Kumbh Mela is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world and holds immense cultural and spiritual significance in India Celebrated at four different locations Haridwar, Allahabad (Prayagraj), Nashik and Ujjain it attracts millions of devotees and tourists from around the globe.
This article provides 100 general knowledge questions and answers about Kumbh Mela offering insights into its history, traditions and importance.
Kumbh Mela General Knowledge Quiz
1. What does “Kumbh” mean in Hindi?
a) Water
b) Pot
c) Festival
d) River
Answer: Pot
2. How often is the Kumbh Mela held at each location?
a) Every 5 years
b) Every 6 years
c) Every 12 years
d) Every 15 years
Answer: Every 12 years
3. At how many locations is Kumbh Mela celebrated?
a) Two
b) Three
c) Four
d) Five
Answer: Four
4. Which river is associated with the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar?
a) Ganga
b) Yamuna
c) Saraswati
d) Godavari
Answer: Ganga
5. Which city hosts the Kumbh Mela at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers?
a) Haridwar
b) Prayagraj (Allahabad)
c) Nashik
d) Ujjain
Answer: Prayagraj (Allahabad)
6. Which river is associated with the Kumbh Mela in Nashik?
a) Godavari
b) Krishna
c) Tapti
d) Narmada
Answer: Godavari
7. Which river is associated with the Kumbh Mela in Ujjain?
a) Narmada
b) Kshipra
c) Tapti
d) Godavari
Answer: Kshipra
8. What is the name of the smaller Kumbh Mela held every 6 years?
a) Maha Kumbh
b) Ardh Kumbh
c) Purna Kumbh
d) Mini Kumbh
Answer: Ardh Kumbh
9. In which Indian state is Haridwar located?
a) Uttar Pradesh
b) Uttarakhand
c) Madhya Pradesh
d) Rajasthan
Answer: Uttarakhand
10. What is the primary ritual performed during Kumbh Mela?
a) Chanting hymns
b) Taking a holy dip in the river
c) Lighting lamps
d) Offering flowers
Answer: Taking a holy dip in the river
11. When was the Kumbh Mela declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO?
a) 2015
b) 2016
c) 2017
d) 2018
Answer: 2017
12. Which Hindu scripture mentions the origins of Kumbh Mela?
a) Bhagavad Gita
b) Ramayana
c) Vishnu Purana
d) Mahabharata
Answer: Vishnu Purana
13. What is the significance of the holy dip during Kumbh Mela?
a) To gain spiritual knowledge
b) To wash away sins
c) To connect with ancestors
d) To attain worldly desires
Answer: To wash away sins
14. What is the term for the gathering of sages and saints at the Kumbh Mela?
a) Sadhu Sangam
b) Dharma Sabha
c) Sant Sammelan
d) Ganga Sabha
Answer: Sadhu Sangam
15. Which zodiac sign determines the timing of the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar?
a) Aries
b) Pisces
c) Aquarius
d) Taurus
Answer: Aquarius
16. Which mythological event is believed to have created the Kumbh Mela?
a) Churning of the Ocean (Samudra Manthan)
b) Battle of Kurukshetra
c) Lord Rama’s exile
d) Krishna’s Raas Leela
Answer: Churning of the Ocean (Samudra Manthan)
17. Which sacred plant is often worshipped during the Kumbh Mela?
a) Tulsi
b) Neem
c) Peepal
d) Banyan
Answer: Tulsi
18. What is the Maha Kumbh Mela?
a) A grand festival held every 144 years
b) A grand festival held every 12 years
c) A festival that occurs in all four locations simultaneously
d) The name for the first Kumbh Mela of the decade
Answer: A grand festival held every 144 years
19. Which famous bathing ghat in Haridwar is associated with Kumbh Mela?
a) Har Ki Pauri
b) Dashashwamedh Ghat
c) Assi Ghat
d) Ram Ghat
Answer: Har Ki Pauri
20. What does “Sangam” mean in the context of Kumbh Mela?
a) Confluence of rivers
b) Gathering of people
c) Spiritual awakening
d) Sacred ceremony
Answer: Confluence of rivers
21. Which prominent Hindu saint is often credited with popularizing Kumbh Mela?
a) Adi Shankaracharya
b) Swami Vivekananda
c) Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
d) Kabir Das
Answer: Adi Shankaracharya
22. Which river is also called the “Dakshin Ganga” and is part of the Kumbh Mela?
a) Godavari
b) Krishna
c) Kaveri
d) Narmada
Answer: Godavari
23. What is the primary symbol of Kumbh Mela?
a) Kumbh (Pot)
b) Trident
c) Lotus
d) Conch
Answer: Kumbh (Pot)
24. Which ancient king is believed to have participated in the first Kumbh Mela?
a) Harshavardhana
b) Chandragupta Maurya
c) Ashoka
d) Samudragupta
Answer: Harshavardhana
25. Which book by Mark Twain mentions the Kumbh Mela?
a) The Innocents Abroad
b) Following the Equator
c) Life on the Mississippi
d) Roughing It
Answer: Following the Equator
26. Which zodiac sign determines the timing of the Kumbh Mela in Nashik?
a) Leo
b) Virgo
c) Sagittarius
d) Pisces
Answer: Leo
27. Which year marked the first Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj after India’s independence?
a) 1950
b) 1954
c) 1960
d) 1968
Answer: 1954
28. Which Hindu scripture describes the Samudra Manthan?
a) Bhagavata Purana
b) Vishnu Purana
c) Mahabharata
d) Rigveda
Answer: Bhagavata Purana
29. What is the primary goal for pilgrims attending the Kumbh Mela?
a) Moksha (Salvation)
b) Wealth
c) Knowledge
d) Social gathering
Answer: Moksha (Salvation)
30. Which Akhada (sect) is prominently featured during the Kumbh Mela?
a) Naga Sadhus
b) Bauls
c) Bishnois
d) Kabirpanthis
Answer: Naga Sadhus
31. Which city hosted the Kumbh Mela for the first time after being renamed Prayagraj?
a) Haridwar
b) Nashik
c) Prayagraj
d) Ujjain
Answer: Prayagraj
32. Which Indian state hosts the Kumbh Mela at Ujjain?
a) Madhya Pradesh
b) Maharashtra
c) Uttar Pradesh
d) Uttarakhand
Answer: Madhya Pradesh
33. What is the name of the ceremonial procession of saints and seers at Kumbh Mela?
a) Shahi Snan
b) Dharma Yatra
c) Sadhu Prayan
d) Parikrama
Answer: Shahi Snan
34. Which festival overlaps with the Kumbh Mela in Nashik?
a) Simhastha
b) Makar Sankranti
c) Shivratri
d) Chhath Puja
Answer: Simhastha
35. What is the primary astrological event that marks the beginning of the Kumbh Mela?
a) Sun entering Aries
b) Jupiter entering Aquarius
c) Saturn entering Capricorn
d) Moon entering Taurus
Answer: Jupiter entering Aquarius
36. What is the role of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad during the Kumbh Mela?
a) Managing the Akhadas
b) Conducting rituals
c) Organizing public gatherings
d) Managing pilgrims
Answer: Managing the Akhadas
37. Which Mughal emperor banned the Kumbh Mela?
a) Aurangzeb
b) Akbar
c) Jahangir
d) Humayun
Answer: Aurangzeb
38. Which emperor reinstated the Kumbh Mela after Aurangzeb’s ban?
a) Akbar
b) Bahadur Shah I
c) Shah Jahan
d) Jahangir
Answer: Bahadur Shah I
39. Which famous bridge in Prayagraj is associated with the Kumbh Mela?
a) Yamuna Bridge
b) Triveni Sangam Bridge
c) New Yamuna Bridge
d) Allahabad Bridge
Answer: Triveni Sangam Bridge
40. Which Indian Prime Minister attended the 2019 Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj?
a) Narendra Modi
b) Manmohan Singh
c) Atal Bihari Vajpayee
d) Rajiv Gandhi
Answer: Narendra Modi
41. What is the significance of the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj during Kumbh Mela?
a) Meeting point of three sacred rivers
b) A place of penance
c) A historical battleground
d) A royal bathing site
Answer: Meeting point of three sacred rivers
42. Which river flows alongside the Kumbh Mela site in Ujjain?
a) Kshipra
b) Narmada
c) Tapi
d) Godavari
Answer: Kshipra
43. Which Indian state is home to Nashik, a Kumbh Mela site?
a) Maharashtra
b) Gujarat
c) Madhya Pradesh
d) Karnataka
Answer: Maharashtra
44. What is the role of the Naga Sadhus during the Kumbh Mela?
a) Leading the Shahi Snan
b) Managing pilgrim camps
c) Conducting astrological sessions
d) Organizing food for pilgrims
Answer: Leading the Shahi Snan
45. Which celestial event is celebrated at the Kumbh Mela?
a) Planetary alignments
b) Full Moon
c) Eclipse
d) Solstice
Answer: Planetary alignments
46. Which traditional Indian drink is commonly served during Kumbh Mela?
a) Bhang Thandai
b) Lassi
c) Jaljeera
d) Kesar Milk
Answer: Bhang Thandai
47. Which Indian epic describes the story behind the Kumbh Mela?
a) Mahabharata
b) Ramayana
c) Bhagavata Purana
d) Vedas
Answer: Bhagavata Purana
48. Which Indian state organized the Maha Kumbh Mela in 2013?
a) Uttar Pradesh
b) Uttarakhand
c) Maharashtra
d) Madhya Pradesh
Answer: Uttar Pradesh
49. What is the approximate number of pilgrims attending the Kumbh Mela?
a) 50 million
b) 100 million
c) 150 million
d) 200 million
Answer: 150 million
50. Which deity is primarily worshipped during the Kumbh Mela?
a) Lord Vishnu
b) Lord Shiva
c) Lord Brahma
d) Goddess Ganga
Answer: Goddess Ganga
51. Which Indian river is considered the holiest during the Kumbh Mela?
a) Ganga
b) Yamuna
c) Saraswati
d) Godavari
Answer: Ganga
52. Which month usually marks the beginning of the Kumbh Mela?
a) January
b) February
c) March
d) April
Answer: January
53. What is the purpose of the “Shahi Snan” during the Kumbh Mela?
a) To mark the arrival of Akhadas
b) To cleanse the soul of sins
c) To inaugurate the festival
d) To celebrate the end of the Kumbh Mela
Answer: To cleanse the soul of sins
54. Which Indian poet famously described the grandeur of Kumbh Mela?
a) Kalidasa
b) Kabir
c) Tulsidas
d) Harivansh Rai Bachchan
Answer: Tulsidas
55. Which Indian city is also known as the “City of Sangam”?
a) Prayagraj (Allahabad)
b) Varanasi
c) Haridwar
d) Ujjain
Answer: Prayagraj (Allahabad)
56. Which Mughal emperor was known to have attended the Kumbh Mela?
a) Akbar
b) Jahangir
c) Babur
d) Humayun
Answer: Akbar
57. Which traditional attire is commonly worn by pilgrims during Kumbh Mela?
a) White dhoti and kurta
b) Orange or saffron robes
c) Silk sarees
d) Tribal dresses
Answer: Orange or saffron robes
58. Which Indian saint is believed to have revived the Akhadas during the Kumbh Mela?
a) Adi Shankaracharya
b) Guru Nanak
c) Swami Vivekananda
d) Kabir
Answer: Adi Shankaracharya
59. What is the significance of the planet Jupiter in the Kumbh Mela?
a) Its position determines the festival’s timing
b) It symbolizes prosperity
c) It is associated with Lord Shiva
d) It marks the start of the festival
Answer: Its position determines the festival’s timing
60. Which Indian freedom fighter referred to the Kumbh Mela as a unifying force for Indians?
a) Mahatma Gandhi
b) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
c) Subhas Chandra Bose
d) Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer: Mahatma Gandhi
61. Which river is considered mythical but part of the Sangam at Prayagraj?
a) Saraswati
b) Brahmaputra
c) Kaveri
d) Indus
Answer: Saraswati
62. What is the primary offering made by pilgrims during the Kumbh Mela?
a) Flowers and milk
b) Holy water and fruits
c) Ganga Jal (Holy Water)
d) Oil lamps
Answer: Ganga Jal (Holy Water)
63. Which Indian Prime Minister inaugurated the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela in 2019?
a) Narendra Modi
b) Atal Bihari Vajpayee
c) Indira Gandhi
d) Rajiv Gandhi
Answer: Narendra Modi
64. Which ancient text first documented the Kumbh Mela?
a) Rigveda
b) Vishnu Purana
c) Skanda Purana
d) Mahabharata
Answer: Skanda Purana
65. Which musical instruments are prominently used during the Kumbh Mela?
a) Conch and drums
b) Flute and sitar
c) Veena and tabla
d) Shehnai and harmonium
Answer: Conch and drums
66. What is the traditional salutation exchanged at the Kumbh Mela?
a) Har Har Gange
b) Jai Mata Di
c) Om Namah Shivaya
d) Ram Ram
Answer: Har Har Gange
67. Which historical event is often commemorated during the Kumbh Mela?
a) Churning of the Ocean (Samudra Manthan)
b) Battle of Mahabharata
c) Coronation of Lord Rama
d) Birth of Lord Krishna
Answer: Churning of the Ocean (Samudra Manthan)
68. Which deity is associated with the creation of the nectar of immortality?
a) Lord Vishnu
b) Lord Shiva
c) Lord Brahma
d) Goddess Durga
Answer: Lord Vishnu
69. Which foreign traveler wrote about the Kumbh Mela in the 7th century?
a) Hiuen Tsang
b) Marco Polo
c) Ibn Battuta
d) Al-Biruni
Answer: Hiuen Tsang
70. Which Indian state celebrates the Simhastha Kumbh Mela?
a) Madhya Pradesh
b) Uttar Pradesh
c) Maharashtra
d) Uttarakhand
Answer: Madhya Pradesh
71. Which riverbank in Nashik hosts the Kumbh Mela?
a) Godavari River
b) Krishna River
c) Narmada River
d) Tapti River
Answer: Godavari River
72. What is the purpose of the Kumbh Mela according to Hindu mythology?
a) To distribute the nectar of immortality
b) To perform penance
c) To celebrate victory over evil
d) To honor ancient sages
Answer: To distribute the nectar of immortality
73. Which term describes the large camps set up for saints during the Kumbh Mela?
a) Akhada
b) Dharamshala
c) Sangha
d) Matha
Answer: Akhada
74. Which celestial body is associated with the timing of the Kumbh Mela in Ujjain?
a) Sun
b) Jupiter
c) Saturn
d) Moon
Answer: Jupiter
75. Which city hosted the Kumbh Mela for the first time in 2019?
a) Prayagraj (Allahabad)
b) Haridwar
c) Nashik
d) Ujjain
Answer: Prayagraj (Allahabad)
76. Which Hindu festival often coincides with the Kumbh Mela?
a) Makar Sankranti
b) Diwali
c) Holi
d) Navratri
Answer: Makar Sankranti
77. Which riverbank in Haridwar hosts the main bathing ghats during the Kumbh Mela?
a) Ganga
b) Yamuna
c) Saraswati
d) Godavari
Answer: Ganga
78. What does the term “Amrit” refer to in the context of Kumbh Mela?
a) Nectar of immortality
b) Holy water
c) Divine blessing
d) Sacred fire
Answer: Nectar of immortality
79. Which Hindu god is believed to have carried the pot of Amrit during Samudra Manthan?
a) Garuda
b) Indra
c) Vishnu
d) Shiva
Answer: Garuda
80. What is the name of the temporary city created during the Kumbh Mela?
a) Kumbh Nagar
b) Mela City
c) Sangam City
d) Tent City
Answer: Tent City
81. Which Indian state is famous for hosting the Ujjain Kumbh Mela?
a) Madhya Pradesh
b) Rajasthan
c) Uttar Pradesh
d) Uttarakhand
Answer: Madhya Pradesh
82. Which Indian river is called the “Lifeline of Ujjain”?
a) Kshipra
b) Narmada
c) Tapti
d) Godavari
Answer: Kshipra
83. Which sacred ritual marks the culmination of the Kumbh Mela?
a) Shahi Snan
b) Aarti
c) Yagna
d) Bhajan
Answer: Shahi Snan
84. Which Mughal emperor constructed bathing ghats for pilgrims at the Kumbh Mela?
a) Akbar
b) Babur
c) Humayun
d) Shah Jahan
Answer: Akbar
85. Which Indian state witnessed the first recorded Kumbh Mela in historical texts?
a) Uttar Pradesh (Prayagraj)
b) Madhya Pradesh (Ujjain)
c) Uttarakhand (Haridwar)
d) Maharashtra (Nashik)
Answer: Uttar Pradesh (Prayagraj)
86. Which Hindu text elaborates on the astrological significance of Kumbh Mela?
a) Brihat Samhita
b) Bhagavad Gita
c) Skanda Purana
d) Yajurveda
Answer: Brihat Samhita
87. Which form of yoga is commonly practiced during the Kumbh Mela?
a) Bhakti Yoga
b) Hatha Yoga
c) Karma Yoga
d) Raja Yoga
Answer: Hatha Yoga
88. Which international organization recognized Kumbh Mela as a heritage event?
a) UNESCO
b) WHO
c) UNHRC
d) WTO
Answer: UNESCO
89. Which Indian state experiences the confluence of the Ganga and Godavari rivers during Kumbh Mela?
a) None
Answer: No state; they flow in different regions.
90. What is the purpose of the akharas during Kumbh Mela?
a) Preserving traditions of saints
b) Distributing food to pilgrims
c) Organizing cultural programs
d) Conducting astrological sessions
Answer: Preserving traditions of saints
91. Which Indian saint described Kumbh Mela as a “gathering of purity”?
a) Swami Vivekananda
b) Kabir
c) Adi Shankaracharya
d) Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
Answer: Swami Vivekananda
92. What is the common time period between two Maha Kumbh Melas at the same location?
a) 144 years
b) 72 years
c) 24 years
d) 12 years
Answer: 144 years
93. Which city in India is known as the “Gateway to Moksha” due to Kumbh Mela?
a) Prayagraj
b) Haridwar
c) Varanasi
d) Ujjain
Answer: Haridwar
94. Which famous structure in Prayagraj serves as a spiritual landmark during Kumbh Mela?
a) Akshayavat Tree
b) Anand Bhavan
c) Sangam Ghat
d) Fort of Allahabad
Answer: Akshayavat Tree
95. What is the major focus of the spiritual teachings during Kumbh Mela?
a) Liberation from the cycle of rebirth
b) Achieving wealth
c) Improving physical health
d) Strengthening social bonds
Answer: Liberation from the cycle of rebirth
96. Which traditional Indian food is widely prepared during Kumbh Mela?
a) Khichdi
b) Puri Bhaji
c) Kachori
d) Halwa
Answer: Khichdi
97. Which foreign traveler described Kumbh Mela as “the greatest human gathering”?
a) Hiuen Tsang
b) Mark Twain
c) Ibn Battuta
d) Marco Polo
Answer: Mark Twain
98. What is the role of the Panchayati Akhada during Kumbh Mela?
a) Regulating the schedule of rituals
b) Organizing pilgrim camps
c) Leading public processions
d) Overseeing the Shahi Snan
Answer: Overseeing the Shahi Snan
99. Which animal is considered sacred and commonly seen during Kumbh Mela?
a) Cow
b) Elephant
c) Peacock
d) Tiger
Answer: Cow
100. What is the overarching message of the Kumbh Mela?
a) Unity in diversity
b) Spiritual cleansing
c) Eternal faith in dharma
d) All of the above
Answer: All of the above
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