Q180. At which shrine is the Ambubachi Fair held annually?
[SSC CGL Tier I – 2020]
(A) Jagannath Temple
(B) Kedarnath Temple
(C) Kashi Vishwanath Temple
(D) Kamakhya Temple
Answer: (D) Kamakhya Temple
Explanation: Ambubachi Mela takes place at the Kamakhya Temple near Guwahati in Assam. The observance honours the goddess’s annual menstruation and the regenerative power of the earth, bringing many devotees to this important Shakti pilgrimage site.
Q179. The monolithic Dharmaraja Ratha monument is situated where?
[SSC CGL Tier I – 2020]
(A) Khajuraho
(B) Kanchipuram
(C) Suchindram
(D) Mahabalipuram
Answer: (D) Mahabalipuram
Explanation: Dharmaraja Ratha is one of the Pancha Rathas at Mamallapuram, or Mahabalipuram, in Tamil Nadu. The seventh-century Pallava monuments were carved from single rock masses and record experiments with early Dravidian temple forms.
Q178. Which dance and state are correctly paired?
[SSC CGL Tier I – 2020]
(A) Padayani—Kerala
(B) Dalkhai—Karnataka
(C) Kalbelia—Himachal Pradesh
(D) Thang-Ta—Bihar
Answer: (A) Padayani—Kerala
Explanation: Padayani is a ritual folk performance of Kerala, involving striking masks, drums and dancing at certain Bhagavati temples. Dalkhai belongs to Odisha, Kalbelia to Rajasthan and Thang-Ta is a martial tradition of Manipur.
Q177. Biraja Temple, Rajarani Temple and Samaleswari Temple are all in which state?
[SSC CGL Tier I – 2020]
(A) Assam
(B) Odisha
(C) Kerala
(D) Tamil Nadu
Answer: (B) Odisha
Explanation: Biraja Temple is at Jajpur, Rajarani Temple in Bhubaneswar and Samaleswari Temple in Sambalpur, all in Odisha. Together they illustrate the state’s wide range of temple sites, divine traditions and Kalinga architectural heritage.
Q176. Which state observes the Lai Haraoba festival?
[SSC CGL Tier I – 2020]
(A) Goa
(B) Kerala
(C) Karnataka
(D) Manipur
Answer: (D) Manipur
Explanation: Lai Haraoba is a prominent Meitei ritual festival in Manipur. Dance, song and sacred ceremonies honour local deities called Umang Lais, and its choreography evokes traditional conceptions of life and the creation of the universe.
Q175. Which of these major heritage sites is located in Madhya Pradesh?
[SSC CGL Tier I – 2020]
(A) Bhimbetka
(B) Lepakshi
(C) Sasaram
(D) Hampi
Answer: (A) Bhimbetka
Explanation: Bhimbetka Rock Shelters in Madhya Pradesh preserve prehistoric rock paintings and archaeological evidence of long human occupation. The complex near Bhopal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a landmark of prehistoric artistic expression.
Q174. Which monument is NOT part of the Qutb complex in Delhi?
[SSC CGL Tier I – 2020]
(A) Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque
(B) Qutb Minar
(C) Alai Darwaza
(D) Buland Darwaza
Answer: (D) Buland Darwaza
Explanation: Buland Darwaza stands at Fatehpur Sikri in Uttar Pradesh and was commissioned by Akbar. The Qutb complex in Delhi includes Qutb Minar, Alai Darwaza and Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, along with several other early Sultanate structures.
Q173. Why is the Halshashthi festival traditionally celebrated?
[CGPSC Prelims – 2020]
(A) For a good crop harvest
(B) For a husband’s longevity
(C) For a son’s longevity
(D) For material wealth
Answer: (C) For a son’s longevity
Explanation: Halshashthi, or Harchhath, is a regional Hindu observance associated with Balarama and prayers for the well-being and long lives of sons. Women follow prescribed fasting and ritual practices, reflecting household festival traditions of central India.
Q172. Khamb Swang is a ritual performance tradition of which community?
[CGPSC Prelims – 2020]
(A) Korku
(B) Muria
(C) Kharia
(D) Munda
Answer: (A) Korku
Explanation: Khamb Swang is associated with the Korku community and involves performance around a sacred pillar. Its ceremonies relate to regional beliefs about Meghnath and rain, blending ritual, dramatic enactment and music in central Indian tribal traditions.
Q171. Regarding Desher Katha by Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar, which claims are correct?
1. It warned of colonial control over thought;
2. It encouraged swadeshi plays and songs;
3. Its use of desh meant Bengal alone.
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2020]
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) All three
Answer: (A) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Deuskar’s Desher Katha criticised colonial economic exploitation and encouraged swadeshi awareness. Its influence extended to popular political expression such as street theatre and folk song; the idea of desh was not restricted simply to Bengal.
