The 15 quiz questions
Question 1 : What are the three main gods of the Hindu Trimurti?
Possible answers:
- Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
- Ganesh, Lakshmi, Sarasvati
- Rama, Krishna, Hanuman
- Indra, Agni, Varuna
Explanation: The Trimurti brings together three aspects of the divine: Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver and Shiva the destroyer/transformer. Together, they represent the cosmic cycle of creation, preservation and dissolution.
Question 2 : Which elephant-headed Hindu deity is the god of wisdom and beginnings?
Possible answers:
- Ganesh
- Krishna
- Hanuman
- Kali
Explanation: Ganesh (Ganesha) is the son of Shiva and Parvati. According to myth, Shiva accidentally cut off his head and replaced it with an elephant's. He is invoked before any new project or journey.
Question 3 : What is the Hindu "festival of lights" celebrated in autumn called?
Possible answers:
- Diwali
- Holi
- Pongal
- Navratri
Explanation: Diwali (or Deepavali) is the festival of lights, celebrated in October-November. Millions of oil lamps (diyas) are lit to symbolize the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.
Question 4 : How many texts make up the Vedas, Hinduism's oldest sacred writings?
Possible answers:
- 2
- 4
- 7
- 12
Explanation: The Vedas are a collection of 4 texts: Rig Veda (hymns), Sama Veda (chants), Yajur Veda (ritual formulas) and Atharva Veda (incantations). They date from around 1500-500 BCE and are written in Sanskrit.
Question 5 : Which river is considered sacred in Hinduism, where millions of devotees come to purify themselves?
Possible answers:
- The Ganges
- The Mekong
- The Indus
- The Brahmaputra
Explanation: The Ganges (Ganga) is Hinduism's most sacred river. Hindus believe bathing in its waters washes away all sins. Varanasi, on its banks, is India's holiest city.
Question 6 : Which animal is considered sacred in Hinduism and must not be slaughtered?
Possible answers:
- The elephant
- The cow
- The cobra
- The monkey
Explanation: The cow is sacred in Hinduism as it symbolizes maternal generosity and non-violence (ahimsa). It is associated with several deities, notably Krishna. Cow slaughter is banned in most Indian states.
Question 7 : Which sacred sound, considered the primordial vibration of the universe, is the most important mantra in Hinduism?
Possible answers:
- Dharma
- Namaste
- Shanti
- Om
Explanation: Om (ॐ) is the original sacred sound in Hinduism. It represents the cosmic vibration from which the entire universe was born. It is chanted at the beginning and end of prayers and meditation.
Question 8 : In which great Indian epic poem is the Bhagavad Gita, the world's most read Hindu text, found?
Possible answers:
- The Puranas
- The Upanishads
- The Ramayana
- The Mahabharata
Explanation: The Bhagavad Gita is a philosophical dialogue between Prince Arjuna and the god Krishna, embedded in the Mahabharata. This 200,000-verse epic poem is the longest in the world.
Question 9 : Which Hindu spring festival is famous for its throwing of colored powder?
Possible answers:
- Ganesh Chaturthi
- Makar Sankranti
- Holi
- Navratri
Explanation: Holi, the festival of colors, celebrates the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. Participants throw colored pigments (gulal) and tinted water in a festive and egalitarian atmosphere.
Question 10 : What is the liberation from the cycle of reincarnations called in Hinduism?
Possible answers:
- Karma
- Dharma
- Moksha
- Yoga
Explanation: Moksha is the ultimate liberation from the cycle of reincarnations (samsara). The soul (atman) then merges with Brahman, the ultimate reality. It is the supreme goal of Hindu life, comparable to Buddhist Nirvana.
Question 11 : What color is the god Krishna traditionally depicted as?
Possible answers:
- Golden
- Blue
- Green
- Red
Explanation: Krishna is traditionally depicted with blue (or dark blue) skin. This color symbolizes infinity and the divine. Krishna is the 8th avatar of Vishnu and one of Hinduism's most popular deities.
Question 12 : What does the word "yoga" mean in Sanskrit?
Possible answers:
- Light
- Strength
- Union
- Peace
Explanation: Yoga means "union" or "bond" in Sanskrit. It refers to a set of disciplines aimed at uniting body, mind and soul. Yoga originated in India over 5,000 years ago as a Hindu spiritual practice.
Question 13 : What does the red dot (bindi) worn on the forehead between the eyebrows represent in Hindu tradition?
Possible answers:
- Social caste
- The spiritual third eye
- Divine protection
- Marital status
Explanation: The bindi represents the "third eye" (ajna chakra), seat of wisdom and inner vision. Worn between the eyebrows, it symbolizes spiritual awakening. Traditionally red, it is also decorative.
Question 14 : What is the cycle of death and rebirth called in Hinduism?
Possible answers:
- Nirvana
- Atman
- Dharma
- Samsara
Explanation: Samsara is the cycle of death and rebirth to which every soul is subject. The quality of the next life depends on accumulated karma. Liberation (moksha) ends this cycle.
Question 15 : Approximately how many Hindus are there in the world?
Possible answers:
- 500 million
- 800 million
- 1.2 billion
- 2 billion
Explanation: Hinduism has about 1.2 billion followers, or 15% of the world population. It is the 3rd largest religion. 94% of Hindus live in India, which has about 1.1 billion.




