Q91. The famous temple of Karni Mata, renowned worldwide for the multitude of rats roaming freely within its precincts, is located at:
Religious Life: Saints, Sects and Folk Deities: RAS Prelims MCQs
112 RAS Prelims MCQs on religious life in Rajasthan cover sects, saints, seats and philosophies. The Pushti Marg and Nathdwara, the Ramanandi seat at Galtaji, the Dadupanth, the Nath sampraday and the Nirguna tradition of Kabir are all part of the set, so learn each sect with its founder, its seat and its philosophy.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 91–100 of 112 questions
Q92. In the local tradition of the Karni Mata temple, spotting a white rat is considered highly auspicious. What are these rats locally called?
Explanation
White rats at the Karni Mata temple are called Kabas and are considered highly auspicious.
Q93. Karni Mata is revered as the patron deity (Kuldevi) of which royal dynasty of Rajasthan?
Explanation
Karni Mata is the Kuldevi of the Rathores of Bikaner.
Q94. What was the childhood name of Karni Mata before she became revered as an incarnation of Goddess Durga?
Explanation
Karni Mata’s childhood name was Ridhi Bai. She is revered as an incarnation of Durga.
Q95. Consider the following statements regarding Karni Mata:
I. She laid the foundation stone of the Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur.
II. She belonged to the Charan community, historically known as bards and poets.
III. She lived to a highly advanced age of over 150 years according to local belief.
IV. The temple at Deshnok has massive silver doors donated by Maharaja Ganga Singh.
V. She was a staunch advocate of human sacrifice to appease the Goddess.
Which of the above statements is/are the incorrect combination?
I. She laid the foundation stone of the Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur.
II. She belonged to the Charan community, historically known as bards and poets.
III. She lived to a highly advanced age of over 150 years according to local belief.
IV. The temple at Deshnok has massive silver doors donated by Maharaja Ganga Singh.
V. She was a staunch advocate of human sacrifice to appease the Goddess.
Which of the above statements is/are the incorrect combination?
Explanation
Karni Mata was a Charan, is said to have lived over 150 years and her temple has silver doors given by Maharaja Ganga Singh. She did not advocate human sacrifice, so V is incorrect.
Q96. The sacred grove or protected forest area surrounding the Karni Mata temple, where cutting of trees and hunting is strictly prohibited, is known as:
Explanation
The protected forest or sacred grove surrounding the Karni Mata temple is called an ‘Oran’. Within this area, the cutting of green trees and the hunting of animals are strictly forbidden by religious tradition. This practice has led to the preservation of local biodiversity in an otherwise arid region, illustrating how traditional religious beliefs in Rajasthan have historically contributed to environmental conservation and the protection of the natural landscape.
Q97. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| Kuldevi / Goddess | Associated Royal House / Community |
|---|---|
| A. Karni Mata | i. Sisodias of Mewar |
| B. Jamway Mata | ii. Kachhwahas of Jaipur |
| C. Baan Mata | iii. Chauhans of Sikar |
| D. Jeen Mata | iv. Rathores of Bikaner |
Explanation
Karni Mata is the patron goddess of the Rathores of Bikaner. Jamway Mata is revered by the Kachhwahas of Jaipur. Baan Mata is the Kuldevi of the Sisodia dynasty of Mewar. Jeen Mata is historically associated with the Chauhan Rajputs of the Sikar region. Each of these goddesses holds a central place in the religious and social identity of their respective royal houses and associated communities.
Q98. The ancient temple of Jeen Mata, deeply associated with the Shakti worship traditions of Shekhawati, is located in the district of:
Explanation
The ancient temple of Jeen Mata is located in the Sikar district of Rajasthan, nestled among the hills of the Aravalli range. This site has been a major center for Shakti worship for nearly a thousand years. The temple attracts large numbers of pilgrims, especially during the Navratri festivals, and is renowned for its spiritual atmosphere and the legends of the goddess’s protective powers over the local region.
Q99. Jeen Mata is historically revered as the Kuldevi (patron goddess) of which Rajput clan?
Explanation
Jeen Mata is the Kuldevi or patron goddess of the Chauhan Rajput clan. Her temple in Sikar features inscriptions that highlight the historical patronage received from various Chauhan rulers and chieftains. The clan holds her in the highest regard, seeking her protection during times of war and peace. Her worship is an integral part of the ancestral traditions and cultural identity of the Chauhans across Rajasthan and beyond.
Q100. According to local folklore, Jeen Mata performed severe penance on a mountain after a dispute with her sister-in-law. Her brother, who also became an ascetic and whose temple is located nearby, is named:
Explanation
According to local folklore, Jeen Mata’s brother was named Harsh. After a dispute, both siblings turned towards a life of asceticism. While Jeen Mata performed penance on one hill, Harsh became a devotee of Lord Shiva and meditated on a nearby peak. Today, the Harsh Nath temple, located on a mountain near the Jeen Mata shrine, is also a significant religious and historical site, attracting many devotees and tourists.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 91 | (b) Deshnok |
| 92 | (a) Kabas |
| 93 | (c) Rathores of Bikaner |
| 94 | (d) Ridhi Bai |
| 95 | (b) V only |
| 96 | (b) Oran |
| 97 | (a) A-iv, B-ii, C-i, D-iii |
| 98 | (c) Sikar |
| 99 | (a) Chauhan Rajputs |
| 100 | (d) Harsh |
Key facts from Religious Life: Saints, Sects and Folk Deities
- The Pushti Marg was founded by Vallabhacharya; its philosophy is Shuddhadvaita.
- The Shrinathji idol was brought to Mewar to escape Aurangzeb’s iconoclasm, and Maharana Raj Singh gave refuge.
- The Ashta Chhap are the eight poets of the Pushti Marg.
- Galtaji is the main seat of the Ramanandi sect in Rajasthan; Krishnadas Payahari established its Peeth.
- Dadu Dayal, called the Kabir of Rajasthan, had his main seat at Naraina.
- The Maha Mandir in Jodhpur, with 84 carved pillars, is a seat of the Nath sampraday.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Religious Life: Saints, Sects and Folk Deities?
This page has 112 practice MCQs on Religious Life: Saints, Sects and Folk Deities (Rajasthan History, Art and Culture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Who founded the Pushti Marg?
Vallabhacharya founded the Pushti Marg, whose philosophy is Shuddhadvaita. Pushti means the grace of God, and the sect holds that devotion and divine grace, not rigid ritual, lead to salvation. Its principal deity in Rajasthan is Shrinathji at Nathdwara.
Where is Dadu Dayal’s principal seat?
At Naraina (Narayana) in Rajasthan, where the Dadupanth has its main centre. Dadu Dayal is often called the Kabir of Rajasthan because he preached formless, nirguna devotion in the spirit of Kabir.
What are the Ashta Chhap?
The Ashta Chhap are the group of eight saint-poets associated with the Pushti Marg who composed devotional hymns for Shrinathji. Their songs became part of the daily worship of the sect and shaped the Braj devotional tradition.