A) Coastal Odisha
B) Southern Odisha
C) Western Odisha
D) Northern Odisha
Correct Answer: B) Southern Odisha
Explanation: Danda Nata is an ancient folk festival held in Southern Odisha, especially in Ganjam district. It involves devotional performances, penance, and street processions honoring Lord Shiva. The festival blends religion with folk art, showcasing community devotion and vibrant cultural expressions.
Explanation: Danda Nata is an ancient folk festival held in Southern Odisha, especially in Ganjam district. It involves devotional performances, penance, and street processions honoring Lord Shiva. The festival blends religion with folk art, showcasing community devotion and vibrant cultural expressions.
Q42) The festival “Prathamastami” is dedicated to which family member?
A) Youngest child
B) Eldest child
C) Married daughters
D) Parents
Correct Answer: B) Eldest child
Explanation: Prathamastami is a family-centric festival where prayers are offered for the long life and prosperity of the eldest child. Elders bless the child, and “Aida Pitha” is specially prepared. The festival highlights the importance of family structure and traditional Odia values.
Explanation: Prathamastami is a family-centric festival where prayers are offered for the long life and prosperity of the eldest child. Elders bless the child, and “Aida Pitha” is specially prepared. The festival highlights the importance of family structure and traditional Odia values.
Q43) Which festival is famous for tribal dance and music performances in Odisha?
A) Parab Festival
B) Raja Parba
C) Sital Sasthi
D) Chandan Yatra
Correct Answer: A) Parab Festival
Explanation: Parab Festival in Koraput showcases tribal culture through dance, music, and crafts. It preserves Odisha’s indigenous traditions and promotes cultural tourism. Folk competitions, handicraft exhibitions, and community performances make it a colorful festival, highlighting the artistic and cultural richness of Odisha’s tribal communities.
Explanation: Parab Festival in Koraput showcases tribal culture through dance, music, and crafts. It preserves Odisha’s indigenous traditions and promotes cultural tourism. Folk competitions, handicraft exhibitions, and community performances make it a colorful festival, highlighting the artistic and cultural richness of Odisha’s tribal communities.
Q44) Which Odisha festival is linked with Odia sailors sailing to Southeast Asia in ancient times?
A) Magha Saptami
B) Nuakhai
C) Bali Jatra
D) Prathamastami
Correct Answer: C) Bali Jatra
Explanation: Bali Jatra celebrates Odisha’s maritime history, commemorating the voyages of Sadhabas (sailors) to Bali and other Southeast Asian regions. People float symbolic boats on rivers, and a massive trade fair is organized in Cuttack. It symbolizes Odisha’s ancient global trade connections.
Explanation: Bali Jatra celebrates Odisha’s maritime history, commemorating the voyages of Sadhabas (sailors) to Bali and other Southeast Asian regions. People float symbolic boats on rivers, and a massive trade fair is organized in Cuttack. It symbolizes Odisha’s ancient global trade connections.
Q45) Which festival in Odisha coincides with Holi and involves playing with colors?
A) Raja Parba
B) Dola Purnima
C) Pana Sankranti
D) Sital Sasthi
Correct Answer: B) Dola Purnima
Explanation: Dola Purnima coincides with Holi, where idols of Radha-Krishna are placed on swings and taken in colorful processions. Devotees play with colors, sing devotional songs, and celebrate with joy. It represents love, devotion, and cultural vibrancy associated with Krishna’s divine play.
Explanation: Dola Purnima coincides with Holi, where idols of Radha-Krishna are placed on swings and taken in colorful processions. Devotees play with colors, sing devotional songs, and celebrate with joy. It represents love, devotion, and cultural vibrancy associated with Krishna’s divine play.
Q46) The famous “Khudurukuni Osha” is observed by whom in Odisha?
A) Married women
B) Farmers
C) Young unmarried girls
D) Priests
Correct Answer: C) Young unmarried girls
Explanation: Khudurukuni Osha is observed by young unmarried girls in Odisha on Sundays of the month of Bhadrab. They worship Goddess Mangala for the well-being of their brothers and future husbands. The festival highlights devotion, family bonds, and the aspirations of young women.
Explanation: Khudurukuni Osha is observed by young unmarried girls in Odisha on Sundays of the month of Bhadrab. They worship Goddess Mangala for the well-being of their brothers and future husbands. The festival highlights devotion, family bonds, and the aspirations of young women.
Q47) “Manabasa Gurubar” is observed in Odisha during which month?
A) Kartika (October–November)
B) Margasira (November–December)
C) Magha (January–February)
D) Baisakh (April–May)
Correct Answer: B) Margasira (November–December)
Explanation: Manabasa Gurubar is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and observed on Thursdays in the month of Margasira. Women decorate their houses with jhoti (rice paste art) and worship Lakshmi for prosperity. The festival emphasizes cleanliness, devotion, and wealth in household life.
Explanation: Manabasa Gurubar is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and observed on Thursdays in the month of Margasira. Women decorate their houses with jhoti (rice paste art) and worship Lakshmi for prosperity. The festival emphasizes cleanliness, devotion, and wealth in household life.
Q48) Which festival celebrates Lord Jagannath’s symbolic birthday?
A) Snana Yatra
B) Ratha Yatra
C) Chandan Yatra
D) Anavasara
Correct Answer: A) Snana Yatra
Explanation: Snana Yatra is the bathing festival of Lord Jagannath, considered His symbolic birthday. The idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are brought out and bathed with 108 pots of water. It is believed that devotees earn merit by witnessing this sacred bathing ritual.
Explanation: Snana Yatra is the bathing festival of Lord Jagannath, considered His symbolic birthday. The idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are brought out and bathed with 108 pots of water. It is believed that devotees earn merit by witnessing this sacred bathing ritual.
Q49) Which Odisha festival is celebrated by fasting and worship of Goddess Durga’s incarnation for children’s welfare?
A) Khudurukuni Osha
B) Kumar Purnima
C) Manabasa Gurubar
D) Raja Parba
Correct Answer: A) Khudurukuni Osha
Explanation: Khudurukuni Osha is observed by girls who fast and worship Goddess Mangala (a form of Durga) for the safety and well-being of their brothers and future husbands. The rituals include prayers, folk songs, and offerings, reflecting Odisha’s unique blend of devotion and family values.
Explanation: Khudurukuni Osha is observed by girls who fast and worship Goddess Mangala (a form of Durga) for the safety and well-being of their brothers and future husbands. The rituals include prayers, folk songs, and offerings, reflecting Odisha’s unique blend of devotion and family values.
Q50) Which is the harvest festival of Western Odisha, marking the first eating of new rice?
A) Raja Parba
B) Nuakhai
C) Makar Mela
D) Pana Sankranti
Correct Answer: B) Nuakhai
Explanation: Nuakhai is the most prominent festival of Western Odisha. Farmers offer the newly harvested rice to their household deity before eating it. Families gather, share meals, and celebrate unity. The festival reflects Odisha’s strong agrarian traditions and reverence for nature and agriculture.
Explanation: Nuakhai is the most prominent festival of Western Odisha. Farmers offer the newly harvested rice to their household deity before eating it. Families gather, share meals, and celebrate unity. The festival reflects Odisha’s strong agrarian traditions and reverence for nature and agriculture.
Odisha’s festivals showcase its vibrant culture and traditions. For competitive exams, questions related to Rath Yatra, Nuakhai, Raja Parba, Chhau Dance Festival, and Durga Puja in Odisha are often asked. We hope this set of GK questions helps in your preparation.
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