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 31–40 of 98 questions
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q31. Given below are two statements, one labeled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R): Assertion (A): There is a popular Rajasthani saying, "Teej tyoharan bawdi, le doobi Gangaur." Reason (R): Teej marks the beginning of the festive cycle in Rajasthan, while Gangaur marks its end. Select the correct answer:
Explanation
The Rajasthani proverb highlights the cyclical nature of local celebrations. Teej, falling in the monsoon month of Shravan, signifies the start of the series of traditional festivals. Conversely, Gangaur, celebrated in the month of Chaitra, marks the conclusion of the major festive season. This chronological framework is essential to understanding the cultural rhythm and social life within the state’s heritage.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q32. The grand procession of Kajli Teej, which features an ornate palanquin of the goddess passing through the main bazaars, is famously held in:
Explanation
While Teej is celebrated across Rajasthan, the city of Bundi is particularly famous for its grand Kajli Teej procession. This event occurs in the month of Bhadrapada and features an ornate palanquin carrying the goddess through the bustling main bazaars. The procession is accompanied by folk performers and decorated elephants, attracting thousands of spectators to witness this unique cultural spectacle.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q33. In the context of Rajasthani social customs, the term ‘Sinjara’ is defined as:
Explanation
In the context of Rajasthani social customs, ‘Sinjara’ refers to a specific set of traditional gifts. These are usually sent by a woman’s in-laws to her maternal home before the Teej festival. The gifts typically include henna (mehndi), vibrant clothes, traditional jewelry, and sweets like Ghevar, all of which are used by the woman to adorn herself for the upcoming festivities.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q34. The festival of Teej is most appropriately viewed in the Rajasthani social context as a mechanism for:
Explanation
In the Rajasthani social context, the Teej festival functions as a mechanism for rejuvenating social bonds and reinforcing the importance of marital fidelity. It also celebrates the deep connection between the community and nature, particularly the arrival of the life-giving monsoon. Through shared rituals, fasting, and festivities, the event strengthens the cultural fabric and promotes a sense of collective well-being.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q35. Select the correct sequence of events that characterize the celebration of Gangaur:
Explanation
The celebration of Gangaur follows a structured sequence of traditional rituals. It begins with the symbolic sowing of wheat or barley in small pots. This is followed by the daily worship of clay idols of Isar and Gauri. The festival culminates in a grand public procession of the goddess Gauri, ending with the immersion of the idols into a sacred water body.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q36. The festival of Gangaur is celebrated during which Hindu month?
Explanation
Gangaur is one of the most significant and widely celebrated festivals in Rajasthan. It begins on the day following Holi and continues for eighteen days, primarily falling within the Hindu month of Chaitra. The festival marks the arrival of spring and is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Gauri, who represents marital bliss, fertility, and the overall prosperity of the household.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q37. Consider the following statements regarding Gangaur: I. ‘Gan’ signifies Lord Shiva and ‘Gaur’ signifies Goddess Parvati. II. Unmarried girls worship Gangaur seeking a good husband. III. It is entirely restricted to the royal households of Rajasthan. Which of the above combinations of statements is correct?
Explanation
Gangaur derives its name from ‘Gan’ (Lord Shiva) and ‘Gaur’ (Goddess Parvati). The festival is widely observed by women; unmarried girls worship the deities seeking a good husband, while married women pray for the longevity and health of their spouses. Contrary to being restricted to royal households, Gangaur is a popular festival celebrated with great fervor by all social classes throughout Rajasthan.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q38. Identify the correct statement regarding unique Gangaur traditions in Rajasthan:
Explanation
Gangaur traditions vary across Rajasthan, reflecting local history. In Jaisalmer, the unique practice of "Bina Isar ki Gawar" involves worshipping the goddess Gauri without the accompanying idol of Lord Shiva. Other regions have distinct variations, such as the Dhinga Gavar in Jodhpur and Udaipur or the Gulabi Gangaur in Nathdwara, each with specific rituals and historical reasons for their unique practices.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q39. Which of the following is a negative or exception to the general customs of Gangaur?
Explanation
Gangaur is a festival that celebrates marital happiness and fertility. While it involves women decorating their hands with mehndi, participating in rituals, and bringing water in ornate pots, widows are traditionally excluded from the primary ceremonies. The festival’s focus on marriage and the long life of husbands means that widows do not lead or participate in the core religious functions of the procession.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Social Life: Fairs, Festivals, Customs and Attires
Q40. Consider the following statements: Statement I: The wooden idols used during Gangaur are exclusively crafted by local artisans in Bassi village of Chittorgarh. Statement II: The idols are never repainted; instead, a new set must be carved every year. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The wooden idols of Isar and Gauri used during Gangaur are traditionally crafted by the artisans of Bassi in Chittorgarh. However, the claim that a new set must be carved every year is incorrect. While some families may buy new ones, many households preserve their wooden idols for several years, repainting and redecorating them annually to maintain their traditional vibrancy for the celebrations.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
31
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
32
(b) Bundi
33
(d) A set of traditional gifts given to a woman by her in-laws before Teej
34
(a) Rejuvenating social bonds, marital fidelity, and connection with nature
35
(a) Sowing of wheat/barley Worship of clay idols Procession of Gauri Immersion of idols in water
36
(b) Chaitra
37
(a) I and II only
38
(c) ‘Bina Isar ki Gawar’ (Gauri without Shiva) is uniquely worshipped in Jaisalmer
39
(d) Widows serving as primary functionaries leading the Gangaur procession
40
(c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
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.
