DharmaQuiz: 2014

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Hindu temples of Jammu & Kashmir, and Jharkhand.

DharmaQuiz Session 311: 23-Dec-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1941: Over which mountain is the precious Vaishno Devi temple situated in Jammu and Kashmir? Ans: Trikuta.

DQ 1941: Pic from makemytrip

#DharmaQuiz 1942: There's a famous Devi temple 20 KM east of Srinagar in Jammu & Kashmir. Mentioned in Kalhana's Rajtarangini. Name it. Ans: Kheer Bhavani temple.

#DharmaQuiz 1943: There's a hill overlooking Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. Has Jagadamba Sharika temple. Name the hill. Ans: Hari Parbat.

DQ 1943: Pic from travelersguideindia

#DharmaQuiz 1944: This 325 year old Hindu temple was restored in 2008 in the state of Jharkhand. Name the temple. Ans: Jagannath temple, Ranchi.

DQ 1944: Pic from panoramio

#DharmaQuiz 1945: Only one of the 12 sacred Jyotir Lingas, is in the eastern part of India. Where is it? Ans: Baidyanath, Jharkhand.

Scores for session 311:

@surnell : 5
@RakeshChouhan : 5

@TheArvindDhar : 4

@stormylook : 3
@bezubaan : 3
@DrShobha : 3

@rahulbagati : 2
@pradeepsingh83 : 2
@NaMo__Bhakt : 2
@chitrabharadwaj : 2
@mamtakejriwal75 : 2

@rathinikesh : 1
@shailu_CA : 1
‏@SameerTandon1 : 1
@sudhirapai : 1
@rgopalv : 1
@NilimaNilimas : 1
@jodhra63 : 1
@arunrush : 1
@pramodthap : 1
‏@ko_ji2000 : 1
‏@mrsnrao : 1
@devyanidilli : 1
@PoonamV_ : 1
@keshavaram : 1
@KakRajender : 1
‏@RRamgovind : 1
@TORUKH_MAKTO : 1
@anityakr : 1
@prasca : 1
@ganeshmahnar : 1
@sharnarthi90 : 1
@Krish9995 : 1
@AgentSaffron : 1
@KakRajender : 1
@Nationalistweet : 1

Learn more about temples from these two states, that were in news today.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Theme: Indian Hindu festivals

DQ 1936. Image: cloudfront.net/

DharmaQuiz Session 310: 16-Dec-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1936: In which state is this nice flower festival celebrated with ladies dancing
around flower creations? Ans: Telangana. Festival is Bathukamma.

#DharmaQuiz 1937: In which state of India, do people welcome new year with a folk dance shown here? Ans: Asom. Festival is Bihu.

DQ 1937. Image: aaikon.wordpress

#DharmaQuiz 1938: In which Indian state do people welcome Hindu new year like this? Ans: Maharashtra. Festival is Gudi Padwa.

DQ 1938: Image: indiamarks.com

#DharmaQuiz 1939: Name any one state where during the month of Kartika, one lakh deepas are lighted by women in group. Ans: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana. Kartika Deepotvasa.

DQ 1939. Image: andhrawishesh

#DharmaQuiz 1940: In which state of India do people welcome agriculture season (rain)
like this? Ans: Odisha. Festival is Raja Parba.

DQ 1940. Image: vedicvaani

Scores for session 310.

‏@Telugutalli : 5
@pramod_klr : 5
@durgaramdas : 5

@Simuntweets : 4
@kishor_narayan : 4
@TheArvindDhar : 4
@naonome : 4
@sreekannoth : 4
@UKKishor : 4

‏@man8shree : 3
‏@Mamdhata : 3
@bulletguru : 3

@arvdhamo : 2
@gouripathy : 2
@stormylook : 2
@anilchirps : 2
@FakeJourno : 2
@kushblr : 2
‏@hrnaidu : 2
@IndiafirstVM : 2
@aman_lakhera : 2
‏@db_is_db : 2
@tweets2ap : 2
@pushp_onenonly : 2
@srinivasanands : 2

@geetaSkapoor : 1
‏@snjn1 : 1
@PoonamV_ : 1
@mohiteabhi : 1
@ajoooo67: 1
@ashutoshrawal : 1
@jsp293 : 1
@praetorianblade : 1
‏@salvi_v : 1
@praetorianblade : 1
@kiranskatore : 1
‏@GirishBalu1 : 1
@RaghuKandkur : 1
@amolsarnaik : 1
@aravindan_krish : 1
@TorontoDreams : 1
@Kirti100 : 1
@AjitDovalFans : 1
‏@stormylook : 1
@bharathphatak : 1
@cgmagia : 1
@hemantajha : 1
@Chemkishan : 1
‏@chitralakshman : 1
@meenabg : 2
@NagarajKuppelur : 1
@magaxiom : 1
@nirax : 1
@TechBlueprints : 1
@ashvasant : 1
@vicky20680 : 1
@nehjin8 : 1
@rgopalv : 1
@sarvankarthik6 : 1
@sharmaswati28 : 1
@siddharthaanand : 1
@1KaDuM : 1
‏@rucheesharma : 1
@Vamsee9002 : 1
@pruthvirajnyk : 1
@Surender_Wgl : 1

Great to see so many attempting our unique Hindu festival quiz. Keep it up!

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Theme: Hindu marriages

DharmaQuiz Session 309: 09-Dec-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1931: When sage Dattatreya met King Yadu in a forest, how many Gurus did he say he had? (Earth, Water, Air, Elephant, Ocean....) Ans: 24
Read the full list here: http://hinduism.about.com/od/gurussaints/fl/The-24-Gurus-in-Nature.htm

(Only this one not directly linked to marriages)

#DharmaQuiz 1932: How many types of marriages did Manu describe in the "Manava Dharma Shastra"? Ans: 8
See this: http://hinduism.about.com/od/matrimonial1/a/typesofmarriage.htm

#DharmaQuiz 1933: In a traditional Hindu marriage, how many blessings do the couple get going around the fire? ("May this couple be...") Ans: Seven.
Read all the 7 steps of Saptapadi: http://hinduism.about.com/od/matrimonial1/a/7blessings.htm

#DharmaQuiz 1934: In a typical Hindu marriage, does Kanya Daana happen before or after Pani grahana? Ans: Before.

Read: http://hinduism.about.com/od/matrimonial1/a/wedding_rituals.htm

{Final,Open till 10.00PM} #DharmaQuiz 1935: There's a step in many Hindu marriages- Laja homah. What material is put in fire by bride there? Ans: Puffed Rice.

Again, read: http://hinduism.about.com/od/matrimonial1/a/wedding_rituals.htm

Scores for session 309:

‏@shibu_kt : 5
‏@Telugutalli : 5
@durgaramdas : 5

@bashbangalore : 4
‏@rajeshrajput1 : 4
@Mamdhata : 4

‏@jigmpatel : 3
@Simuntweets : 3
@Gopalee67 : 3
‏@stormylook : 3

@LutyensMalala : 2
‏@arunrush : 2
@DrDNYKrishna : 2

‏@anandrk77 : 1
‏@monisha_yadav : 1
@RAMESH4184 : 1
@ArjKadya : 1
@sudhica84 : 1
@keshavhosahalli : 1
@shantheshkulur : 1
@aasare1 : 1
@Kaivalyapad : 1
‏@sdpandya8 : 1
@sandeepkuppur : 1
@AnithaNadsal : 1

See you next week.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Rebuilding of destroyed ancient Hindu temples.

DharmaQuiz Session 308: 02-Dec-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1926: Name this Dalit Hindu was laid the 1st foundation stone of Ram Janmabhumi temple on Nov 10, 1989. Ans: Kameshwar Choupal

DQ 1926

#DharmaQuiz 1927: Which Prez said this? "Somnath temple signifies that power of reconstruction is always greater than power of destruction". Ans: Babu Rajendra Prasad.

#DharmaQuiz 1928: Kashi Vishwanath temple was rebuilt (after destruction by Aurangzeb) in 1780 CE, by a Maratha queen. Name the brave lady. Ans: Ahalya bai Holkar, Queen of Indore.

#DharmaQuiz 1929: Krishna Janmasthan / Kesava Deo Temple rebuilt in 1965 long after Aurangzeb's destruction. Which industrialist rebuilt it? Ans: Jugal Kishore Birla of Birla group decided to take the leading role to fulfill the wishes of Malviyaji and formed a private trust in 1951 to which the rights of land were later transferred. Jaidayal Dalmia of Dalmia Group was another leading personality, who took untiring efforts and the temple was finally constructed over the site.

More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kesava_Deo_Temple#Present_Temple

{Final,Open till 10.00PM} #DharmaQuiz 1930: Name Sikh King who donated Kohinoor diamond to a Hindu temple that was plundered 18 times before. Ans: Maharajah Ranjit Singh to Odisha's Puri Jagannath temple. But the Kohinoor never made it to the temple for other reasons, and later British stole it.

Scores for session 308:

‏@vipulgupta1976 : 5

‏@Simuntweets : 4
@stormylook : 4
‏@rajeshrajput1 : 4

@Telugutalli : 3

@kirtweetz : 2
@AbhinavAhinav : 2
@girish_joshig : 2
@ankushraj29 : 2
@ksjha_ngp : 2

@ravideli : 1
@ravisonkusare : 1
‏@nirbhaavuka : 1
@debakanta87 : 1
@drarora_gaurav : 1
@AjitsinhJagirda : 1
‏@JpackJack : 1
@sanjayagrawal : 1
@psxyz : 1
‏@naonome : 1
‏@arunrush : 1
‏@mithlm88 : 1
@ashujoshi27 : 1
‏@sailezz : 1
@ambuj_patel : 1
@tresfool : 1
@vkdwivedi21 : 1
@mrsnrao : 1
@DeepeshLakhera : 1

Respect for the brave souls who have helped reclaim some of the damaged temples.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Theme: Hindu Dharma in Nepal

DharmaQuiz Session 307: 25-Nov-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1921: Pashupatinath temple in Nepal has been getting the chief priests for 100s of years from a south Indian state. Which one? Ans: Karnataka.

#DharmaQuiz 1922: What is the official national calendar of Nepal called?
Hint: Named after a famous Hindu emperor of India. Ans: Bikram Sambat, named after Emperor Vikramaditya.

#DharmaQuiz 1923: The name Nepal is derived from Ne-pala.
Pala in Sanskrit or Pali means "protected". Tell about "Ne". Ans: Ne is the Hindu sage upon whose name is the country named. Protected by sage Ne.

#DharmaQuiz 1924: This is Sita temple at her birth place Janakpur Dham in Nepal.
Which Indian state does it border? Ans: Sitamarhi district of Bihar.

Before 1962 Nepal flag

DQ 1924: Pic from trekearth

Today's Nepal flag

#DharmaQuiz 1925: Nepal's flag is the world's only non rectangular flag.
It has 2 of nine Navagrahas.Which 2? Ans: Surya and Chandra.

Scores for session 307:

‏@sankarbe : 5
@Simuntweets : 5
@MatruBhakt : 5

@Telugutalli : 4
@mdbiyani : 4

@sk__fan : 3
@SanghiBeerbal : 3
‏@stormylook : 3
@aloktg : 3

@AmatyaKautilya : 2
@mithlm88 : 2
@Chin512 : 2

@vsumanthkumar : 1
‏@anjaninandan : 1
@paivijay : 1
‏@vjchats : 1
‏@molarcannine : 1
‏@DrAsisAcharya : 1
@ganeshmahnar : 1
@prashantwa : 1
@kran8897 : 1
@nishu_a : 1
‏@BharatBhakta : 1
@elvi105 : 1
@NaMo__Bhakt : 1
@msranj10 : 1
@affable_sandy : 1
@kcrazy_4me : 1
@ravi_saraogi : 1
‏@rofelia09 : 1
@AnjaniShahi : 1
@ravindrahg : 1
@nandaakumar : 1
‏@puthrans : 1
@SwathiRagha : 1
@bezubaan : 1
@naikencore : 1
@kepalagudde : 1
@Dilipmys : 1
@bharatmelange : 1
‏@piyushkaul : 1
‏@Jag_HM : 1
@Shivkamath : 1
@MRVChennai : 1
@DarKAgeAbhijitH : 1
@chitralakshman : 1
@Chanakya_74 : 1
@rkedar1 : 1
@emanistnrn : 1
@maverickenator : 1
@ishuaadi : 1
@SrDPO : 1
@bharatmelange : 1
@VinayMysuru : 1
@Mamdhata : 1
@jhchopra : 1
@Vamsee9002 : 1
@IMeAndMine : 1
@homorationalis : 1
@SriAiyer2RS : 1

Hope we all learnt somethings new!

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Ancient India's contribution to mathematics and science

DharmaQuiz Session 306: 18-Nov-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1916:
1000 yrs bef Copernicus, an Indian showed earth is spherical: "Mrit jala shikhi vayumayo BHUGOLAH sarvato vrttah". Who? Ans: Arya Bhata in the Aryabhatiya – Chapter 4, verse 6
Meaning: The globe of earth stands suspended in space at the centre of a circular frame that is at the
centre of the Bhugola surrounded by the orbits of the planets; it is made of water, soil, fire and air and
is circular on all sides that is spherical.

More: http://yuvashakthichennai.wordpress.com/2013/10/02/

#DharmaQuiz 1917: An Indian calculated Earth's diameter as 1050 Yojanas (12715.5 KM) 1500 years ago - "Neela Bhu vyasa...". In which book? Ans: Arya bhateeya.

More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%80ryabha%E1%B9%AD%C4%ABya

#DharmaQuiz 1918: Laghu Bhaskareeya, a wonderful ancient Indian mathematics book was written during 629 CE. By which mathematician? Ans: Bhaskaracharya 1

#DharmaQuiz 1919: Shri Vateshwar Acharya wrote Vateshwar Siddhanta during 748 CE.
Which scientific topic does this book deal with? Ans: Astronomy.

{Final,Open till 10.00PM} #DharmaQuiz 1920: Brahmasputa Siddhanta written during 528 CE deals with quadratic equations. Who wrote it? Ans: Brahma Gupta.

Read more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Br%C4%81hmasphu%E1%B9%ADasiddh%C4%81nta

Watch this amazing video of Dr. N Gopala Krishnan to learn a lot about ancient India's contribution to mathematics and science. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yIoBsYNjHA
It's a gold mine of information.. Long video, but worth every minute!

Scores for session 306:

@Simuntweets : 5
@mdbiyani : 5
@sankarbe : 5

@karthikjana : 4
@stormylook : 4
@gurudath29 : 4

@Divakar31 : 2

@raghavendra3190 : 1
‏@SanghiBeerbal : 1
@jp_surat : 1

Explore further about the glorious science and maths heritage of India!

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Ramakrishna Matha

DharmaQuiz Session 305: 11-Nov-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1911: There are at least 10 schools of Vedanta philosophy.
Which one does Ramakrishna Matha follow? Ans: Advaita Vedanta.

#DharmaQuiz 1912: Is Belur Math, the parent house for all the sanyasis of Ramakrishna order, on the
western or eastern bank of Hoogly river? Ans: Western bank.

#DharmaQuiz 1913: Where is this beautiful Ramakrishna math?
{No, not the headquarters} Ans: Mylapore, Chennai, TN.

DQ 1913. From Wiki

#DharmaQuiz 1914: Vedanta Society building with a Trishul like symbol on top, in a pacific coast US city. Which city? Ans: San Francisco, CA.

DQ 1914. From Wiki

#DharmaQuiz 1915: Ramakrishna math's Sanskrit motto is "Atmano mokshartham jagaddhitaya cha". What does it mean? Ans: For the liberation of the Self and service to the society.

Scores for session 305:

@_shomy : 5
@stormylook : 5
@Manojakrishna : 5
@Tasmayi : 5

‏@vishchan : 4

@kepalagudde : 2

@vaiju7 : 1
@Aks9009Pa : 1
@ushamirra : 1
@ChennaiInsider : 1
@Suprith_rAo : 1
‏@anamika_99 : 1
‏@svelaga : 1
@satishmohite : 1
@molarcannine : 1
@philAmit : 1
@sumanthbharatha : 1
@sachinsvk : 1
@ravikumarhegde : 1
@Patishapta : 1
@mrkotians : 1
‏@acrajesh : 1
@Mamdhata : 1

Friday, October 31, 2014

Hindu population percentages across the world.

DQ 1906. Pic from Wiki

DharmaQuiz Session 304: 31-Oct-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1906: In one of the 22 republics in Russia, more than 2% of the population have become Hindus. Name it. Ans: Altai Republic

#DharmaQuiz 1907: Name one Arab country today, where Hindus form more than 5% of the resident population, including migrant workers. Ans: Oman 20%, Kuwait 6%, Qatar 7.2%, UAE 5% and Bahrain 6.25%.

#DharmaQuiz 1908: In terms of percentage of the country's population, name the country today that has the max percentage of Hindus. Ans: Nepal 81.3% (India, 80.5%).

#DharmaQuiz 1909: Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, and Suriname in south America, have large Hindu populations. Which 1 has the max % of Hindus? Ans: Guyana, with 28% Hindus.

#DharmaQuiz 1910: Which African country has the max percentage of Hindus? Mauritius or South Africa? Ans: Mauritius, which has 48% Hindus.

Answers to session 304:

@mdbiyani : 5

@Simuntweets : 4
@Telugutalli : 4
@MangoAdmi : 4

@MadusudhanR : 3

@drswapnilm : 2
‏@ProtectIndia : 2

‏@pandey_ashishkp : 1
@sudhirapai : 1
@kp8278 : 1
@harishshenoy1 : 1
@suresh97 : 1
@jayashreeravish : 1
@sbnIndia : 1
@GreatMind_Quote : 1
@vimaljaitly : 1
@navdesh50 : 1
@abhi2911 : 1
@stormylook : 1
@mitkon : 1
‏@SujnanNayak : 1
@rajnish821 : 1
@srinivasanands : 1
@TarunMaini3 : 1
@hrnaidu : 1
@abhicm03 : 1
‏@sunil_kumarpg : 1

Thanks for being a part of this today. Hindus should know more about Hindus who now reside on all the 6 continents outside Antarctica.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Deepawali or Diwali

DharmaQuiz Session 303: 21-Oct-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1901: Lord Krishna's wife killed Narakasura, on Naraka Chaturdashi day of Deepawali. Name her. Ans: Satyabhama.

#DharmaQuiz 1902: On 1 of the Deepawali days, some Hindus celebrate Bali Pratipada.
Name any non Deepawali festival where Bali is welcomed. Ans: Onam, in Kerala.

#DharmaQuiz 1903: Does Happy Dhanteras festival day during Diwali, occur before or after Amavasya? Ans: Before.

#DharmaQuiz 1904: Name a country on the South American continent, where Diwali is a national holiday. Ans: Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago or Suriname. Technically T & T are islands off the north of SA continent.

#DharmaQuiz 1905: Grandest event of 5 Day Diwali is Lakshmi's birth.
During which Puranic event was she born? Ans: Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean). @Individualist_ says, not born but manifested.

Scores for session 303:

@GuruCharan99 : 5
@mdbiyani : 5
@GayathriSrinath : 5
@CJoshi28 : 5
@MangoAdmi : 5
‏@arunz : 5
@Mamdhata : 5
@pramod_klr : 5
@mareekuree : 5
@Telugutalli : 5

@gboxam : 4
@sreekannoth : 4
@keshavaram : 4
@Tweelak : 4
@pandey_ashishkp : 4

@stormylook : 3
@krajthakkar : 3
@Simuntweets : 3

@nehjin8 : 2
@bhupinderpti : 2
@vschanna : 2
‏@Seek_self_truth : 2
@SwathiRagha : 2
@Lawan22 : 2

@acrajesh : 1
@narayanbpurohit : 1
@shegde63 : 2
@Maveric1128 : 1
@kapilsanvaliya : 1
‏@surecussam : 1
@rinku3009 : 1
‏@Anoopsri : 1
@TheJanamejaya : 1
‏@trueindian131 : 1
@patnaikt : 1
@acharya2 : 1
@AnupamkPandey : 1
@gandabherunda : 1
@ushamirra : 1
@saumya1985 : 1
@sibhaskaran : 1
@HarishankarSY : 1
@mrsnrao : 1
@prasad1654 : 1
@AmalPar : 1
‏@vjchats : 1
@ishuaadi : 1
‏@magaxiom : 1
@aravindan_krish : 1
@6amiji : 1
@ShivaKap : 1
‏@sun_pathak : 1

Happy Deepawali to all!

Friday, October 17, 2014

Theme: Hindu Scriptures

DharmaQuiz Session 302: 17-Oct-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1896: Is Ramcharitmanas older or Artha Shastra? Ans: Artha Shastra by Kautilya. Almost 2000 years older than Ramcharitmanas of Tulasidas.

#DharmaQuiz 1897: Which one of these is a Vaishnava purana?
Padma or Brahmanda. Ans: Padma.

#DharmaQuiz 1898: Name any one Itihasa (historical account) from Hindu scriptures.
Ans: Ramayana or Mahabharata.

#DharmaQuiz 1899: Is Mundaka upanishad that contains "Brahma vid Brahmaiva bhavati", a part of Yajur veda or Atharva veda? Ans: Atharva veda.

#DharmaQuiz 1900: Shrauta sutra and Smarta sutra, are a part of which of the six Vedangas? Ans: Kalpa.

Scores for session 302:

@sankarbe : 5
@Telugutalli : 5
@GuruCharan99 : 5

@AmatyaKautilya : 4

@PrinceArihan : 3
@Simuntweets : 3
@kepalagudde : 3

@nikhil__13 : 2
@deshi_mangoman : 2
@rajeshrajput1 : 2
@23nutty : 2

‏@Beingamby : 1

@ahmednkhan : 1
@sanya53 : 1
@Anirvachan : 1
‏@drarora_gaurav : 1
@Karmasura : 1
@anityakr : 1
@bapufromzalawad : 1
@srijai : 1
@ProtectIndia : 1
@SwathiRagha : 1
@rinku3009 : 1
‏@sudhirapai : 1
@TedhiLakeer : 1

Good show today.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Theme: Guru Shishya Parampara and Sampradaya

DharmaQuiz Session 301: 14-Oct-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1891: In Hindu sampradaya, Guru gives initiation to Shishya into a specific parampara. What's the Samskrita word for initiation? Ans: Diksha.

#DharmaQuiz 1892: Name the shishya of Adi Shankara, who started the Dwaraka pitha's Kitavala Guru- Shishya sampradaya. Ans: Hastamalaka Acharya.

#DharmaQuiz 1893: Name any one Vaishnava Guru-Shishya sampradaya that has been running for more than 500 years. Ans: Gaudiya sampradaya (Madhwacharya started it). Ramanandi sampradaya (Ramanujacharya a part of it). Pustimarga sampradaya (Vallabhacharya started it).

#DharmaQuiz 1894: Before Swaminarayan started Swaminarayan sampradaya under Guru Ramanand Swami, what was this sampradaya called? Ans: Uddhav Sampradaya.

{Final,Open till 10.00PM} #DharmaQuiz 1895: Name any 1 famous Guru, for whom temples exist, who did not belong to any traditional sampradaya. Ans: Shirdi Sai Baba, Narayana Guru, Puttaparthi Satya Sai Baba.

Answers to session 301:

‏@man8shree : 5

@Mamdhata : 4
@Simuntweets : 4
@GuruCharan99 : 4

@SwathiRagha : 3
@Telugutalli : 3
‏@anasrini : 3

‏@jgdanjesh : 2
@tanksalikv : 2

@_shomy : 1
@tmsatagoapan : 1
@ParambathP : 1
@aravozhukkam : 1
‏@ddpatel1120 : 1
@nityaism : 1
@iMumbaykar : 1
@schandrask : 1
@BogleSidha : 1
@Archana1207 : 1
@Eagleeye47 : 1
@vjchats : 1
@rajizm : 1
‏@raamss : 1
‏@yenkak : 1
@ParthiVasudev : 1
‏@anasrini : 1
@nikhil__13 : 1
@sharan070192 : 1

Shri Gurubhyo namah.. Harih om!

Friday, October 10, 2014

Hindu festivals in October 2014

DQ 1888. Pic from spiritualbangalore.com

DharmaQuiz Session 300: 10-Oct-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1886: This week we had the jayanti of Ramayana's writer.
Also, a famous Rajput princess famous for Rama/Krishna bhajans. Who? Ans: Meera

#DharmaQuiz 1887: Tomorrow is Karva Chauth.
According to Vikram Samvat calendar, which month's Krishna's paksha's 4th day is this festival? Ans: Kartik.

#DharmaQuiz 1888: Last Saturday was Jayanti of this philosopher from 13 century.
Considered Vayu's 3rd avatara.
Who? Ans: Madhwacharya

#DharmaQuiz 1889: A few days after Diwali, a famous sun worship puja happens in North India.
Name it. Ans: Chhath puja. @SaugataChaterje informs that it was started by Karna.

DQ 1889. Pic from Wiki

{Final,Open till 10.00PM} #DharmaQuiz 1890: 12 days from now is Naraka Chaturdashi. Krishna slayed a demon on this day. Name that asura. Ans: Narakasura.

Answers for session 300:

@ajaypawardr : 5
@karthikjana : 5
@KaushikRg : 5
@kishor_narayan : 5
@HarishankarSY : 5

@pramod_klr : 4
@stormylook : 4
‏@mdbiyani : 4
@rajeshrajput1 : 4

@Mamdhata : 3
@Simuntweets : 3
@DrShobha : 3
@supportnmforpm : 3
@drarora_gaurav : 3
@drswapnilm : 3
@meenabg : 3

@sarvankarthik6 : 2
@SnookyBangalore : 2
@JpackJack : 2

@BharatKandpal2 : 1
@skdeshpande : 1
@jgdanjesh : 1

@kiranGowda0007 : 1
@harishinamdar : 1
@trivedianupam : 1
@DeepeshLakhera : 1
@ARSHURPALI : 1
‏@deshi_mangoman : 1
@pankaj165 : 1
@NeenaSinha : 1
‏@Deipakk : 1
@ushamirra : 1
@VishnuDhanuka : 1
‏@Ashishkr101 : 1
@sandeepgandotra : 1
@pchaturved : 1
@SaugataChaterje : 1
‏@vschanna : 1
@aachedeen : 1
@basuhan9 : 1
@gppatil2281 : 1
@Prach82 : 1
@Suri_Sing : 1
@raghavendra3190 : 1
@TheArvindDhar : 1
@vasenvy : 1
@nikhil__13 : 1
@piyushkaul : 1
‏@peeyushmalhotra : 1
@sreekannoth : 1
@PoonamV_ : 1
‏@enlightend_mind : 1
@Earthlingum : 1

300 sessions of Dharmaquiz over 4 years!!

Congratulations to all the loyal participants. Thank you.

Friday, September 26, 2014

Theme: Shakti Peetha

DharmaQuiz Session 299: 26-Sep-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1881: Nearly 20% of Shakti Peethas for Devi are in one state of India. Which one?
Happy Navaratri. Ans: Poschim Bongo or West Bengal. 11 of 51.

#DharmaQuiz 1882: Name one Shakti Peetha for Maa Durga that is in Sri Lanka. Ans: Mainly, Indrakshi peetha at Nainativu (Manipallavam) in Sri Lanka.

#DharmaQuiz 1883: There's one famous Shakti Peetha in Pakistan, where the Goddess is called Kottari. In which province of Pakistan? Ans: Baluchistan. The place is Hinglaj.

#DharmaQuiz 1884: Devi is known as Dakshayani in this Shakti Peetha, north of India.
In which country and region today? Ans: Tibet in China. Manas sarovar place.

{Final,Open till 10.00PM} #DharmaQuiz 1885: Name one Shakti Peetha for Devi, which is also right next to a Jyotir Linga for Lord Shiva. Ans: Srisailam, AP. Also, Maa Jai Durga Shaktipeeth of Jharkhand can be found near Baba Vaidyanatha Jyotir Linga per @simuntweets

Scores for session 299:

‏@ajaypawardr : 5
@Simuntweets : 5
‏@mdbiyani : 5

@gboxam : 2
@chetankshet : 2

@dwivedikapil : 1
@ShirazHassan : 1
@tradetoday99 : 1
‏@VikramSanghi11 : 1
@junawani : 1
@pandey_ashishkp : 1
@ramesh_katte : 1
@mithlm10sg8 : 1
@ghruni : 1
@anilindia2020 : 1
‏@ajitmyth : 1
@IMeAndMine : 1
@ppani76 : 1

Jai Maa Durge!

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Universities with Sanskrit Motto

DharmaQuiz Session 298: 16-Sep-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1876: Which university has this motto?
"Yukti hina vicharetu,
dharmahnih prajayate"
(Judgment devoid of logic
destroys dharma)

Ans: West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences. Also National Law School Bangalore (not a university).

#DharmaQuiz 1877: Krishna says in Gita, “Yogah karmasu kaushalam” (Yoga is excellence at work).
Which Indian university has this as motto? Ans: Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), also referred to as NIT Nagpur. Also, Uttar Pradesh Technical University, Indian Institute of
Technology Kharagpur, Gujarat university.

#DharmaQuiz 1878: कर्मणि व्यज्यते प्रज्ञा / Karmaṇi Vyajyate Prajna - from the Panchatantra is the motto of a state university. Which one?
Ans: University of Kerala (UoK).

For DQ 1878. Image from Wiki

#DharmaQuiz 1879: "Buddhih sarvatra bhrajate" = Wisdom shines forth everywhere, is the motto of a university outside India. Which one? Ans: University of Colombo.

#DharmaQuiz 1880: Which North Eastern University has the Taittiriya Upanishad's motto -> "vijnanam yajnam tanute" ? Ans: Tezpur University, Asom.

DQ 1880. Image from Wiki

Scores for Session 298:

@mdbiyani : 5
@man8shree : 5

@prashanthpraj : 1
@SnookyBangalore : 1
@davcolor : 1
@jadithyareddy : 1
@mast_manav : 1
‏@vkdwivedi21 : 1
@KSVSUBRAMANIAN : 1

Friday, September 12, 2014

Buddha and Buddhism

DharmaQuiz Session 297: 12-Sep-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1871: Apart from Siddharta Gautama, give one other famous name of Buddha. Ans: Shakyamuni as he was from Shakya family. Also, Tathagata and Dipankara considered.

#DharmaQuiz 1872: When Buddhism went to China from India, China already had a well developed family oriented religion/ philosophy. Name that. Ans: Confucianism. But Taoism is also considered.

#DharmaQuiz 1873: What was the name for "Zen" in China, before that form of Buddhism reached Japan? Ans: Chan.

#DharmaQuiz 1874: Which is the oldest surviving branch of Buddhism? It translates to English as
"teaching of the elders". Ans: Theravada. In Sanskrit: स्थविरवाद and in Pali: थेरवाद.

#DharmaQuiz 1875: What was Buddha's only son's name? Ans: Rahula.

Scores for session 297:

@Simuntweets : 5
@meenabg : 5

@ramitmkaul : 2
@punam1punam : 2
@PulivendulaK : 2
@tradetoday99 : 2

@R_Bhartiya : 1
‏@keshavaram : 1
@ramesh_katte : 1
@patnaikt : 1
@deshi_mangoman : 1
@IndianKashmiri : 1
@eternit96426605 : 1
@A31X64Vijay : 1
@VedanshKanojia : 1
‏@sidsun2013 : 1
@sonitarun1 : 1
@ganeshmahnar : 1
@nandaakumar : 1
@AjithRamanath : 1
@maulik_doshi : 1
@peeyushmalhotra : 1
@HerrBains : 1
@a_gopinathan : 1
@mamtakejriwal75 : 1
‏@Susri1210 : 1
@shashipratap85 : 1
@immanishgupta : 1
@anamika_99 : 1

Have a good weekend.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Hindu Festivals in September 2014

DharmaQuiz Session 296: 9-Sep-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1866: Anant Chaturdashi is the day when Ganesha murtis are immersed in water.
It's also last day of Paryushana. For whom? Ans: Jains.

#DharmaQuiz 1867: Per Hindu lunar calendar, right now we are in Pitru Paksha.
On which day does Pitru Paksha end? Ans: Mahalaya Amavasya.

#DharmaQuiz 1868: During Pitru Paksha, pinda daana is given to ancestors.
What is pinda? Ans: Ball of rice.

DQ: 1868. Pic: bharatdiscovery.org

#DharmaQuiz 1869: Puja of a god, will be held this week. Who's this divine architect? Ans: Vishwakarma.

#DharmaQuiz 1870: What's the name of the Ekadashi that comes in Bhadrapada Krishna paksha, during pitru paksha? Ans: Ananda Ekadashi per Shalivahana Shaka and Indira Ekadashi per Vikrama Shaka.

Answers for session 296:

@SamitLive : 5
@surnell : 5

@dharadhar : 4
‏@NilimaNilimas : 4
@man8shree : 4
@durgaramdas : 4

@vjchats : 3

@sudhica84 : 2
@hegde_anirudh : 2
@BihariView : 2

@ppani76 : 1
@Wiseywoman : 1
@sud_roy : 1
@balaijk : 1
@alisaspeaks : 1
@chweetdeepak : 1
@deshi_mangoman : 1
@AmalPar : 1
@Tan_Tripathi : 1
@AbhaySDube : 1
@ganeshmahnar : 1
‏@Meenu_71 : 1
@mithlm10sg8 : 1
@Asach4 : 1
@Rohit_Nagda : 1
‏@Raghav_Uvaach : 1
@nikhil__13 : 1
@BharatKandpal2 : 1
‏@A31X64Vijay : 1
@asurabhi : 1
@SanthoshPPrabhu : 1
@surendaradla : 1
@tradetoday99 : 1
‏@Aamchigele : 1
@ravigupta00 : 1
@Moskvaa : 1

Thanks for participating. Take away from this quiz. Learn the exact differences between various Hindu calendars. There are at least 7 of them!

Friday, September 5, 2014

King maker Gurus of Indian history

DharmaQuiz Session 295: 5-Sep-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1861: Vijayanagara empire was started by 2 shepherds Hakka & Bukka.
Their Guru was Vidyaranya. Which matha's Jagadguru was he? Ans: Sringeri Sharada Matha. Between 1380 and 1386 CE at his ripe old age. Vijayanagara was started in 1336.

#DharmaQuiz 1862: Chandragupta Maurya built empire till Persia.
Which University's Economics professor was his Guru? Ans: Takshashila university's Economics and
Politics professor, Vishnu Gupta, aka., Chanakya. Later Chankya established the Nalanda University.

#DharmaQuiz 1863: Samarth Ramdas, the great Guru of Chhatrapati Shivaji, was born on a famous Hindu festival. Which festival? Ans: Rama Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama. Ramdas was a great devotee of Rama and Hanuman.

#DharmaQuiz 1864: One of the greatest ancient buildings, Brihadeshwara temple,was by Raja Raja Chola. Who was his Guru?

Ans: Karuvurar Siddhar.

{Final,Open till 10.00PM} #DharmaQuiz 1865: The greatest Rashtrakuta emperor, Amoghavarsha (Nripatunga) ruled for 64 yrs. Who was his Guru? Ans: Jinasena.

Scores for session 295:

@kishor_narayan : 5
@surnell : 5
‏@pramod_klr : 5

@Gbhat_RW : 4
@ARSHURPALI : 4

@deshi_mangoman : 2
@stormylook : 2
@DrPannagDesai : 2

@pavithrabr : 1
@topblogger1 : 1
@douknowjohnny : 1
@ksinamdar : 1
‏@champakChampion : 1
@tradetoday99 : 1
@imharshp : 1
@ArjunN92 : 1
@athreyaa : 1
@GururajPatil7 : 1
@Aravindshilpa : 1
@drswapnilm : 1
@AbhaySDube : 1
@Panchajanyaa : 1
@thirumalraja : 1
‏@Suprith_rAo : 1

Don't you wish we learned about these great Gurus and their contribution to Bharat in much more detail, than today's school books?

Good night!

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Bhagavad Gita

DharmaQuiz Session 294: 19-Aug-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1856: What's the name of the longest chapter in Krishna's eternal preaching for human kind, the Bhagavad Gita? Ans: Chapter 18, Moksha Sanyasa Yoga.

#DharmaQuiz 1857: In which chapter of Bhagavad Gita, does Lord Krishna display to Arjuna, his cosmic form or Vishwarupa? Ans: Chapter 11, Vishwarupa Darshana Yoga.

#DharmaQuiz 1858: Name one person from Mahabharata other than Arjuna, to whom Krishna had displayed his universal cosmic form or Vishwarupa. Ans: These are the names I have read from varous sources -> Sanjaya, Dhritarashtra (the only time he gets his vision momentarily), Yashoda (foster mother), Duryodhana (before Kurukshtra war, as a messenger of Pandavas), Vidura (Krishna visiting his house), Bhishma (while waiting for death on arrow bed), Karna (at the time of death in battlefield), Akrura (Kamsa's emissary), Utanga, Narada, birth parents Devaki & Vasudeva (in the jail when born) too.

#DharmaQuiz 1859: Which Yoga among 18 in Bhagavad Gita (chapters), explains Sthita Prajna (the one who has absolute control over senses)? Ans: Sankhya Yoga, Chapter 2.

{Final,Open till 10.00PM} #DharmaQuiz 1860: In Gita, apart from Arjuna & Krishna, who are the others being a part of conversation (uvacha)? Ans: Sanjaya and Dhritarashtra. Only four people from
Mahabharata are in conversation during the entire 18 Yogas or chapters of Bhagavad Gita.

Ans for session 294:

@NilimaNilimas : 5
@durgaramdas : 5
@pavanaja : 5
@iParamanand : 5
@siribhatta : 5
@vipulgupta1976 : 5

@man8shree : 4
@rajeshrajput1 : 4
@Sunil_Rao_MS : 4
@chetankshet : 4

@shyamddeore : 3
‏@peeyushmalhotra : 3

@TheRajarshi : 2
@nikhil_tikmani : 2
@kushleshsharma : 2
@bhupinderpti : 2
@SanmitraK1 : 2

@ajegowda : 1
@atulkoolkarni : 1
@sahasrajith_ks : 1
@AmitaroraDr : 1
@helloraajitha : 2
@anoopchandra9 : 1
@vigneshshanbhag : 1
@vikasbsingh : 1
@akshri_250 : 1
@vidisha_24 : 1
@NarayanSanath : 1
@Umeshkumarr26 : 1
@_p_k_m : 1
@Shrimaan : 1
@Kamal_Khilega : 1
‏@AmitIntruder : 1
@SriAiyerRS11 : 1
@gunturmaverick : 1
‏@rinku3009 : 1
@SnookyBangalore : 1
@srijai : 1
@sankarbe : 1
@upma23 : 1
@valmikii : 1
@devadas1967 : 1
‏@ulta_chashma : 1
@vinod_gowda : 1
‏@SaurishReddy : 1
@ProudDilliwala : 1
@deshi_mangoman : 1
@vishal_jamuar : 1
@surykant2612 : 1
@Kesavaprakash : 1
@gandabherunda : 1
@vikasdixit1984 : 1
@deepaknagar : 1
@Sukesh2232 : 1
‏@ispastwadi : 1
‏@swapnilXlogic : 1
@sanjaybansal20 : 1
‏@RAVINDRARAMA : 1
@DonAmit : 1
@akshri_250 : 1
@AzadHindFauji : 1
‏@vishaldwivedi6 : 1
‏@keshavaram : 1
‏@adarshdgp : 1

Jai Shri Krishna!

27 Hindu Nakshatras

DharmaQuiz Session 293: 12-Aug-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1851: Out of the 27 Nakshatras or stars as a part of Hindu panchanga or astrology, which one translates as "Deer's head"? Ans: Mriga Shira.

#DharmaQuiz 1852: Out of the 27 Nakshatras of Hindu panchanga which one translates as "the eldest"? Ans: Jyeshtha.

#DharmaQuiz 1853: Out of the 27 Nakshatras of Hindu panchanga what does Shatabisha mean? Ans:
Comprising of a hundred physicians.

#DharmaQuiz 1854: If a girl is born in this nakshatra of Hindu panchanga, she's usually married to a
home without father-in-law. Which star? Ans: Mula, "the root". The belief is that after marriage, the
father in law of the bride would soon die.

{Final,Open till 10.00PM} #DharmaQuiz 1855: Pushya nakshatra is linked to Rama and Sita.
Name one event of their lives in that nakshatra. Ans: Sita was born per some, and Rama and Sita were married in this nakshatra per some other astrologers.

Scores for session 293:
Did not note. Sorry.

Friday, August 8, 2014

Maha Lakshmi

DharmaQuiz Session 292: 8-Aug-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1846: Devi Lakshmi is praised in Vedas as "padma maalini". What does Padmamaalini mean? #VaraMahaLakshmi Ans: The one who wears a garland of lotus flowers.

#DharmaQuiz 1847: Goddess Lakshmi is often referred as Hiranyavarnaa and Adityavarnaa.
What does the Aditya Varnaa mean? Ans: Resplendent like the sun.

#DharmaQuiz 1848: This Ashta Lakshmi temple is 10 KM outside a big South Indian metro.
Which city? Ans: Hyderabad. 12 KM from Nampally.


DQ: 1848

#DharmaQuiz 1849: This Bharat Ratna was famous for singing one of the most famous Lakshmi songs. In which language? Ans: Kannada

DQ 1849

Here is the rendering:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tdYY6lUw9g

#DharmaQuiz 1850: Today is #VaraMahaLakshmi vrata. First performed by Parvati. Who told her to do this puja? Ans: Lord Shiva.

Read more about the Vedic Shri Sukta praising Goddess Lakshmi here, with meaning:
http://www.puja.net/wordpress/sri-suktam-rig-veda-mantra-for-lakshmi/

Answers to session 292:

@pramod_klr : 5
@KaushikRg : 5
‏@surnell : 5
@RakeshChouhan : 5

@chetankshet : 4
@GayathriSrinath : 4
@tradetoday99 : 4
@gboxam : 4
@vish_was_is : 4
@MangoAdmi : 4

@bezubaan : 3

‏@kakdwip : 2
@omprakashcaims : 2

@ashokagarwal : 1
@SaffronShirt : 1
@skdeshpande : 1
@Vamsee9002 : 1
@chand_andas : 1
@atul_speaks : 1
@praveenk333 : 1
@sapana_almelkar : 1
@Dm12Sanyal : 1
@anamika_99 : 1
@nandaakumar : 1
‏@sankarbe : 1
@Viswajgd : 1
@Ramgopaljgd : 1
@hegde_anirudh : 1
@sumanthagowda : 1
@ngc1729 : 1
@peeyushmalhotra : 1
@gkamath07 : 1
@nrkoranne : 1
@ReMeeer : 1

Pictures: holidayiq.com and ytimg.com

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Hindu Temples On River Banks

DharmaQuiz Session 291: 5-Aug-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1841: Name this upanadi or tributary of Krishna river, on whose bank is a very famous Vithala temple. Ans: Bhima or Chandrabhaga river. Pandharapur kshetra.

#DharmaQuiz 1842: This river is one of the headstreams of Ganga, on whose bank is a peetha re-established by Adi Shankara. Name the river. Ans: Alaknanda. Badrinath peetha.

#DharmaQuiz 1843: This desert like place in south India that is famous for its pancha linga (5 linga) darshana is on which river's bank? Ans: Kaveri. Talakadu pancha linga darshana.

#DharmaQuiz 1844: There's a famous Rama temple in the south East of India, where Rama and Sita supposedly visited. On which river's bank? Ans: Godavari. Bhadrachalam temple.

#DharmaQuiz 1845: A Jyotir Linga in central India is on an Om shaped island. On which major river's bank? Ans: Narmada. Omkareshwar temple.

Scores for session 291:

@hchaturv : 5
@abhipar7 : 5
@durgaramdas : 5
@mareekuree : 5

@chetankshet : 4
@vipulgupta1976 : 4
@mrsnrao : 4
@gboxam : 4

@keshavaram : 3
@CJoshi28 : 3

@harishinamdar : 2
@kirtweetz : 2
@kushleshsharma : 2

@prasca : 1
@DeepeshLakhera : 1
@srinivasanands : 1
@aseemcam : 1
@ratnakarkulkarn : 1
@RakeshChouhan : 1
@rohitsamvada : 1
@shreyasms : 1
@Eagleeye47 : 1
@DrSatyaSaraswat : 1

Thanks for participating!

Friday, August 1, 2014

Nava Nagas - Naga Panchami

DharmaQuiz Session 290: 1-Aug-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1836: Which of the 9 famous Nagas was a part of Samudra Manthan, and also worn by Lord Shiva around his neck? #NagaPanchami Ans: Vasuki.

#DharmaQuiz 1837: Which of the 9 famous Nagas was killed by Lord Krishna, and it attained moksha? Ans: Kaliya or Kalinga. But Aghasura also considered.

#DharmaQuiz 1838: Who was the ancestral mother of all famous Nagas? She was the daughter of Prajapati Daksha. Ans: Kadru

#DharmaQuiz 1839: Lord Vishnu, the sustainer of Brahma's creation, is resting over which of the 9 great Nagas? Ans: Sesha.

#DharmaQuiz 1840: One of the 9 Nagas had to flee Kurukshetra area and settle in Taksha Shila. Who? Ans: Takshaka

Scores for session 290:

@ravighiyar : 5
‏@durgaramdas : 5
@Sunil_Rao_MS : 5
@Tasmayi : 5
@PrachinVaani : 5
@ksmsundaram1975 : 5
@KaushikRg : 5
@ProtectIndia : 5
@deshi_mangoman : 5
@abhipar7 : 5
@pramod_klr : 5

@vipulgupta1976 : 4
@Bengalur_Huduga : 4

@Mamdhata : 2
@SonalShriv : 2

@MyViews_MyIdeas : 1
@DelRastogi : 1
@gdthot : 1
@sumanthagowda : 1
@anantharajutm : 1
@shyamddeore : 1
@bashbangalore : 1
‏@ajegowda : 1
@AnupamkPandey : 1
‏@noop_1882 : 1
@rohitsamvada : 1
@rohitkumarnath : 1
@akshri_250 : 2
‏@Mamdhata : 1
@dubey2812 : 1
@SanthoshPPrabhu : 1
‏@A31X64Vijay : 1
‏@ShrinivasRJoshi : 1
@Rasraj : 1

Regarding Kaliya, there are different versions. Keep reading them in Mahabharata for a better understanding. I am also learning.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Famous philosophers of India.

DharmaQuiz Session 289: 22-July-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1831: In which place did the the famous 12th century philosopher and reformer, Basavanna, die (Aikya)? Ans: Kudala Sangama, Karnataka.

#DharmaQuiz 1832: The great philosopher Sri Aurobindo's "Savitri" is based on which Hindu Itihasa
(epic)? Ans: Mahabharata.

#DharmaQuiz 1833: Name this 16th century Hindu reformer and philosopher, who started the "Vasudeva Sanstha" movement (house to house bhajan) Ans: Eknath.

#DharmaQuiz 1834: Thakur Jaidev Singh was a philosopher and chief producer of AIR. He was an expert on Shaivism. Of which region's Shaivism? Ans: Kashmiri Shaivism.

{Final,Open till 10.30PM} #DharmaQuiz 1835: Mandana Mishra, philosopher 1200 yrs ago, got what name after becoming Adi Shankara's shishya? Ans: Sureshwara Acharya.

Scores of session 289:

@jitvg : 5
@pramod_klr : 5
@arunz : 5
@abhipar7 : 5
@man8shree : 5
@GuruCharan99 : 5

@3f58ee17d4d34bb : 2
@tradetoday99 : 2
@ajaypawardr : 2

@mrsnrao : 1
@surnell : 1
@seshasivasailam : 1
@manjumca34 : 1
@Hindu_Extremist : 1

Hope we learnt a bit more on the famous souls who guided us!

Friday, July 18, 2014

Hinduism in Myanmar (Burma)

DharmaQuiz Session 288: 18-July-2014

#DharmaQuiz 1826: Where is this ancient temple within Myanmar (Burma), which has eight Brahma's on outside walls? Ans: Nanpaya temple, Bagan.

DQ 1826. Pic: asiaexplorers.com

#DharmaQuiz 1827: Myanmar used a Sanskrit word for the "head of the state" title. Even Japanese endorsed it in 1940s.
What's the title? Ans: Adhipati (Adipati)

#DharmaQuiz 1828: A scene from drama enacting what is termed as Myanmar's national epic.
What's the name of epic? : Ans: Yama Zatdaw or Yamayana, an adaptation of Ramayana. Rama is termed Yama here. Sita is Thida. Lakshmana is Lakhana and Hanuman is Hanuman.

DQ 1828: Pic: Wiki

#DharmaQuiz 1829: Myanmar has a Goddess named "Thuyathadi", an adaptation of a famous Hindu Goddess/ Devi. Who? Ans: Saraswati.

DQ 1829: Pic: blogspot

#DharmaQuiz 1830: There's a 1000 year old Vishnu temple in Myanmar/Burma. Where? Ans: Bagan. Nathlaung Kyaung temple with 10 avataras of Vishnu all around.

DQ 1830: Pic: travelmyanmar.net

Scores for session 288:

@KaushikRg : 5

@lodyaashi : 3
@conphucius : 2
@anandakonar : 2

@Lata_MV : 1
@rajeshrajput1 : 1
‏@sambapatnaik : 1
@durgaramdas : 1
@Gooli_here : 1
@SunilTapashetti : 1
‏@SrDPO : 1

Nice seeing some attempts for a tough session on Myanmar. Thanks.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

DharmaQuiz Session 287: 15-July-2014

Theme: Yoga Sutras - Yama and Niyama part

#DharmaQuiz 1821: Steya means stealing. Name one of the five Yama's that talk about non-stealing.
#Yoga Ans: Asteya

#DharmaQuiz 1822: Self Study or Swadhyaya is a very important part of #Yoga Sutras. Does it fall under Yama or Niyama? Ans: Niyama.

#DharmaQuiz 1823: Name one of the five Yama's that prescribe Compassion for all living beings.
#Yoga Ans: Ahimsa

#DharmaQuiz 1824: Ishwara Pranidhaana - ईश्वर-प्रणिधान is one vital part of #Yoga Sutras.
What does it mean? Ans: To lay all your actions at the feet of Ishwara, or God. Essentially means
submission similar to concepts in Islam and Christianity, but much before them.

{Final,Open till 10.30PM} #DharmaQuiz 1825: Brahmacharya = abstinence.
But #Yoga prescribes it to married ppl also. What does it mean then? Ans: Keeping sexual energy limited to legally sanctioned family circle and not to waste outside.

Scores for session 287:

‏@surnell : 5
@mareekuree : 5
@man8shree : 5

@Mamdhata : 2

‏@vvkashyap : 1
@RashtraDevobhav : 1
@duvijan : 1
‏@irvathoor : 1
@gouripathy : 1
@poetrification : 1
@SPHEREHEADSAYS : 1
@gjayendra1311 : 1

Thanks for participating.

Friday, July 11, 2014

DharmaQuiz Session 286: 11-July-2014

Theme: Foreign born Hindus or Hindu admirers.

#DharmaQuiz 1816:
Born in California, USA.
Founded Hinduism Today.
Founded an ashram in Hawaii, USA.
Name this Guru.

Ans: Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, born Robert Hansen

DQ 1816. Pic: Wiki

#DharmaQuiz 1817:
Born in Leuven, Belgium.
A strong advocate for Hindu revivalism in the West.
Name this historian.
Ans: Dr. Koenraad Elst.

DQ 1817. Pic: Samvada.org

#DharmaQuiz 1818:
Born in County Tyrone, Ireland.
1st Western woman to be received into a Hindu monastic order.
Who?
Ans: Sister Nivedita, born as Margaret Noble.

DQ 1818. Pic: Wiki

#DharmaQuiz 1819:
Born in Massachusetts,USA.
Expert singer of Hindu devotional songs like Endaro Mahanubhavulu.
Who?
Ans: John B Higgins or Higgins Bhagavathar.


DQ 1819. Pic: thehindu.com

#DharmaQuiz 1820:
Born in Senya Beraku, Ghana.
First Hindu swami of African ancestry.
Who?
Ans: Swami Ghananda Saraswati, born Kwesi Ninson.

DQ 1820. Pic: Twitter

Scores for session 286:

‏@pramod_klr : 5
@mareekuree : 5
@durgaramdas : 5

@tndsr : 3

@AgentSaffron : 2
‏@hemster : 2

@RajaChaama : 1
‏@Yaba_dabadoo : 1
@SreeIyer1 : 1
@sudhirapai : 1
@Kannan9900 : 1
@harish85228184 : 1
@kaushalrucha : 1
‏@svbadri : 1
@MadusudhanR : 1
@SriAiyerRS11 : 1
@_MSKR : 1
@rohitkumarnath : 1
@buzzindelhi : 1
@acharya2 : 1
@hoveringfalcon : 1
@Booombaastic : 1
@ddeb30 : 1
@poetrification : 1
@ponkumar : 1
‏@DrPannagDesai : 1

Hope you enjoyed and learned in the process!

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

DharmaQuiz Session 285: 8-July-2014

Theme: Various Hindu Pujas.

#DharmaQuiz 1811: What's the name of this puja wherein young girls are worshiped as the embodiment of mother Goddess? Ans: Kanya Puja or Virgin Girl Child Worship.

DQ 1811: Pic thiagarajabhavanam.org

#DharmaQuiz 1812: What's the name of this Puja, wherein all the weapons and livelihood tools/devices are worshiped? Ans: Ayudha Puja or Shastra Puja, during Sharat Navaratri. Vishwa karma puja is also considered.

DQ 1812. Pic: thehindu.com

#DharmaQuiz 1813: This puja widely happens on a Purnima day. What's this puja of a life's guide, called? Ans: Guru Puja on Guru Purnima (full moon day)

DQ 1813. Pic: wordpress

#DharmaQuiz 1814: During a special occasion at home a cow (and calf) worshiped & let inside. When is that puja done? Ans: Primarily Griha Pravesha or house warming. But also on Gow Chauth and Bali Padyami during Deepavali.

DQ 1814. Pic: petermalakoff.jalbum.net

#DharmaQuiz 1815: Hindus worship various trees/plants. Which one is termed "Vriksha Raja"? Ans: Ashwattha, Bodhi, Peepul tree or Ficus religiosa L.

DQ 1815. Pic: shivallibrahmins.com

Scores for session 285:

@Susri1210 : 5
@durgaramdas : 5
@tndsr : 5
@GayathriSrinath : 5
@pramod_klr : 5
@SamitLive : 5
@sushmahari : 5

@Sunil_Rao_MS : 4
@lodyaashi : 4
@vipulgupta1976 : 4
@CAPMohan : 4
@yesbabunni : 4
@mareekuree : 4
@kiranGowda0007 : 4
@gboxam : 4

@ProtectIndia : 3
@drarora_gaurav : 3
@bhaskar1918 : 3
@AmatyaKautilya : 3
@mrsnrao : 3
@oojnas : 3
@SrDPO : 3

@TiruppurTamil : 2
@Govind1603 : 2
@raamss : 2
@bgnraju : 2
@rahul07b : 2
@gpkotekar1 : 2
@hanumantweets : 2
@rt_abad : 2
@pdthakkar : 2

@saishyam_k : 1
@thapateros : 1
@vishaldwivedi6 : 1
@shankarkumaran : 1
@rt_abad : 1
@HelpAHindu : 1
@nimesh_nagar : 1
@Jooran2 : 1
@ravichandrabr : 1
@anandrk77 : 1
@sandeshats : 1
@adarshdgp : 1
@jitendramehta70 : 1
@piyush1062 : 1
@AtulyaJena : 1
@Supreeth_Ckm : 1
@sumat_patel : 1
@subbbugokarna : 1
@SonunigamsingH : 1
@samba3thy : 1
@vikramkg : 1
@rswaminatri : 1
@nanditathhakur : 1
@ImInAntariksh : 1
@balamy : 1
@Lalliuns : 1
@BJPMember8 : 1
@msvikram : 1
@jayarajmathews : 1
@drsc90 : 1
@wtfex : 1
@kalyanaram1 : 1
@talismaan : 1
@nnijagal : 1
@praveenchandr8n : 1
@BhagwanUvach : 1
@rpmkarthi : 1
@NilimaNilimas : 1
@skdeshpande : 1
@balamy : 1
@Sravan : 1
@prafullsaraf : 1
@rohitkumarnath : 1
@ibhupeshrai : 1
@rajeshrajput1 : 1
@akandpal : 1
@raghumedicon : 1
@yelvee : 1
@kadian_anurag : 1

Thanks for participating in big numbers!

Friday, June 27, 2014

DharmaQuiz Session 284: 27-June-2014

Theme: Tirthankaras of Jainism and their symbols.

#DharmaQuiz 1806: Swastika is a symbol of which of the 24 Shvetambara Jain Tirthankaras?
Ans: Suparshwanatha.

#DharmaQuiz 1807: Which of the 24 Tirthankaras of Jainism had Mahisha or Buffalo as the lanchana (symbol)? Ans: Vasupujya

#DharmaQuiz 1808: What was the symbol of Chandra Natha Jina Tirthankara? Ans: Crescent or Ardha Chandra.

DQ 1808: Pic: jainworld.com

#DharmaQuiz 1809: Who was the first Tirthankara of Jain tradition of 24 Tirthankaras?
Ans: Rishabha.

{Final,Open till 10.30PM} #DharmaQuiz 1810: Which of the 24 Tirthankaras of Jain tradition (icon of ahimsa) has lion or Simha as a symbol? Ans: Mahavira.

Read more on this topic: http://pachpadra.com/Tirthankar.php

Scores for session 282:

@vndsr14 : 5
@lodyaashi : 1
@pramod_klr : 5

@mamtan14 : 4
@SnookyBangalore : 4

@kunalkothary : 3
@Monika_jain17 : 3

@amitsinghai16 : 1
‏@RamnathAnanth : 1
@chutiya_paa : 1
@drarora_gaurav : 1
@rishirajlahiri : 1
@bhandarihant31 : 1
@RakeshChouhan : 1
@acharya2 : 1
@rajeshkupadhyay : 1
@ashwanijain05 : 1
@_shomy : 1
@deshi_mangoman : 1
@YutikaBharadwaj : 1
‏@Saaamrii : 1
‏@aajnachakra : 1
@LuharSen : 1
@AnirudhaLimaye : 1

See you next week!