Part 2 — Answer key

Compare your answers after you have finished Part 1.

1. What is a diya, the little object you see glowing in many Diwali photos?
   Clay oil lamp
2. Lighting diyas during Diwali is a symbolic way to celebrate light overcoming darkness.
   True
3. On the main Diwali night in many Hindu households, which goddess is especially worshipped for prosperity?
   Lakshmi
4. Diwali always falls on the same fixed date on the Gregorian calendar.
   False
5. The word “Deepavali” is often explained as referring to what?
   Row of lamps
6. A shop advertises “auspicious purchases of gold and metal utensils” as part of the Diwali season. Which day is that clue pointing to?
   Dhanteras
7. Dhanteras is observed before the main Diwali night in the commonly cited five-day sequence.
   True
8. Diwali is most often celebrated in which Hindu lunar month?
   Kartik
9. In Nepal, the Diwali-season festival is widely known by what name?
   Tihar
10. Bandi Chhor Divas commemorates the birth of Guru Nanak.
    False
11. Kali Puja on the Diwali night is most strongly associated with which region?
    West Bengal
12. Rangoli designs are commonly placed at the entrance or threshold of a home during Diwali.
    True
13. Lakshmi Puja is typically performed on Kartik Amavasya, the new-moon night.
    True
14. Which day in the Diwali cycle is best known for celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters?
    Bhai Dooj
15. “Choti Diwali” is another common name for which day?
    Naraka Chaturdashi
16. Firecrackers are a required part of Diwali religious practice everywhere Diwali is celebrated.
    False
17. In many business communities, worshipping new account books around Diwali is often called what?
    Chopda Pujan
18. Govardhan Puja is also commonly known as what (especially when a “mountain of food” is emphasized)?
    Annakut
19. You hear about an early morning oil bath and lamp lighting on the day just before the main new-moon puja. Which day is being described?
    Naraka Chaturdashi
20. In Jain tradition, Diwali is closely associated with Mahavira attaining nirvana (moksha).
    True
21. Bandi Chhor Divas, celebrated around the Diwali season, is linked to which Sikh Guru?
    Guru Hargobind
22. You plan to photograph the moon on the main Diwali night, and someone warns you that you might not see it at all. Why?
    It is usually a new moon
23. A Diwali clue mentions Krishna defeating a demon king whose name sounds like “Naraka.” Who is it referring to?
    Narakasura
24. Bhai Dooj is celebrated before Lakshmi Puja in the commonly cited five-day Diwali sequence.
    False
25. Those small footprint patterns leading from the doorway into a home during Diwali most often symbolize what?
    Lakshmi entering the home
26. Why does Diwali’s date shift between October and November on the Gregorian calendar?
    It follows the Hindu lunar calendar
27. A story clue mentions Ayodhya, an exile ending, and lamps lit to welcome someone home. Which figure is central?
    Rama
28. A leafy garland hung over a doorway during Diwali, often made with mango leaves, is commonly called what?
    Toran
29. In many Diwali traditions, cleaning and decorating the home is linked to welcoming Lakshmi and prosperity.
    True
30. In parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka, the day after the main Diwali night is associated with King Bali and is often called what?
    Balipratipada
31. Lighting a small lamp for Yama (often called Yamadeepdan) is commonly associated with Dhanteras in many Diwali observances.
    True
32. You see a gurdwara brightly illuminated and hear the story of prisoners leaving a fort with a Sikh Guru. What Diwali-season observance is this pointing to?
    Bandi Chhor Divas
33. In Nepal’s Tihar, certain days are dedicated to honoring animals such as crows and dogs.
    True
34. Why are diyas often placed along doorways, balconies, or thresholds instead of only inside the home?
    To welcome prosperity and guide Lakshmi
35. On the Diwali new-moon night, Bengali observance often centers on the worship of which goddess?
    Kali
36. Kali Puja is simply another universal name for Lakshmi Puja everywhere in India.
    False
37. You walk past a brightly lit gurdwara during Diwali time and read a display about Guru Hargobind’s release from imprisonment and the freeing of dozens of other captives. Which observance is being highlighted?
    Bandi Chhor Divas
38. A panchang note says “Kartik Krishna Paksha Trayodashi,” and your family talks about buying a new metal utensil that day. Which Diwali day is it?
    Dhanteras
39. In many Gujarati communities, the day after the main Diwali night is often called Bestu Varas and treated as what?
    New Year day for many Gujarati communities
40. Bandi Chhor Divas celebrates Rama returning to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana.
    False
41. In Nepal’s Tihar, the day that most closely parallels Bhai Dooj is called what?
    Bhai Tika
42. Annakut offerings after Diwali are closely linked to which Krishna episode?
    Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill
43. Kali Puja is most commonly performed on the same lunar-night slot as which widely known Diwali observance?
    Lakshmi Puja night
44. Govardhan Puja and Annakut often refer to the same post-Diwali celebration, with “Annakut” highlighting the food offerings.
    True
45. In many Jain communities, Diwali marks Mahavira’s nirvana. The day immediately after is traditionally linked to what event?
    Gautam Swami attains Keval Jnana
46. A festival guide says the key puja happens on “Kartik Krishna Paksha Amavasya.” In typical Diwali wording, which observance is that?
    Lakshmi Puja night
47. Karthigai Deepam is sometimes confused with Diwali because it is also a festival of lamps. It is typically celebrated on which lunar phase?
    Kartik full moon
48. Reading about Nepal’s Tihar, you learn the first two days are devoted to honoring specific animals with garlands and offerings. Which pair matches those first two animal days?
    Crows and dogs