Q41. The ritual of bringing water in pots decorated with green wheatgrass during Gangaur is a concept application of:
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 41–50 of 98 questions
Q42. The festival of Makar Sankranti strictly follows the solar calendar and marks the transition of the Sun into which zodiac sign?
Explanation
Makar Sankranti is a significant festival in Rajasthan that marks the Sun’s transition into the zodiac sign of Capricorn, known as ‘Makara’ in Sanskrit. Unlike most Hindu festivals that follow the lunar cycle, this event follows the solar calendar. It signifies the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of longer days, representing the movement of the Sun toward the north.
Q43. Consider the following forms of Holi played in Rajasthan:
I. Lathmar Holi of Shri Mahavirji (Karauli)
II. Kodamar Holi of Bhinay (Ajmer)
III. Patthar Mar Holi of Barmer
IV. Bhagoriya Holi of Mewar
Which of the above combinations is correct in associating the type of Holi with its respective region?
I. Lathmar Holi of Shri Mahavirji (Karauli)
II. Kodamar Holi of Bhinay (Ajmer)
III. Patthar Mar Holi of Barmer
IV. Bhagoriya Holi of Mewar
Which of the above combinations is correct in associating the type of Holi with its respective region?
Explanation
Rajasthan features diverse regional variations of Holi. Lathmar Holi is observed at Shri Mahavirji in Karauli, while Kodamar Holi is typical of Bhinay in Ajmer. Barmer is famous for Patthar Mar Holi, where participants throw stones. Additionally, the Bhagoriya Holi is a traditional celebration among the tribal communities of the Mewar region. Each style reflects the unique local culture and historical traditions.
Q44. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| Types of Holi in Rajasthan | Place |
|---|---|
| A. Lathmar Holi | i. Barmer |
| B. Kodamar Holi | ii. Bhinay |
| C. Patthar Mar Holi | iii. Shri Mahavirji |
| D. Phoolo ki Holi | iv. Govind Devji Temple, Jaipur |
Explanation
Holi in Rajasthan is celebrated with diverse regional styles. Lathmar Holi is famously played at Shri Mahavirji. The community in Bhinay observes the Kodamar Holi tradition. Barmer is known for the Patthar Mar Holi, involving stones. Meanwhile, the Phoolo ki Holi, played with flower petals, is a serene and aesthetic celebration held at the Govind Devji Temple in the capital city of Jaipur.
Q45. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the traditions of Holi in Rajasthan:
Explanation
Holi traditions in Rajasthan are rich and varied. The folk deity Illoji is revered in the west, Holika Dahan symbolizes the victory of good, and ‘Phag’ songs are widely sung. However, the claim about the Gair dance is incorrect. The Gair dance is traditionally a male-dominated performance where men dance in circles with wooden sticks, particularly in the Mewar and Marwar regions.
Q46. The energetic Gair dance, characterized by men dancing in circles holding wooden sticks, is a prominent feature of Holi celebrations primarily in which region?
Explanation
The energetic Gair dance is a hallmark of Holi celebrations in Rajasthan. It is primarily performed by men who dance in large circles, striking wooden sticks in a rhythmic pattern. This traditional folk dance is most prominently found in the Mewar and Marwar regions. It serves as a vibrant display of communal joy and physical vigor during the festive spring season celebrations.
Q47. The intense tradition of kite flying in Rajasthan on Makar Sankranti is culturally and scientifically rooted in:
Explanation
The tradition of kite flying in Rajasthan on Makar Sankranti has a scientific basis beyond its cultural appeal. Since the festival occurs during the peak of winter, spending several hours on rooftops flying kites ensures that people are exposed to beneficial sunlight. This exposure helps the body synthesize Vitamin D and combat winter-related health issues, blending traditional outdoor recreation with seasonal health benefits.
Q48. Consider the following statements:
Statement I: ‘Phag’ songs are traditional folk songs sung strictly during the Diwali season.
Statement II: The celebration of Holi in Rajasthan involves both ‘Dhulandi’ (playing with colors) and singing of chang-accompanied folk songs.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Statement I: ‘Phag’ songs are traditional folk songs sung strictly during the Diwali season.
Statement II: The celebration of Holi in Rajasthan involves both ‘Dhulandi’ (playing with colors) and singing of chang-accompanied folk songs.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
‘Phag’ songs are traditional folk songs sung during the Holi season, which marks the arrival of the spring month of Phalgun, not Diwali. The second statement is correct, as Holi in Rajasthan involves both ‘Dhulandi’, where people play with colors, and the communal singing of folk songs often accompanied by the ‘chang’ instrument, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere across the state.
Q49. The temporary suspension of strict caste hierarchies and untouchability practices during Holi reflects the festival’s role in:
Explanation
The temporary suspension of strict caste hierarchies and untouchability during Holi reflects the festival’s role as a social safety valve. By allowing people from different backgrounds to interact freely through the play of colors and music, the festival fosters a temporary sense of social equality. This ritualized blurring of boundaries helps manage social tensions and reinforces a common cultural identity within the community.
Q50. Arrange the following traditional Hindu life-cycle rituals (Sanskars) in the correct chronological order of their occurrence:
A. Jatakarma
B. Garbhadhan
C. Namakaran
D. Pumsavan
Select the correct code:
A. Jatakarma
B. Garbhadhan
C. Namakaran
D. Pumsavan
Select the correct code:
Explanation
Traditional Hindu life-cycle rituals follow a specific sequence beginning before birth. Garbhadhan is the conception ritual, followed by Pumsavan for the healthy development of the fetus. After the child is born, Jatakarma is performed at birth to welcome the infant. Finally, Namakaran is the formal naming ceremony, establishing the child’s identity within the family and the broader social group of the community.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 41 | (d) The agrarian linkage of the festival symbolizing harvest and fertility |
| 42 | (a) Capricorn (Makara) |
| 43 | (c) I, II, III, and IV |
| 44 | (a) A-iii, B-ii, C-i, D-iv |
| 45 | (d) The Gair dance is traditionally performed by women only during the Holi festival. |
| 46 | (b) Mewar and Marwar |
| 47 | (c) Exposing the body to winter sunlight for Vitamin D during celebrations |
| 48 | (d) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct |
| 49 | (a) Acting as a social safety valve by fostering temporary social equality |
| 50 | (a) B, D, A, C |
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.