DharmaQuiz: March 2012

Friday, March 30, 2012

DharmaQuiz Session 128: 30-Mar-2012

Theme: Ramanavami

When Dasharatha was son-less for a long time, Sage Vasistha advised him to perform a specific yaga. Name the yaga. #DharmaQuiz 996. Ans: Putra Kameshti Yaga.
For 14 years, Prince Bharata ran the kingdom on behalf of Lord Rama from a place in modern-day UP. Name the place. #DharmaQuiz 997. Ans: Nandi Grama
I waited many years to get a darshan of Lord Rama & offered half-bitten berries to him when he entered my ashram. Who am I ? #DharmaQuiz 998. Ans: Shabari
Sage Agastya teaches a shloka - seeking energy from Sun - to Rama just before his battle with Ravana. Name this hymn/shloka. #DharmaQuiz 999 Ans: Aditya Hridayam.
***1000th Question***. Name the vehicle in which Lord Rama returned from Lanka to Ayodhya. #DharmaQuiz 1000. Ans: Pushpaka Vimana.

Top Scorers:

@surenc1974 : 5
@Susri1210 : 5
@aravozhukkam : 5
@ramas_cal : 5
@sweetandu : 5
@sharathinindia : 5
@shawjipk : 5
@Rasraj : 5
@DevNakshi : 5
@abhishek_2411 : 5
@iSaakshi : 5
@ABelWINS : 5
@philAmit : 5

Congratulations to:

@pirateadmiral : 4
@iSumitRk : 4
@itsmesuresh : 4
@neerajstpl : 4
@SantaSingh : 4

@rajiv_aqua : 3
@idurgesh : 3
@clumsycoder : 2
@subodh1945 : 2
@trueindian00 : 2
@sharad_51 : 2
@the_delhi_girl : 2
@mayureshgaikwad : 2
@gootypp : 2
@raunakjhawar : 2
@bhattvihang : 2
@aughadnath :2

@c_aashish : 1
@vinaybsub : 1
@Nisharp : 1
@sanjaykhera11 : 1
@jaipurarun : 1
@keerthinarayan8 : 1
@Harsh1011 : 1
@pchaturved : 1
@shamit11 : 1
@stormylook : 1
@ishekhar_sk : 1
@paritosh2608 : 1
@virendersj : 1
@rranjan501 : 1
@ankushraj29 : 1
@MissRighto : 1
@_mithya : 1
@Iam_BigV : 1
@Sumit_Nagpal : 1
@EternalWhiner : 1
@neelimatripathi : 1
@DaringDeepa : 1
@pushkaras : 1
@sanjaykhera11 : 1
@DonAmit : 1
@From_Samir : 1
@Satya046 : 1
@ankushraj29 : 1
@diwakargc : 1
@dharmakrit : 1
@WordOfTheFree : 1

Wow.. We made it to the 1000th question in about 20 months, by focusing on #DharmaQuiz 2 times a week mostly. Thanks a lot for the continuous particiatipn of one and all. Without your support, we wouldn't be here now.

Special thanks to @kishor_narayan for sending questions ahead of time and playing the guest Quiz Master role! If anyone else wants to play that role for future editions, you are most welcome. Just contact me on Twitter at @kiranks.

Take care and Jai Shreeram!!!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

DharmaQuiz Session 127: 27-Mar-2012

Theme: Indian Heritage

Name the founder one of today's big religions, in which a separate male and female monk order was first formed. #DharmaQuiz 991. Ans: Gautama Buddha. (Key word is Founder)
Name a God worshiped even in 21st century, whose name is associated with a mesmerizing musical instrument. #DharmaQuiz 992. Ans: Lord Krishna. But Saraswati & Shiva also considered.
A 1662 KM super fast train runs along East Coast of India, named after the dynasty that built Brihadeshwara temple. Name it. #DharmaQuiz 993. Ans: Coromandel Express - More at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coromandel_Express and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brihadeeswarar_Temple
A famous Sanskrit drama, set in holy city of Ujjain 1800 yrs back, was written by King Indrani Gupta. What was his pen name? #DharmaQuiz 994. Ans: Shudraka
Name a sacred Hindu book that has 18 Parvas, which also contains 18 Chapters of master philosophy. #DharmaQuiz 995. Ans: Mahabharata

Top Scorers:

@pinkelephanta : 5
@iSaakshi : 5
@pvaidyaraj : 5

Congrats to:

@narayananbadri8 : 4
@sharathinindia : 4
@DevNakshi : 4

@AjitVGupta : 3
@akhilm176 : 3
@iSumitRk : 3

@udgeetha : 2
@vinodvyas220 : 2
@Amaresh80 : 2
@shaileshsoni : 2
@Rasraj : 2
@vinodvyas220 : 2

@kavirajnair : 1
@dominodeck : 1
@stormylook : 1
@FatAngryBird : 1
@man0jsharma : 1
@hindu_tweeter : 1
@mayureshgaikwad : 1
@ChefEmBee : 1
@GirishLN : 1
@vamshitweet : 1
@vipulgupta1976 : 1
@shivaranjan : 1
@virendersj : 1
@ashutoshkulkar1 : 1
@hchaturv : 1
@mallipoorasigai : 1
@girikesavan : 1
@aravozhukkam : 1
@anjemchoudhary : 1
@sankararaman : 1
@Manjunaath : 1
@vinaybsub : 1
@gootypp : 1
@rajiv2131 : 1

Many Congrats to all. The next DharmaQuiz will see the grand 100th question commemorating Rama Navami hopefully.. Do come and join to support this Quiz on Friday :)

DharmaQuiz Session 126: 20-Mar-2012

Theme: Female Centric Hindu Festivals

Name the spiritual movement in meditation, involving lakhs of women, which calls itself daughters of the Creator - #DharmaQuiz 986. Ans: Brahma Kumaris. More here: http://www.bkwsu.org/whoweare/history.htm/
Name the Hindu cultural festival in Kerala,which has set the Guinness record for the largest gathering of women at 1 place! #DharmaQuiz 987 Ans: Pongala. More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pongala
92 KM from a metro city in India, women of all backgrounds can worship Adi Parashakti at sanctum sanctorum. Name the metro. #DharmaQuiz 988. Ans: Chennai. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adhiparasakthi_Siddhar_Peetam
Like Sabarimala, there's a mostly women pilgrimage with mala & "irumudi" for women. It's call Om "____". Fill the blanks. #DharmaQuiz 989. Ans: Om Shaki pilgrimage. More here: http://www.sakthiolhi.org/irumudi.htm and http://www.omsakthi.org/news/2001/011211.html
Name a famous festival in & around Bihar,where the chief worshiper is a woman & titled "Parvaitin". #DharmaQuiz 990. Ans: Chhath Puja. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhath

Top Scorers:

@sheefal : 5
@iSumitRk : 5
@kishor_narayan : 5
@sharathinindia : 5
@bhaviknz : 5
@vijayasenthilk : 5
@Amaresh80 : 5
@rohitbhatta : 5
@iSaakshi : 5
@neerajstpl : 5
@ramprakash74 : 5

Congrats to:

@DevNakshi : 4
@pvaidyaraj : 4

@chikchirp : 3
@TheArvindDhar : 3
@_Nithingowda : 3
@mamtan14 : 3
@surnell : 3
@vaidhiy4v : 3

@mayaadvaita : 2

@Dhanushm : 1
@arvind_nadig : 1
@mallipoorasigai : 1
@KittuKrithika : 1
@kushargarakesh : 1
@jineesh_blr : 1
@SuryahSG : 1
@skt_1 : 1
@aususa7 : 1
@Marut_ : 1
@Satya046 : 1
@vipulgupta1976 : 1
@RhivasSeagull : 1
@TheDhananjayKr : 1
@maddyraj : 1
@idurgesh : 1
@asraghunath : 1
@krish_unni : 1
@Mimaniya : 1
@NikhilVadia : 1
@arora_chandan : 1
@hindu_tweeter : 1
@bharadwajmn : 1
@bhaveshshah : 1
@MystiqueMusings : 1
@shivsBHARAT : 1
@manohar_sram : 1
@SantaSingh : 1
@voxindica : 1

I was told this was a tougher quiz, but was glad to see so many make it to the list above. There were more who attempted. Thanks to your interest!

Friday, March 16, 2012

DharmaQuiz Session 125: 16-Mar-2012

Theme: Hindu and Sikh Festivals of March/April Period

Yamuna Jayanti is famous festival in North India. Which city/town is this mainly celebrated in? #DharmaQuiz 980. Ans: Mathura.
On the day of Holi, a big Elephant Festival happens in a historic North Indian city. Name the city. #DharmaQuiz 981. Ans: Jaipur.
In the month of Chaitra (Mar-Apr), lakhs of people participate in Kaila Devi (Guardian of Yadavas) Fair. Name the state. #DharmaQuiz 982. Ans: Rajasthan
Attuvela Mahotsavam is a unique water carnival in March/April, near a Bhagawathy temple in South India. Name the state. #DharmaQuiz 983. Ans: Kerala
Holla Mohalla is a procession festival celebrated the day after Holi with martial arts display. Name the state. #DharmaQuiz 984. Ans: Punjab.
Out of many types of Navaratris (9 days for Goddess), name the one which culminates with Rama Navami. #DharmaQuiz 985. Ans: Vasanta Navaratri or Chaitra Navaratri.

Top Scorers:

@RaviGhiyar : 6
@iSaakshi : 6
@nvignesh93 : 6
@mamtan14 : 6
@gupta_n : 6
@kishor_narayan : 6
@neerajstpl : 6
@PriyaTweets_ : 6
@ChdryPk : 6

Congrats to:

@iSumitRk : 5
@TheArvindDhar : 5\
@humbleguy12 : 5
@jagdish : 4
@jemin_p : 3
@subodh1945 : 2
@man0jsharma : 2
@Rasraj : 2
@aravozhukkam : 2
@JainPankaj88 : 2
@Harsh1011 : 1
@VijayShenli : 1
@Milindkher : 1
@bhartendu2206 : 1
@FatAngryBird : 1
@pulki_bushu : 1
@FryedUnicorn : 1
@rishology : 1
@rangats : 1

See you next time, either Tuesday evening or Friday evening or both :)

Friday, March 9, 2012

DharmaQuiz Session 124: 9-Mar-2012

Theme: Combined.

In ancient times, there was a kingdom in India called "Kama Rupa". Name that state's current name. #DharmaQuiz 975. Ans: Asom.
From whom did Ravana steal the famed Pushpaka Vimana? #DharmaQuiz 976. Ans: Kubera, his half brother
Name the great educationalist who started the famed Banaras Hindu University? #DharmaQuiz 977. Ans: Madan Mohan Malaviya.
What's the name of the 'vana' or big garden, where Ravana had kept Sita? #DharmaQuiz 978. Ans: Ashoka Vana or Ashoka Vatika.
{Final,Open till 11PM} Ravana was a Rakshasa who fought Vishnu (Rama). Name another Rakshasa who was Vishnu's great devotee. #DharmaQuiz 979. Ans: Prahlada or Bali.(Vibheeshana considered)

Top Scorers - 24 of them this time!:

@vijirak : 5
@sheefal : 5
@mayaadvaita : 5
@kishor_narayan : 5
@gupta_n : 5
@rahulghildiyal : 5
@rohitbhatta : 5
@balakrshnanr : 5
@hindu_tweeter : 5
@Amaresh80 : 5
@ChdryPk : 5
@sharathinindia : 5
@anillucky31 : 5
@shibu_kt : 5
@sweetandu : 5
@chikchirp : 5
@DevNakshi : 5
@KPGanesh : 5
@manojdha : 5
@iSaakshi : 5
@surenc1974 : 5
@humbleguy12 : 5
@pirateadmiral : 5
@rajputrahul19 : 5

Congratulations to:

@surenc1974 : 4
@aughadnath : 4
@iSumitRk : 4
@Gaandeeva : 4
@udgeetha : 4
@clumsycoder : 4

@Rakeshpundir15 : 3
@flip2win : 3
@jagdish : 3
@sumat_patel : 3
@Divyansh9196 : 3
@bhattvihang : 3
@Dhanushm : 3
@anilkohli54 : 3

@AjitVGupta : 3
@SantaSingh : 3
@santosh2304 : 3
@man0jsharma : 3
@rinku3009 : 3
@Susri1210 : 3

@biswajeetdash : 2
@rameshnswamy : 2
@mallipoorasigai : 2
@impankajmani : 2
@udayanojha : 2
@ramjoukani : 2
@rk_kulkarni : 2
@boribunder : 2
@manikandan_s_k : 2
@nemakal : 2
@rankannan : 2
@ujjwalpareek : 2
@StrugDT : 2
@kanika_22 : 2
@ShivaTN_66 : 2
@iRushikesh : 2

@chaitanyabdesai : 1
@lshyam : 1
@satyamitra08 : 1
@parag1626 : 1
@harshvb : 1
@psudo : 1
@Rakeshpundir15 : 1
@lifeisgr8nc : 1
@FatAngryBird : 1
@shuksrpcol : 1
@SHIVANNANT : 1
@VishvambharV : 1
@kalyan_sk3011 : 1
@eugene_lobo : 1
@Ravitejadanda : 1
@ChefEmBee : 1
@dkarthik : 1
@kamal_1986 : 1
@shivaranjan : 1
@doubtinggaurav : 1
@coollibran007 : 1
@subodh1945 : 1
@subbureddy : 1
@maddyraj : 1
@smartrudra : 1
@san_dcool : 1
@UMS_III : 1

Many congratulations to a large number of participants this time. You guys motivate me to keep on searching for new themes!

DharmaQuiz Session 123: 2-Mar-2012

Theme: Mottos from Hindu scriptures in Indian Educational Institutes

IIM-Bangalore and Andhra University have "Tejasvi Naavadheetamastu" as motto. Which Upanishad is it from? #DharmaQuiz 969. Ans: Taittariya Upanishad, but also found in Katha upanishad.
Central Board of Secondary Education of India (CBSE) has asato maa sadgamaya as its motto. What does "Asat" mean? #DharmaQuiz 970. Ans: Untruth
Indian Institute of Technology- Kharagpur, has 'Yogah karmasu kaushalam' from Gita as its motto. What does 'Kaushalam' mean? #DharmaQuiz 971. Ans: Kaushalam = Skill.
Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee's motto is shramam vinaa, na kimapi saadhyam. What's 'vina' conveying here? #DharmaQuiz 972. Ans: Vinaa = Without
A famous university in Hyderabad, has its motto as "tamaso maa jyotirgamaya" from Upanishad Shanti mantras. Name the Univ. #DharmaQuiz 973. Ans: Osmania University
{Final, Open till 11PM} St. Xavier's school of a Steel City in Jharkhand has a motto rupantari karaneeyam. Name the city. #DharmaQuiz 974. Ans: Bokaro.

Top Scorers:

@pvaidyaraj : 6
@mamtan14 : 6
@iSaakshi : 6
@kishor_narayan : 6
@philAmit : 6
@nvignesh93 : 6
@rahulghildiyal : 6
@neerajstpl : 6

Congrats to:

@balakrshnanr : 5
@iSumitRk : 5
@sheefal : 5
@DevNakshi : 5
@hindu_tweeter : 5
@sharathinindia : 5

@rajputrahul19 : 4

@surenc1974 : 3
@chikchirp : 3
@shivsBHARAT : 3
@manojkagarwal : 3
@Mimaniya : 3

@gnanambalam : 2
@VishvambharV : 2
@RobbieSingh2 : 2
@TheRajarshi : 2

@kalyan_sk3011 : 1
@jarjunmpradhant : 1
@suar4sure : 1
@ramavenu : 1
@rahul10_02 : 1
@DevsChat : 1
@gnanambalam : 1
@luckyfresh : 1
@TheArvindDhar : 1
@rucheesharma : 1
@BeeerBal : 1
@dwellerinme : 1
@Flyfiddlesticks : 1
@sujeetpillai : 1
@Manju1102 : 1
@sharma_67 : 1
@kumar_vv : 1

Do leave your comments if you have suggestions. Thanks.

Friday, March 2, 2012

DharmaQuiz Session 122: 28-Feb-2012

Theme: Colours and Image from Indian Flag

One of Sugriva's army chief can be "found" in the modern India's flag. Name him. #DharmaQuiz 964. Ans: Kesari, father of Hanuman. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kesari_%28Ramayana%29
A Hindu Goddess is depicted as wearing a spotless white saree, holding a musical instrument in one of her 4 hands. Name her. #DharmaQuiz 965. Ans: Saraswati.
On the 7th day of Navaratri festival, Devi's image/idol is decorated in a saree of a colour found in Indian flag. Name it. #DharmaQuiz 966. Ans: Green. More here: http://www.agamaacademy.org/flashnews/Navarathri.pdf
What exactly is Sudarshan, linked to Lord Krishna (Vishnu)? Similar thing is found in today's Indian flag too. #DharmaQuiz 967. Ans: Chakra or Wheel.
A Hindu Lord's neck is of a similar colour as the spokes at the center of Indian flag. Name the GOD. #DharmaQuiz 968. Ans: Lord Shiva or Neela (blue) Kantha (neck).

These were the the top scorers during this quiz session:
Great job all 15!

@venshu : 5
@iSaakshi : 5
@garrypunj : 5
@KPGanesh : 5
@iSumitRk : 5
@kishor_narayan : 5
@TheArvindDhar : 5
@philAmit : 5
@mamtan14 : 5
@ChefEmBee : 5
@surenc1974 : 5
@rahulghildiyal : 5
@arunz : 5
@nvignesh93 : 5
@balakrshnanr : 5

And many congratulations to all these who did well!

@rainaamit : 4
@sharad_51 : 4
@manohar_sram : 4
@OyeImran : 4
@Right2bRight : 4
@stormylook : 4
@hindu_tweeter : 4
@AjitVGupta : 4
@clumsycoder: 4
@sheefal : 4
@bhattvihang : 4
@neerajstpl : 4

@man0jsharma : 3
@manojkagarwal : 3
@biswajeetdash : 3
@mayureshgaikwad : 3
@Jaadoo_jupiter : 3
@mallipoorasigai : 3

@Stupidintellect : 2
@rishibingewar : 2
@virendersj : 2
@retinaboss : 2
@_mithya : 2
@talismaan : 2
@hchaturv : 2
@luckyfresh : 2
@VishvambharV : 2
@ramjoukani : 2
@Manjunaath : 2
@ManmeetS31 : 2
@hm_eVOTS : 2
@ASHISHRAJE1 : 2

@AmiSri : 1
@BeeerBal : 1
@puneetdwd : 1
@Shreyash_ : 1
@Naagesh_tweets : 1
@kamal_1986 : 1
@soul_longings : 1
@im_adi : 1
@BeingHindu : 1
@Flyfiddlesticks : 1
@nilavya : 1
@malthnks : 1
@IAmTathagat : 1
@rankannan : 1
@ramavenu : 1
@_ankitG : 1
@rinku3009 : 1
@surnell : 1
@mbhagawat : 1
@sachingowda : 1
@sumat_patel : 1
@ShivaTN_66 : 1
@jothishnair1010 : 1
@kk_ahm : 1
@vaidhiy4v : 1
@atulbadani : 1
@Mimaniya : 1

The next session starts in a few minutes... Watch out.

Friday, March 30, 2012

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Friday, March 16, 2012

Friday, March 9, 2012

Friday, March 2, 2012

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