DharmaQuiz

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

DharmaQuiz Session 150: 24-Jul-2012

Theme: Asom or Assam.

Are majority of Asom's Hindus Shaivas or Vaishnavas? #DharmaQuiz 1106. Ans: Vaishnavas.
The most important cultural and social events of Asom are the Bihu festivals. How many Bihus usually celebrated in a year? #DharmaQuiz 1107. Ans: Three.
During the Bishuba Sankranti period, Bagurumba, a folk dance is performed by this famous tribe of Asom. Name the tribe. #DharmaQuiz 1108. Ans: Bodo Tribe.
In Asom, two important cultural and religious institutions exist. The Satras and the Naamghars. What are Naamghars? #DharmaQuiz 1109. Ans: Village house of prayers.
{Final, Open till 11PM} A 15th century Asom Vaishnava saint created Sattriya, one of India's 8 classical dances. Name him. #DharmaQuiz 1110. Ans: Srimanta Sankardeva.

Top Scorers:

@sharad_51 : 5
@iSumitRk : 5
@sweetandu : 5
@a_adarsh : 5
@mareekuree : 5
@sharathinindia : 5
@iSaakshi : 5
@DevNakshi : 5
@rahulghildiyal : 5

Congrats to:

@bigvjp : 4
@TheArvindDhar : 4
@anandt_05 : 4

@vschanna : 3
@__Alka : 3
@Dhanushm : 3

@Youhu_Tarazu : 2
@subodh1945 : 2

@bezubaan : 1
@ElangoMaran : 1
@goldenarcher : 1
@keerthinarayan8 : 1

Thanks to all participants in Dharma Quiz for making us achieve this 150th session milestone. Without your passionate support, this would not have happened.

Keep it going!

DharmaQuiz Session 149: 17-Jul-2012

Theme: Sanskrit Grammar

2400 year old book Ashthadhyayi, eclipsed earlier Sanskrit grammar schools. Name the author: a) Garga b) Panini c) Atri. #DharmaQuiz 1101. Ans: b) Panini.
This Sanskrit grammarian, author of Mahabhashya, shares name with a Yoga legend. Name him: d) Manu. e) Indra f) Patanjali. #DharmaQuiz 1102. Ans: f) Patanjali.
vyakaraNa or grammar, is one of the 6 ancient Dharmic disciplines. Which discipline? g) Vedanga. h) Purana. i) Agnihotra. #DharmaQuiz 1103. Ans: g) Vedanga.
This famous Chinese Buddhist monk documented Indian Sanskrit Grammar tradition. Who? j) Wa Ching. k) Qu Mong. l) Xuanzang. #DharmaQuiz 1104. Ans: Xuanzang. Read more -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xuanzang
{Final, Open till 11 PM} This very ancient Sanskrit Grammarian lived near Peshawar, Pakistan, 2800 yrs ago. Name him: m) Nagarjuna n) Garga. o) Saakatyaana. #DharmaQuiz 1105. Ans: o) Saakatyaana.

Top Scorers:

@pkagrawala : 5
@rahulghildiyal : 5
@vschanna : 5
@asraghunath : 5
@abhipar7 : 5
@MetalDew : 5
@bhijeetD : 5
@anandt_05 : 5
@iSumitRk : 5
@pvaidyaraj : 5
@sharathinindia : 5
@iSaakshi : 5
@sweetandu : 5
@agenthunt : 5
@DevNakshi : 5

Congrats to:

@voxindica : 4
@ranganaathan : 4

@Rasraj : 3
@hindu_tweeter : 3
@kalyan_sk3011 : 3

@octotus : 2
@Hitlerbai : 2
@dimpsdawns : 2
@ashutoshkulkar1 : 2

@nandakumarm : 1
@keerthinarayan8 : 1
@vga_sagar : 1
@_GheTa : 1
@The_Rocktor : 1
@shyamendra : 1
@jemin_p : 1
@sandeepsmysore : 1
@hindu_rashtra : 1
@bhattvihang : 1
@udgeetha : 1
@mayaadvaita : 1
@ulatyabomba : 1

Thanks for your participation!

Friday, July 13, 2012

DharmaQuiz Session 148: 13-Jul-2012

Theme: Surya Bhagawan or Sun God

What's the name of Surya Bhagawan's (Sun God) mother? #DharmaQuiz 1096. Ans: Aditi.
Name any one of Surya Bhagawan's sons. #DharmaQuiz 1097. Ans. Yama, Shani or Karna.
Name any one Dharmic festival, that is primarily dedicated to Surya Bhagawan's worship. #DharmaQuiz 1098. Ans: Chhath Puja, Ratha Sapthami or Makara Sankranti. Kumbh Mela considered too.
Which animal is shown as Surya Bhagawan's vehicle in Puranas, and how many of them together? #DharmaQuiz 1099. Ans: (Chariot with) seven White Horses. One answer conveyed that it is one horse for each day of the week. Another answer says, it is one for each major colour composition of white light (VIBGYOR).
{Final, Open till 11 PM} When water is offered with both palms to Surya Bhagawan, what is it ritually called? #DharmaQuiz 1100. Ans: Arghya Pradanam or offering Arghya.

Top Scorers in Session 148:

@DevNakshi : 5
@sharathinindia : 5
@rvaidya2000 : 5
@MetalDew : 5
@surenc1974 : 5
@iSaakshi : 5
@ranganathabhatt : 5
@anandt_05 : 5
@pirateadmiral : 5
@iSumitRk : 5
@sweetandu : 5
@vschanna : 5
@a_adarsh : 5
@rahulghildiyal : 5

Congratulations to the rest of the scorers:

@NectarSrc : 4
@talismaan : 4
@bhattvihang : 4
@Fuehrer_India : 4
@Dhanushm : 4
@FatAngryBird : 4

@Tasmayi : 3

@jaya_888 : 2
@hethal09 : 2
@pvaidyaraj : 2
@jai1900 : 2
@abhipar7 : 2

@nation1st : 1
@jemin_p : 1
@manohar_sram : 1
@ganeshmahnar : 1
@hindu_rashtra : 1
@_cowInspector : 1
@lchavan : 1
@NR_Tatvamasi : 1
@__Alka : 1
@hpadhur : 1
@dildhondtahai : 1
@seshasivasailam :
@Rasraj : 1
@Govind1603 : 1
@OjhaSumit : 1
@roshan_halwai : 1
@tyrantasorus : 1
@ultrasecular : 1
@TusharG : 1
@numbbybirth : 1
@aparajiths : 1
@udayanojha : 1
@rucheesharma : 1
@idurgesh : 1
@PrincePetrovic : 1
@bharat_no_india : 1
@kaushkrahul : 1
@navneet178 : 1
@prakashbhutoria : 1
@mallikaarjuna24 : 1
@hgsutras : 1

Looking forward to the next edition soon. Suggest topics if you have any.

Friday, July 6, 2012

DharmaQuiz Session 147: 6-Jul-2012

Theme: The 7 Sacred Rivers for Hindus

Kapila or Kabini a river originating in Kerala, joins one of the 7 most sacred rivers for Hindus. Name the sacred river. #DharmaQuiz 1091. Ans: Kaveri.
This sacred river of India is termed in Hindu scriptures as the daughter of Saranyu (wife of Surya). Name the river. #DharmaQuiz 1092. Ans: Yamuna (or Yami)
This river, among the 7 most sacred rivers for Hindus, touches the northernmost part of (Greater) Jammu & Kashmir. Name it. #DharmaQuiz 1093. Ans: Sindhu.
This river, among the 7 most sacred for Hindus, is the second longest within Indian borders, after Ganga. Name it. #DharmaQuiz 1094. Ans: Godavari. 1465 KM long.
{Final, Open till 11 PM} This river, among the 7 most sacred rivers for Hindus, was traditionally a boundary between North and South India. Name it. #DharmaQuiz 1095. Ans: Narmada.

Top Scorers:

@MV_BN : 5
@pvaidyaraj : 5
@surnell : 5
@sharad_51 : 5
@surenc1974 : 5

Congratulations to:

@danjurious : 4
@iSaakshi : 4
@sharathinindia : 4
@neerajstpl : 4

@iCSM : 3
@DevNakshi : 3
@lagudapandi : 3

@TheArvindDhar : 2

@amit8195 : 1
@Singh_ummm : 1
@proudHindu123 : 1
@Malligere : 1
@BKS_5 : 1
@chaitanyadj : 1
@chandrabhushanj : 1
@AnkurTri : 1
@Marut_ : 1
@anandt_05 : 1
@NectarSrc : 1
@hrishisays : 1
@pathak_rajiv : 1

See you next week, with a new edition of DharmaQuiz.

You can subscribe to @kiranks/dharmaquiz list for answers right into your Twitter inbox.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

DharmaQuiz Session 146: 3-Jul-2012

Theme: Guru Purnima or the day of a Guiding Teacher.

Which famous Guru 1200 years back, created the extremely philosophical & invaluable 580 verse poem, "Viveka Chudamani"? #DharmaQuiz 1086. Ans: Adi Shankara. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viveka_Chudamani
Name this 19th century Guru, who authored "Satyarth Prakash". He was also the first to give a call for 'Swarajya". #DharmaQuiz 1087. Ans: Dayananda Saraswati. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dayananda_Saraswati
Name this recent Guru,whose birth name was Satyanarayana Raju. He preached: "Love All,Serve All" & "Help Ever, Hurt Never". #DharmaQuiz 1088. Ans: Satya Sai Baba.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satya_Sai_Baba
Name this Guru maa, in her 40s,educated in a convent but preaches Upanishads, Yoga, Buddhism, Sikhism etc. Runs Shakti NGO. #DharmaQuiz 1089. Ans: Anandmurti Gurumaa - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anandmurti_Gurumaa
{Final, Open till 11 PM} Name this aspect of Shiva, personifying ultimate awareness. Prayed with "Gurave Sarva Lokanaam..". #DharmaQuiz 1090. Ans: Dakshina Murthy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakshinamurthy and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakshinamurthy_Stotram

Top Scorers this time:

@philAmit : 5
@anandt_05 : 5
@bigvjp : 5
@sweetandu : 5
@ravighiyar : 5
@MV_BN : 5
@iSaakshi : 5
@DevNakshi : 5

Congratulations to all these scorers:

@sharathinindia : 4
@FEEL4INDIA : 4
@hindu_tweeter : 4
@surenc1974 : 4
@vschanna : 4
@guruprasadbhat : 4

@pchaturved : 3
@Gaandeeva : 3
@hchaturv : 3
@dimpsdawns : 3
@pvaidyaraj : 3
@sharad_51 : 3

@Hitlerbai : 2

@aparajiths : 1
@preethamsai : 1
@harsha_bsh : 1
@bkartic : 1
@Mangesh_skr : 1
@Gurush_ : 1
@BhatJayaram : 1
@hanmireddy : 1
@pvsswamy : 1
@kaushkrahul : 1
@manohar_sram : 1
@prawinsays : 1
@voxindica : 1
@mohandoshi : 1
@s_paramvir1 : 1
@Marut_ : 1

Better luck next time.

Om Gurubhyo Namah! Harih Om..

Friday, June 22, 2012

DharmaQuiz Session 145: 22-Jun-2012

Theme: Pilgrimage towns of India.

Name this pilgrimage town that has both Manjunatha (Shiva) and Bahubali temples. a) Shirdi b) Dharmasthala c) Guruvayur. #DharmaQuiz 1081. Ans: b) Dharma Sthala, Karnataka.
Name this temple town where Balabhadra and Subhadra deities feature in Ratha Yatra. d) Tirupati. e) Kedarnath f) Puri. #DharmaQuiz 1082. Ans: f) Puri, along with Lord Jagannath deity.
There's a 1300yr old Sangameshwara temple at this UNESCO heritage site. Name the site. g) Ajanta. h) Pattadakal. i) Hampi. #DharmaQuiz 1083. Ans: h) Pattada Kallu.
At 11483 ft above sea level, there's a Parashuram Konda temple in NE India. Where? j) Arunachal Pr. k) Assam l) Tripura. #DharmaQuiz 1084. Ans: j) Arunachal Pradesh. More here: http://www.tirupatidarshanguide.com/east-india-temples/parashuram-kund-india.html
{Final, Open till 11PM} There's a 354 yr old Lalji temple in Poschim Bongo. Where? m) Darjeeling. n) Haldia. o) Kolkata. #DharmaQuiz 1085. Ans: Haldia, Midnapore district.

Answers not computed for this one session due to lack of time on my side. Apologies.

See you in July!

Friday, June 15, 2012

DharmaQuiz Session 144: 15-Jun-2012

Theme: Hindu Rituals

Of which Hindu ritual, "Paani grahana" is a part of? a)Naming ceremony. b) Marriage. c) Death ceremony. - #DharmaQuiz 1076. Ans: b) Marriage.
There is a Hindu samskara called Karna Vedha. It's related to which of the following? d) Hands. e) Ear. f) Nose . - #DharmaQuiz 1077. Ans: e)Ear
When is this prayer usually said? "karagre vasate Lakshmi.. kara madhye Saraswati"? g) Morning. h) Before lunch i) Evening. #DharmaQuiz 1078. Ans: g) Morning. More: "karaagre vasate lakshmi karamadhye saraswati karamoole sthithaa gouri prabhaate karadarshanam" when looking at both palms first thing in the morning.
When Hindus say "paada sparsham kshamaswa me" prayer, whom are they addressing? j) Sky. k) Fire. l) Earth. - #DharmaQuiz 1079. Ans: l) Earth. Hindus touch the floor and pray "samudra vasane devi parvata sthana mandale Vishnu patnee namasthubhyam paada sparsham kshamaswa me" to ask for forgiveness for touching mother Earth with foot.
{Final, Open till 11PM} Among Hindu samskaras or customs, which one comes first? m)Jatakarma n) Namakarana o) Chudakarana - #DharmaQuiz 1080. Ans: m) Jatakarma.

Two good references to read further:
http://www.vmission.org.in/hinduism/samskaras.htm
http://sanskritdocuments.org/articles/customs_rituals_in_Hindu_dharma_IISH_Gopalakrishnan.doc

Top Scorers:

@vinodvyas220 : 5
@iCSM : 5
@DevNakshi : 5
@shawjipk : 5
@anandt_05 : 5
@iSaakshi : 5
@akhilm176 : 5
@rahulghildiyal
@shanthigrama : 5
@bhaviknz : 5
@sharathinindia : 5
@premchandu_a : 5
@philAmit : 5
@sweetandu : 5
@surnell : 5
@gdeepy : 5

Congrats to all these, who answered well!

@Susri1210 : 4
@Gurush_ : 4
@gnanambalam : 4
@prashanth__s : 4
@rk_kulkarni : 4
@Marut_ : 4

@kaushkrahul : 3
@Tasmayi : 3
@arora_chandan : 3
@abhipar7 : 3
@akhil_fsu : 3

@gototihar : 2
@ManishManke : 2
@swathyg : 2
@NAashish : 2
@kharesm : 2
@archie229 : 2
@Hindustanumh : 2
@talismaan : 2
@karthik_sy : 2
@somaiyahiral : 2
@WiseIndian : 2
@MaheshwarBhatP : 2
@pravinrao6750 : 2
@ashok567 : 2
@TobaTekSing : 2
@SarathRamakrish : 2

@idhairya : 1
@psudo : 1
@hm_eVOTS : 1
@ecophilo : 1
@harshvb : 1
@achandwar : 1
@truevirathindu : 1
@TheArvindDhar : 1
@VickyTweets9 : 1
@rajiv2131 : 1
@sanathandharma : 1
@AvinashCKM : 1
@CricRaks : 1
@_cowInspector : 1
@raghu_ji : 1
@VijayShenli : 1
@1KaDuM : 1
@pramodthap : 1
@Shree03 : 1
@krimhumhrim : 1
@suren_bamel : 1
@riteshshetty : 1

Thanks for a wonderful participation today. You can always refer to this blog after 11 PM IST, on Tuesdays and Fridays. Also, you can subscribe on Twitter to @kiranks/dharmaquiz list for an update tweet with answers.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Friday, July 13, 2012

Friday, July 6, 2012

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Friday, June 22, 2012

Friday, June 15, 2012

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