Q101. The devotional folk song (Chirja) dedicated to Jeen Mata is notable in Rajasthani folk literature for being:
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 101–110 of 112 questions
Q102. Consider the following statements regarding the worship of Jeen Mata:
I. A grand fair is organized at her temple twice a year during the Chaitra and Ashvin Navratras.
II. Historically, there was a tradition of offering wine (Dhai Pyala Sharab) and animal sacrifice at the temple.
III. Emperor Aurangzeb allegedly tried to destroy the temple but was repelled by a swarm of bees sent by the Goddess.
Which of the above statements is/are the correct combination?
I. A grand fair is organized at her temple twice a year during the Chaitra and Ashvin Navratras.
II. Historically, there was a tradition of offering wine (Dhai Pyala Sharab) and animal sacrifice at the temple.
III. Emperor Aurangzeb allegedly tried to destroy the temple but was repelled by a swarm of bees sent by the Goddess.
Which of the above statements is/are the correct combination?
Explanation
Jeen Mata’s worship is characterized by major fairs during both annual Navratras. Historically, the ritual of offering wine and animal sacrifice was part of the local tradition. Furthermore, the legend of the goddess sending a swarm of bees to repel the army of Aurangzeb is a significant part of the temple’s history, symbolizing divine intervention and the protection of the sacred site from external threats.
Q103. The legend of ‘Bhanwarmata’ (Goddess of Bees) is associated with the historical defense of which temple against Mughal armies?
Explanation
The legend of ‘Bhanwarmata’ or the Goddess of Bees is specifically associated with the Jeen Mata Temple in Sikar.
Q104. Identify the incorrect statement regarding Jeen Mata.
Explanation
Jeen Mata has an eight-armed idol, a lamp said to burn continuously and a legend about Mughal oil for the lamp. She is not worshipped only by Jains, so A is incorrect.
Q105. Given below are two statements, one labeled as
Assertion (A) and the other labeled as Reason (R). Examine these two statements carefully and select the correct answer.
Assertion (A): The temple of Jeen Mata exhibits a blend of early medieval architectural styles.
Reason (R): Inscriptions found at the temple suggest that it was renovated and patronized by various local chieftains during the 11th and 12th centuries.
Assertion (A) and the other labeled as Reason (R). Examine these two statements carefully and select the correct answer.
Assertion (A): The temple of Jeen Mata exhibits a blend of early medieval architectural styles.
Reason (R): Inscriptions found at the temple suggest that it was renovated and patronized by various local chieftains during the 11th and 12th centuries.
Explanation
The Jeen Mata temple shows a blend of early medieval styles. Inscriptions suggest renovation by local chieftains in the 11th and 12th centuries, and this explains the blend.
Q106. The Dilwara Temples at Mount Abu, renowned for their intricate marble carvings, belong to which religious tradition?
Explanation
The Dilwara temples at Mount Abu are Jain temples, known for their marble carving.
Q107. The magnificent Chaumukha Temple at Ranakpur, known for its 1444 exquisitely carved pillars, is dedicated to which Jain Tirthankara?
Explanation
The Chaumukha temple at Ranakpur is dedicated to Adinatha (Rishabhanatha), the first Tirthankara.
Q108. Which of the following represents the correct chronological sequence of the construction of these prominent Jain temples in Rajasthan?
Explanation
Vimal Vasahi was built in the 11th century, Luna Vasahi in the 13th and the Ranakpur Chaumukha in the 15th. That is the correct order.
Q109. The Jain pilgrim center of Nakoda, situated in the Barmer district, is primarily famous for the miraculous idol of which deity alongside Parshvanatha?
Explanation
The Jain pilgrimage centre of Nakoda in Barmer is famous for Nakoda Bhairav, whose idol is worshipped along with the Tirthankara Parshvanatha.
Q110. Consider the following statements regarding the Dilwara Temples:
I. The Vimal Vasahi temple was built by Vimal Shah, a minister of the Chaulukya king Bhima I.
II. The Luna Vasahi temple is dedicated to the 22nd Tirthankara, Neminatha.
III. These temples are constructed using local red sandstone quarried from Mount Abu.
IV. The intricate ceilings of these temples feature ornate central pendants and concentric rings of carvings.
Which of the above statements is/are the correct combination?
I. The Vimal Vasahi temple was built by Vimal Shah, a minister of the Chaulukya king Bhima I.
II. The Luna Vasahi temple is dedicated to the 22nd Tirthankara, Neminatha.
III. These temples are constructed using local red sandstone quarried from Mount Abu.
IV. The intricate ceilings of these temples feature ornate central pendants and concentric rings of carvings.
Which of the above statements is/are the correct combination?
Explanation
Vimal Vasahi was built by Vimal Shah, minister of Bhima I, Luna Vasahi is dedicated to Neminatha and the ceilings have ornate pendants and concentric carvings. The temples are made of marble, not red sandstone, so III is wrong.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 101 | (b) The longest folk song of any deity in Rajasthan. |
| 102 | (d) I, II and III |
| 103 | (d) Jeen Mata Temple, Sikar |
| 104 | (a) Jeen Mata is exclusively worshipped by the Jain community of Rajasthan. |
| 105 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 106 | (b) Jainism |
| 107 | (a) Adinatha (Rishabhanatha) |
| 108 | (a) Vimal Vasahi (Dilwara) - Luna Vasahi (Dilwara) - Ranakpur Chaumukha |
| 109 | (d) Nakoda Bhairav |
| 110 | (a) I, II and IV |
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.