What's covered
Key facts
Festivals — Diwali and Holi
Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness.
Pilgrimage — Varanasi and the Kumbh Mela
Bathing in the Ganges is believed to cleanse sins.
Puja — Worship at Home and Temple
Arti is the ceremony of waving a lighted lamp before the deity.
The Hindu Temple (Mandir)
Darshan is the auspicious seeing of the deity.
Festivals — Diwali and Holi
Diwali's origin is Rama's return from exile after defeating Ravana.
Pilgrimage — Varanasi and the Kumbh Mela
Hindus traditionally cremate the dead by the Ganges.
Puja — Worship at Home and Temple
The light offering is the arti ceremony.
The Hindu Temple (Mandir)
Most mandirs face east — the main sanctum and the deity image face east.
Festivals — Diwali and Holi
Small clay lamps called diyas are lit at Diwali.
Pilgrimage — Varanasi and the Kumbh Mela
The Ganges is the holiest river for Hindus.
Sample questions
A taste of the 34 questions in this topic, answers marked. Sign up to practise the full set with spaced repetition.
What does Diwali celebrate?
- •the arrival of springtime
- •the birth of Lord Krishna
- •the end of the harvest season
- ✓Victory of light over darkness
What is the Kumbh Mela?
- •A rite of passage for young Hindus
- •A week-long Hindu fasting period
- •An annual temple fire ceremony
- ✓Massive Hindu pilgrimage festival
What is puja?
- •Hindu funeral rite
- •Hindu pilgrimage journey
- •Hindu sacred scripture
- ✓Hindu worship ceremony
What is the inner shrine called?
- •A holy temple library
- •A small Hindu school room
- •A type of wedding hall
- ✓The garbhagriha (sanctum)
What does Holi celebrate?
- •Founding of the Khalsa
- •Light over darkness
- ✓Spring and new beginnings
- •Victory over the Mughals
How often is the Kumbh Mela festival held at each of its four sites?
- •Every four years
- •Every seven years
- ✓Every twelve years
- •Every twenty years
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