Which Diwali-linked Hindu festival is also known as Choti Diwali?
Answer
Naraka Chaturdashi
78 Diwali Trivia Questions with Answers
78 public questions with answers, drawn from the well. How many can you answer?
This Diwali trivia hub explores the festival of lights across Hindu, Jain, Sikh, and regional traditions. Questions cover lunar timing, associated festivals, stories of Lakshmi and Vishnu, Mahavira’s nirvana, Bandi Chhor Divas, Nepal’s Tihar celebrations, and Diwali observances beyond South Asia.
Test yourself on why Diwali’s main night falls on a new moon, which festival is known as Choti Diwali, and which animals are honored during Gai Tihar. With 78 questions, this is a substantial set for school lessons, cultural programs, family game nights, community events, and pub quizzes that want religious and regional context alongside general festival knowledge.
In Jain Diwali tradition, Mahavira's chief disciple Gautama Swami attained what?
Answer
Kevala Jnana
Bandi Chhor Divas was formally adopted into which Sikh calendar in 2003?
Answer
Nanakshahi calendar
What is the fifth and last day of Nepal's Tihar festival called?
Answer
Bhai Tika
Diwali's main night coincides with which lunar phase?
Answer
Amavasya
Which Caribbean country hosts the annual Divali Nagar exposition in Chaguanas?
Answer
Trinidad and Tobago
Which Nepalese Tihar day is dedicated to worshipping dogs?
Answer
Kukur Tihar
In Swanti, the fifth day Kija Puja is dedicated to whom?
Answer
brothers
In the name Dhanteras, what does 'dhan' mean?
Answer
wealth
Which Sanskrit word in Deepawali means 'light'?
Answer
dīpa
Which festival typically precedes Diwali by about 20 days?
Answer
Dussehra
Which Gujarat temple hosted the 2019 Guinness record for the largest Annakut?
Answer
BAPS Atladra Mandir
The 56 food items prepared for Annakut are typically called what?
Answer
chappan bhog
Kali Puja became widespread in Bengal through patrons in which century?
Answer
eighteenth century
Since 2009, Diwali has been celebrated at which UK prime ministerial residence?
Answer
10 Downing Street
Singapore's government organizes Diwali events with which statutory board?
Answer
Hindu Endowments Board
Which Portuguese traveller described Dipavali in the Vijayanagara Empire?
Answer
Domingo Paes
Which Venetian merchant wrote about Diwali lamps in India in the early 15th century?
Answer
Niccolò de' Conti
Rajasekhara referred to Deepavali by what name in his Kavyamimamsa?
Answer
Dipamalika
In Bengal, Bhai Dooj is commonly called what?
Answer
Bhai Phonta
Govardhan Puja commemorates Krishna lifting which hill?
Answer
Govardhan Hill
Which U.S. president first celebrated Diwali at the White House in 2003?
Answer
George W. Bush
Bandi Chhor Divas marks release from which Mughal-controlled fort?
Answer
Gwalior Fort
In Newar Swanti, which ceremony means 'worship of the self'?
Answer
Mha Puja
Which Diwali-linked festival is also called Shyama Puja?
Answer
Kali Puja
What Gujarati name for New Year is listed with Balipratipada?
Answer
Bestu Varas
What is Balipratipada called in Maharashtra?
Answer
Bali Padwa
What is Naraka Chaturdashi called in Gujarat and Rajasthan?
Answer
Kali Chaudas
Diwali trivia — quick answers
What are good Diwali trivia questions?
Good Diwali questions explore traditions, regional names, religious stories, food, lights, rangoli, lunar timing, related festivals, and how Hindu, Jain, Sikh, and Nepali communities observe the season.
How hard is Diwali trivia?
Introductory questions about diyas, Lakshmi, and the festival’s name are approachable. More difficult questions compare regional traditions, calendars, associated festivals, and the distinct religious meanings of Diwali.
What lunar phase does Diwali’s main night coincide with?
Diwali’s main night traditionally falls on Amavasya, the new-moon night of the Hindu lunisolar month of Kartika. Because the festival follows a lunar calendar, its Gregorian date changes each year. The darkness of the new moon helps explain the central symbolism of lighting lamps, candles, and other lights.
What is Choti Diwali?
Choti Diwali, or Naraka Chaturdashi, is generally observed on the day before the main Diwali celebration. In Hindu tradition, it is associated with the defeat of the demon Narakasura by Krishna, Satyabhama, or both depending on the regional account. Customs may include early bathing, lamps, sweets, and household preparations.
Which animals are honored during Gai Tihar?
During Nepal’s Tihar festival, Gai Tihar honors cows, which are associated with Lakshmi and prosperity. Tihar also includes Kukur Tihar for dogs, Laxmi Puja, Govardhan Puja or Mha Puja depending on the community, and Bhai Tika. The five-day festival shares some themes with Diwali but has its own Nepali sequence.