About this quiz
Major festivals, jatras, temples, musical instruments and architectural styles of Nepal.
This Lok Sewa practice set has 20 multiple-choice questions (Subject: General Knowledge · For: Kharidar, Nayab Subba · Level: Easy). Take the quiz above first; after that, use the study list below to revise every question with its correct answer and a short explanation.
Study list: all 20 questions with answers and explanations
Ghatasthapana marks the beginning of which festival?
- A) Dashain ✔
- B) Tihar
- C) Teej
- D) Chhath
Why: Dashain begins with Ghatasthapana, when jamara (barley shoots) are sown, and its main tika day is Vijaya Dashami.
Bhai Tika is celebrated on the last day of which festival?
- A) Dashain
- B) Holi
- C) Tihar ✔
- D) Maha Shivaratri
Why: Tihar, the five-day festival of lights, ends with Bhai Tika, when sisters put tika on their brothers.
Which deity is mainly worshipped during the Chhath festival?
- A) Lord Shiva
- B) The Sun God (Surya) ✔
- C) Goddess Laxmi
- D) Lord Indra
Why: Chhath, widely celebrated in the Terai and Mithila region, is dedicated to the Sun God, who is offered prayers at sunset and sunrise.
Tamu Lhosar is the new year festival of which community?
- A) Sherpa
- B) Tamang
- C) Thakali
- D) Gurung ✔
Why: Tamu Lhosar is celebrated by the Gurung (Tamu) community on Poush 15.
Gyalpo Lhosar is mainly celebrated by which community?
- A) Gurung
- B) Magar
- C) Sherpa ✔
- D) Tharu
Why: Gyalpo Lhosar is the new year festival mainly of the Sherpa community, while Sonam Lhosar is celebrated by the Tamang community.
The chariot procession of the Living Goddess Kumari in Kathmandu is part of which festival?
- A) Indra Jatra ✔
- B) Ghode Jatra
- C) Bisket Jatra
- D) Gai Jatra
Why: During Indra Jatra in Kathmandu, the chariot of Kumari is pulled through the old city, along with Lakhe dances and the raising of the Yosin pole.
Which Malla king is credited with adding humour and satire to the Gai Jatra festival?
- A) Jayasthiti Malla
- B) Yaksha Malla
- C) Bhupatindra Malla
- D) Pratap Malla ✔
Why: King Pratap Malla is said to have encouraged jokes and satire during Gai Jatra to comfort his queen after the death of their son.
During Teej, Hindu women fast and pray mainly to which god?
- A) Lord Vishnu
- B) Lord Shiva ✔
- C) Lord Brahma
- D) Lord Ganesh
Why: Teej is a women's festival in which Hindu women fast and worship Lord Shiva, following the story of Parvati's devotion to Shiva.
On which date is Maghe Sankranti celebrated?
- A) Magh 1 ✔
- B) Poush 1
- C) Baisakh 1
- D) Shrawan 1
Why: Maghe Sankranti falls on Magh 1 and is celebrated with til, ghee, chaku and yam; the Tharu community celebrates it as Maghi.
Ubhauli and Udhauli are festivals of which community?
- A) Newar
- B) Tharu
- C) Thakali
- D) Kirat ✔
Why: Ubhauli and Udhauli are Kirat festivals marked by the Sakela or Sakewa dance, linked to the seasonal migration of birds and people.
The Royal Kumari of Kathmandu is selected from which community?
- A) Brahmin
- B) Shakya (Newar) ✔
- C) Gurung
- D) Thakuri
Why: The Royal Kumari of Kathmandu is chosen from girls of the Newar Shakya clan and lives in the Kumari Ghar at Basantapur.
In which city is the five-storey Nyatapola temple located?
- A) Patan
- B) Kathmandu
- C) Bhaktapur ✔
- D) Kirtipur
Why: Nyatapola, a five-roofed pagoda temple in Taumadhi Square, Bhaktapur, was built by King Bhupatindra Malla.
In which architectural style is the stone Krishna Mandir of Patan built?
- A) Pagoda
- B) Shikhara ✔
- C) Stupa
- D) Gumba
Why: Krishna Mandir in Patan Durbar Square, built by King Siddhi Narasimha Malla, is a famous example of the Shikhara style.
Which temple contains the famous stone pillar inscription of Licchavi king Manadeva dated 464 AD?
- A) Changunarayan ✔
- B) Pashupatinath
- C) Kasthamandap
- D) Swayambhunath
Why: Changunarayan temple in Bhaktapur district houses the pillar inscription of King Manadeva dated 464 AD, a key source of Licchavi history.
On the bank of which river is the Pashupatinath temple located?
- A) Bishnumati
- B) Manohara
- C) Dhobi Khola
- D) Bagmati ✔
Why: Pashupatinath, the famous temple of Lord Shiva, stands on the bank of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu.
The sarangi is a traditional instrument associated with which community?
- A) Damai
- B) Tharu
- C) Gandharva (Gaine) ✔
- D) Sherpa
Why: The Gandharva (Gaine) community traditionally sings and plays the sarangi, carrying songs and news from village to village.
Which of the following is NOT part of the traditional Panche Baja?
- A) Sahanai
- B) Narsinga
- C) Damaha
- D) Sarangi ✔
Why: Panche Baja includes instruments such as sahanai, narsinga, damaha, jhyali and tyamko; the sarangi is a string instrument not included in it.
Where is Ghode Jatra mainly held in Kathmandu?
- A) Basantapur
- B) Tundikhel ✔
- C) Ratna Park
- D) Gaucharan
Why: Ghode Jatra, the horse festival held in Chaitra, is celebrated with horse displays at Tundikhel in Kathmandu.
Bisket Jatra, held at the Nepali New Year, is famous in which city?
- A) Bhaktapur ✔
- B) Gorkha
- C) Janakpur
- D) Pokhara
Why: Bisket Jatra is the major New Year festival of Bhaktapur, featuring chariot pulling and the raising of a tall pole (lingo).
In which city is the famous Janaki Mandir located?
- A) Birgunj
- B) Lumbini
- C) Janakpur ✔
- D) Biratnagar
Why: Janaki Mandir, dedicated to Goddess Sita, is located in Janakpur.