Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires: RAS Prelims MCQs
98 RAS Prelims MCQs on social life in Rajasthan test fairs and their months, festivals and their meaning, rituals and traditional dress. Pushkar, Nagaur, Baneshwar, Teej, Gangaur and the Holi traditions are asked with their places, communities and customs, so keep each fair paired with its month, its district and what is traded or worshipped.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 21–30 of 98 questions
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q21. Consider the following festivals of Rajasthan and arrange them in chronological order of their typical occurrence according to the Gregorian calendar: A. Desert Festival, Jaisalmer B. Elephant Festival, Jaipur C. Pushkar Fair, Ajmer Select the correct code:
Explanation
Tourism festivals in Rajasthan follow a seasonal schedule within the Gregorian calendar. The Desert Festival in Jaisalmer typically occurs in February. This is followed by the Elephant Festival in Jaipur, held during March around the time of Holi. The Pushkar Fair usually takes place in late October or November, depending on the lunar month of Kartik and the specific full moon day.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q22. The Elephant Festival of Jaipur is traditionally celebrated on the eve of which major Hindu festival?
Explanation
The Elephant Festival of Jaipur is a grand annual celebration that takes place on the eve of Holi, the festival of colors. It highlights the historical and cultural significance of elephants in the Rajput tradition. The event features decorated elephants, folk dances, and various games, serving as a vibrant prelude to the national festivities of Holi in the state capital.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q23. Consider the following statements about the Elephant Festival of Jaipur: I. It features elephant races and elephant polo matches. II. The elephants are decorated with floral motifs, and riders wear vibrant traditional attire. III. It takes place at the Sam Sand Dunes. IV. A tug-of-war between an elephant and a group of humans is a highlight. Which of the above combinations of statements is incorrect?
Explanation
The Elephant Festival in Jaipur includes events like elephant races, polo matches, and tug-of-war competitions. The animals are beautifully decorated with traditional motifs. However, the claim that it takes place at the Sam Sand Dunes is incorrect. The Sam Sand Dunes are located in Jaisalmer and serve as the venue for the Desert Festival, while the Elephant Festival occurs in Jaipur.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q24. Consider the following statements: Statement I: The Desert Festival concludes on a full moon day against the backdrop of the Sam Sand Dunes. Statement II: The Elephant Festival was historically initiated by the British to celebrate the birthday of Queen Victoria. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Desert Festival concludes with grand celebrations on a full moon day at the Sam Sand Dunes near Jaisalmer. However, the Elephant Festival of Jaipur was not initiated by the British to celebrate Queen Victoria. Instead, it was developed by the state’s tourism department to showcase the traditional royal heritage and the historical importance of elephants in the Jaipur princely state.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q25. Which of the following pairs of Festival and its corresponding Location is incorrectly matched?
Explanation
Most tourism festivals are correctly associated with their host cities, such as the Marwar Festival in Jodhpur and the Mewar Festival in Udaipur. The Desert Festival is famously held in Jaisalmer. However, the Elephant Festival is traditionally hosted in Jaipur, not Bikaner. Bikaner is instead well-known for hosting the Camel Festival, which celebrates the desert’s most iconic animal and its utility.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q26. Which of the following activities is an exception and generally NOT a part of the official Desert Festival itinerary?
Explanation
The Desert Festival itinerary includes cultural performances like Gair and Fire dances, turban tying competitions, and chariot races. However, deep immersion in a local river is not part of the event. Jaisalmer is located in an extremely arid region where permanent rivers are absent. Such water-based rituals are instead typical of festivals like the Pushkar Fair or the Baneshwar Fair.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q27. The resurgence of traditional performing arts in Rajasthan during events like the Desert Festival is a direct effect of:
Explanation
The resurgence of traditional performing arts in events like the Desert Festival is a direct result of state-sponsored patronage. By integrating folk arts into the tourism economy, the Rajasthan government provides artists with a sustainable platform and financial incentives. This approach ensures the preservation of ancient cultural traditions while simultaneously enhancing the state’s appeal as a premier destination for global travelers.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q28. Consider the following statements regarding Teej in Rajasthan: I. Hariyali Teej is celebrated in the month of Shravan. II. Kajli Teej (Badi Teej) is celebrated in the month of Bhadrapada. III. Bundi is famous for its grand Kajli Teej procession. IV. Teej primarily celebrates the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. V. Fasting by women on this day is believed to ensure the long life of their husbands. Which of the above combinations of statements is correct?
Explanation
Teej is a multifaceted festival in Rajasthan with several significant variations. Hariyali Teej occurs in Shravan, while Kajli Teej is celebrated in Bhadrapada, especially in Bundi. The festival honors the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Women observe fasts for their husbands’ longevity and participate in various customs, reflecting the deep social and religious importance of the occasion.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q29. The festival of Teej heralds the arrival of which season in Rajasthan?
Explanation
The festival of Teej, particularly Hariyali Teej, is celebrated in the Hindu month of Shravan. It marks the arrival of the monsoon season in the arid landscape of Rajasthan. The festival celebrates the rejuvenation of nature, with the rains bringing relief from the summer heat and turning the surroundings green, which is why women traditionally wear green-colored attire during the festivities.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q30. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the customs of Teej:
Explanation
Teej is a joyful festival where women wear vibrant Lehariya sarees, enjoy sweets like Ghevar, and play on decorated swings. It is common for married women to visit their maternal homes, but this is done to celebrate the festival and participate in the happy community rituals, not for mourning. The occasion emphasizes marital bliss, connection with nature, and strong familial bonds.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
21
(a) A, B, C
22
(b) Holi
23
(a) III only
24
(c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
25
(d) Elephant Festival - Bikaner
26
(c) Deep immersion in the local river
27
(d) State-sponsored patronage to integrate folk arts into the tourism economy
28
(a) I, II, III, IV, and V
29
(c) Monsoon
30
(a) Married women visit their maternal homes exclusively to mourn ancestors.
Key facts from Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
The Pushkar Fair is held in the month of Kartik around Purnima, with a holy bath in Pushkar Lake.
The Ramdev Cattle Fair of Nagaur is famous for Nagauri bullocks.
The Baneshwar fair, a Bhil tribal fair, reaches its peak on Magh Purnima.
The Elephant Festival of Jaipur is held on the eve of Holi; the Desert Festival is held at Jaisalmer.
Kajli Teej is famous at Bundi; Teej heralds the monsoon.
Mosar or Nukta is the feast held on the twelfth day after a death.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires?
This page has 98 practice MCQs on Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires (Rajasthan History, Art and Culture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
In which month is the Pushkar Fair held?
In the Hindu month of Kartik, around the full moon. Pilgrims bathe in the holy Pushkar Lake during Purnima, and the fair is also a large cattle and camel trading event that draws visitors from across India and abroad.
Where is the Desert Festival held?
At Jaisalmer, where it is organised every year by the Rajasthan tourism department. The festival showcases folk music, dance and crafts of the desert region and is meant to promote the cultural heritage and tourism of the area.
What is Deepdan?
Deepdan is the tradition of offering lamps in water, and in Rajasthan it is most strongly associated with the lakes of Pushkar and Kolayat. Devotees float lamps in the lakes as an act of worship, especially on the full-moon night of Kartik.
