MadBright
Search games/

Games and printables

Find a game

See every game

40 Diwali trivia questions

Diwali questions with answers and source links. Play them on the screen, or print a player sheet and the answer key.

40 questions · Diwali trivia questions · answers included

Diwali trivia questions

Choose a score button to add a point. Scores last for this page visit.

Space shows the answer, then the next card. Arrow keys move. With scores on, keys 1 to 6 add a team point. F fills the screen. Escape closes play.
  1. 1

    Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word Dipavali. What does it mean?

    medium

    Answer

    A row or series of lights, from dipa and avali.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  2. 2

    Between which months does Diwali usually fall?

    medium

    Answer

    Around mid-October and mid-November, in Ashvin and Kartika.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  3. 3

    How many days do Diwali celebrations generally last?

    medium

    Answer

    Five or six days.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  4. 4

    In one Diwali story, which hero returned to his kingdom in Ayodhya after defeating Ravana?

    medium

    Answer

    Rama, with Sita and Lakshmana.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  5. 5

    Which goddess of prosperity is widely associated with Diwali?

    medium

    Answer

    Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  6. 6

    Which god, the remover of obstacles, is honored beside Lakshmi?

    medium

    Answer

    Ganesha, the god of wisdom.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  7. 7

    What are diyas?

    medium

    Answer

    Oil lamps, often small and earthen.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  8. 8

    What are rangoli?

    medium

    Answer

    Colorful art circle patterns, often made on the floor.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  9. 9

    What do Jains mark at Diwali?

    medium

    Answer

    The final liberation of Mahavira.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  10. 10

    Which festival do Sikhs celebrate at Diwali time?

    medium

    Answer

    Bandi Chhor Divas, the release of Guru Hargobind.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  11. 11

    Which day marks the start of the Diwali festivities, two days before the new moon?

    medium

    Answer

    Dhanteras, the first day.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  12. 12

    On which day does Diwali reach its climax?

    medium

    Answer

    The third day, called the main Diwali.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  13. 13

    In one tradition, which demon did Krishna defeat, a victory Diwali celebrates?

    medium

    Answer

    Narakasura, the king of Pragjyotishapura.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  14. 14

    In Nepal, what do Hindus call the climax of the festival?

    medium

    Answer

    Tihar, while Buddhists call it Swanti.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  15. 15

    In Eastern India and Bangladesh, which goddess do Hindus generally worship at Diwali?

    medium

    Answer

    Kali.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  16. 16

    How do celebrants prepare their homes before Diwali?

    medium

    Answer

    Cleaning, renovating and decorating them.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  17. 17

    What do Hindus take at dawn on each day of the festival?

    medium

    Answer

    A ritual oil bath, at dawn.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  18. 18

    What are the sweets shared at Diwali called?

    medium

    Answer

    Mithai, sweets and desserts.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  19. 19

    In about how many countries is Diwali an official holiday?

    medium

    Answer

    A dozen, with more days observed regionally in India.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  20. 20

    How long was Rama's exile before he returned to Ayodhya?

    medium

    Answer

    Fourteen years, in exile.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  21. 21

    Which early Sanskrit texts mention Diwali?

    medium

    Answer

    The Padma Purana, and the Skanda Purana.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  22. 22

    What is the day before the main day of Diwali called?

    medium

    Answer

    Naraka Chaturdashi, or Chhoti Diwali.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  23. 23

    What does "chhoti" in Chhoti Diwali mean?

    medium

    Answer

    Little, so little Diwali.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  24. 24

    In Gujarat, what does Diwali mark the start of?

    medium

    Answer

    A new year.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  25. 25

    What do Jains call their Diwali observance?

    medium

    Answer

    Mahavira Nirvana Divas, his final nirvana.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  26. 26

    Mahavira was which Tirthankar?

    medium

    Answer

    The 24th, of the current time cycle.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  27. 27

    From which fort's prison was Guru Hargobind released?

    medium

    Answer

    Gwalior Fort, by the emperor Jahangir.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  28. 28

    Where did Guru Hargobind arrive after his release?

    medium

    Answer

    The Golden Temple, in Amritsar.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  29. 29

    What do many people shop for on Dhanteras?

    medium

    Answer

    Utensils, gold jewelry and firecrackers.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  30. 30

    Which hollow sugar cakes are offered to Lakshmi and Ganesha on Dhanteras?

    medium

    Answer

    Batashas, hollow sugar cakes.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  31. 31

    On Yama Deepam, a lamp is lit for Yama. Who is Yama?

    medium

    Answer

    The god of death, so the lamp wards off untimely death.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  32. 32

    Which way does the Yama Deepam lamp face?

    medium

    Answer

    South, at the back of the home.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  33. 33

    What does Annakut, the day after Diwali, mean?

    medium

    Answer

    Mountain of food, or heap of grain.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  34. 34

    On the fifth day, Bhai Dooj, which bond is celebrated?

    medium

    Answer

    The sister-brother bond, the name meaning brother's day.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  35. 35

    In the legend of the dice game of Parvati and Shiva, who wins?

    medium

    Answer

    Parvati, against Shiva.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  36. 36

    Krishna's victory over Narakasura is a triumph of what?

    medium

    Answer

    Good over evil, in Krishna's victory.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  37. 37

    What is the one-hour evening trading session on Diwali called?

    medium

    Answer

    Muhurat trading, for one hour.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  38. 38

    In which year did California make Diwali an official state holiday?

    medium

    Answer

    2025, in October.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  39. 39

    Which president first celebrated Diwali at the White House, in 2003?

    medium

    Answer

    George W. Bush, in 2003.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

  40. 40

    Who was the first president to attend Diwali at the White House in person?

    medium

    Answer

    Barack Obama, in 2009.

    Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali?oldid=1381983593

Timer and team scores

8 turns × 60 seconds = 8 minutes of play, plus instructions and breaks.

60

Pause whenever the group needs more time.

Team Lime's turn

Team Lime: 0

Team Violet: 0

Use this set with a group

Read a prompt, allow thinking time, then invite an answer or a pass. For a timed round, choose a turn length before starting. A host can keep the printed answers out of view until the round ends.