE. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar.

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The Ganga Sagar Mela is a religious festival and second biggest fair of India after Kumbha Mela of India celebrated on Sagardwip (Sagar Island) in West Bengal state of India. The fair is a six-day fair held in the month of January and on the day of Makar Sankranti, a ritual of pilgrims taking bath in holy water and visiting nearby famous Kapil Muni Temple is performed.

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Ashtadhyayi is a sanskrit treatise on grammar. It was written in the 6th to 5th century bce by the Indian grammarian Panini.
The Mahābhāsya is attributed to Patañjali, is a commentary on selected rules of Sanskrit grammar from Paṇini’s treatise. It is dated to the 2nd century BCE.
Nirukta means “explained, interpreted” and refers to one of the six ancient Vedangas. Nirukta covers etymology, and is the study concerned with correct interpretation of Sanskrit words in the Vedas.

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Konark Sun Temple, Orissa was called as “The Black Pagoda” by the Europeans. The temple is attributed to king Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty about 1250 CE.

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Yakshagana, a distinct Indian theatre form, is predominantly seen and cultivated in the Karnataka state, more specifically in districts like Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Shimoga and the western parts of Chikmagalur. This art form, characterized by a unique amalgamation of dance, music, dialogue, costume, make-up, and stage techniques, has also found its way to Kasaragod district in Kerala, further underlining its appeal and influence.

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Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) covers an area of 10,400 sq km around the Taj Mahal. Its objective is to protect the monument from pollution.

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The Kathasaritsagar ( or Ocean of the Streams of Stories) is a famous 11th-century collection of Indian legends, fairy tales and folk tales as retold in Sanskrit by Somadeva, a Shaiva Brahmin.

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The 11th century Sufi saint, Khwaja Al Hujuiri ( also known as Data Ganj Baksh) was the author of the celebrated manual on Sufism entitled “Kashful Mahjub”.