Question 1

True or false: Dussehra celebrates the day Lord Rama killed the demon king Ravana, according to Hindu mythology.

Accepted Answer

True. Dussehra marks Rama's victory over Ravana, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil in the Ramayana epic.

Question 2

True or false: Dussehra always falls on the same date in the Gregorian calendar every year, like Christmas.

Accepted Answer

False. Dussehra follows the lunar Hindu calendar, so its date varies between September and October each year.

Question 3

True or false: The word 'Dussehra' literally translates to 'ten heads' in Sanskrit, referring to Ravana's ten heads.

Accepted Answer

False. Dussehra comes from Sanskrit 'dasha' (ten) and 'hara' (defeat), meaning 'the defeat of the ten-headed one,' not 'ten heads.'

Question 4

True or false: In southern India, Dussehra is primarily associated with the goddess Durga slaying the buffalo demon Mahishasura.

Accepted Answer

True. In parts of South India, Dussehra honors Durga's victory over Mahishasura, aligning with the nine-night Navratri festival.

Question 5

True or false: During Dussehra, it's a common tradition in North India to exchange gifts of new clothes and sweets.

Accepted Answer

False. Gift exchanges are more typical of Diwali; Dussehra focuses on effigy burnings, fairs, and religious rituals.

Question 6

True or false: Dussehra is celebrated only in India and Nepal, with no major observances in other countries.

Accepted Answer

False. Dussehra is also celebrated in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, and diaspora communities worldwide.

Question 7

True or false: The burning of Ravana effigies on Dussehra often uses fireworks that are legally banned in many US states.

Accepted Answer

True. Some fireworks used in Ravana effigies contain banned chemicals in the US, leading to permit issues for large celebrations.

Question 8

True or false: The bamboo used for Ravana effigies on Dussehra is traditionally sourced from a single village in Gujarat.

Accepted Answer

True. The village of Jodiya in Gujarat supplies the bamboo for many Ravana effigies, including Delhi's famous ones, due to its unique quality.

Dussehra Trivia Questions