HP GK one liner - Art, Culture and Society of Himachal Pradesh

Fairs and Festivals

• On the banks of which river is the famous 'Minjar Mela' of Himachal Pradesh celebrated in Chamba district? - On the banks of the Ravi river.
• In which month does the international level 'Renuka Fair' begin in Sirmaur district from Prabodhini Ekadashi? - In the month of November (10 days after Diwali).
• Which King of Mandi started the historical 'International Mahashivratri Fair' of Mandi? - King Ajbar Sen (1527 AD).
• For what type of trade is the famous 'Lavi Fair' of Rampur Bushahr known, which is the oldest fair in the state? - For the trade of Tibetan wool, Chamurthi horses, and dry fruits.
• In which historical ground is the world-famous 'Kullu Dussehra' festival of Kullu celebrated? - Dhalpur Ground.
• 'Losar Festival' celebrated in Lahaul-Spiti valley is a major New Year festival of which community? - Buddhist community (Tibetan New Year).
• By what name is the famous 'Flower Festival' celebrated in Kinnaur district known? - Ukhyang or Fulaich Festival.
• In which month is the 'Sipi Fair' held in Mashobra, Shimla district, celebrated? - In the month of May.
• By whom was the famous 'Nalwari Fair' celebrated in Bilaspur district started in 1889? - By W. Goldstein.
• How many times a year is the famous 'Jwalamukhi Fair' of Kangra organized? - Twice (during Chaitra and Ashvin Navratras).

Folk Dances and Theatre

• Which famous folk dance of Sirmaur district is performed mainly by men on the occasion of Diwali? - Boodah dance.
• Which is the well-known folk dance of Kinnaur district in which dancers perform wearing traditional masks? - Chham or Mask dance (Devil Dance).
• Which is the famous collective folk dance of Kullu valley that is performed by hundreds of dancers together during Dussehra? - Naati dance.
• Which folk dance of the Lahaul-Spiti region is performed by Lamas on New Year's welcome and religious occasions? - Shan and Shabu dance.
• Which folk dance of the Mahasu (present-day Shimla and Solan) region is associated with the display of martial arts and archery? - Thoda dance.
• Which is the famous folk theatre prevalent in Kangra and Hamirpur region, performed by women on marriage occasions? - Swang or Jhoori.
• Which famous traditional folk theatre of Chamba district is performed mainly by the Gaddi tribe? - Banthra or Gaddi folk theatre.
• Which is the famous romantic folk dance sung and danced in the hilly regions of Sirmaur and Shimla? - Naati and Ghee dance.
• Which famous folk dance of Kinnaur involves only women, who hold each other's hands to form a semicircle? - Kayang dance.
• Which folk theatre of Himachal Pradesh is performed on an open stage similar to the Nautanki and Ramlila of Uttar Pradesh? - Karyala - mainly in Shimla, Solan, and Bilaspur.

Temples and Architecture

• In which architectural style is the 'Lakshana Devi Temple' located in Bharmour, Chamba built? - Wooden/Pent-roof or Pagoda style.
• 'Masroor Rock Cut Temple' located in Kangra district is an excellent example of which architectural style? - Indo-Aryan/Nagara Shikhara style.
• By what other name is the Masroor Rock Cut Temple known due to the grandeur of its architecture? - Ellora of Himachal.
• In which specific style is the famous 'Hadimba Temple' located in Manali (Kullu) built, which has a three-storeyed shikhara? - Pagoda Style.
• Due to its antiquity and murals, what is the 'Tabo Monastery' located in Lahaul-Spiti called? - Ajanta of the Himalayas.
• To which goddess is the 'Hatkoti Temple' of Jubbal near Shimla dedicated, and what is its architecture like? - Mata Mahishasuramardini (Classical Shikhara style).
• The famous 'Naina Devi Temple' of Bilaspur is situated on a hilltop; which king had it built? - King Bir Chand.
• What is the architecture of the Buddhist stupas and religious buildings found in the border areas of Kinnaur and Lahaul called? - Bhot Architecture.
• How many temples in total are included in the historical 'Lakshmi Narayan Temple' complex located in Chamba city? - Six temples (Three dedicated to Shiva and three to Vishnu).
• Due to its many ancient Shiva temples, by what nickname is Mandi city known? - Chhoti Kashi.

Tribes and Social Customs

• In which hilly region and district does the 'Gaddi' tribe of Himachal Pradesh mainly reside? - Chamba district (Bharmour region - also known as Gadaran).
• The 'Pangwal' tribe of the Lahaul region is mainly found in which remote subdivision of Chamba district? - Pangi subdivision.
• By what name are the original inhabitants of Kinnaur district known in ancient texts and local society? - Kinner or Khash (and Kanaura).
• Which religion do the 'Bhot' or 'Bodh' tribe of Lahaul-Spiti follow, and what is their system in society? - Tibetan Buddhism (Mahayana sect).
• What is the traditional woolen coat worn by the people of the Gaddi tribe called in the local language? - Chola and Dora (woolen rope).
• The famous marriage practice 'Darush' or 'Damchalshish' prevalent in Kinnaur and Lahaul society is what type of marriage? - Forced or love marriage (abduction marriage).
• Under the social system prevalent in the Pangwal tribe, what is the 'Peeth-Chuk' practice related to? - A ritual of marriage (Elopement marriage).
• Which unique system of distribution of family property is followed in the tribal society of Lahaul-Spiti? - Jethang and Kanchang (special rights of elder and younger brother).
• Which traditional social justice system is used in tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh to resolve disputes at the local level? - Deity Courts.
• What is the famous woolen cap worn by men in Kinnaur society called, which has a green or velvet border? - Kinnauri cap (Bushehri Cap).

Costumes, Ornaments and Cuisine

• What is the traditional community feast prepared on weddings and special festivals in the Kangra and Mandi regions of Himachal Pradesh called? - Dham.
• By what name are the traditional cooks who prepare 'Dham' called in the local language? - Boti.
• What is the colorful traditional scarf (scarf) tied on the head by women in Kullu and Shimla hills called? - Dhatu.
• What is the famous traditional silver neck ornament worn by the women of Chamba called? - Chamba Chok or Sikka Mala.
• By what name is the large and ornate silver ornament worn on the chest by the women of Kinnaur known? - Digra.
• What is the traditional wine made from preserved meat and barley to protect against cold during winters in Lahaul-Spiti called? - Chhang.
• In the hilly regions of Himachal, Siddu is a very popular traditional dish made from which flour? - Wheat flour (steamed after fermenting).
• What is the ornate woolen cap worn on the head by men in Kangra and Kullu valley called? - Kulluvi cap.
• What is the embroidery done on the famous handicraft art 'Chamba Rumal' called because it looks the same on both sides? - Do-Rukha Embroidery.
• Which region of Himachal Pradesh has received a Geographical Indication (GI Tag) for its 'Black Cumin' (Kala Jeera) and 'Chuli Oil' due to their medicinal properties? - Kinnaur district.

Folk Songs, Ballads and Music

• Which famous separation folk song of Chamba district is based on the immortal love story of a King and a Gaddan (Kunju-Chanchlo)? - Kunju-Chanchlo folk song.
• Which famous folk song of the Kangra region depicts the separation agony of a newly married bride towards her maternal home? - Hari Singh Raja Ri Katthari or Laman.
• Which is the famous heroic saga song sung in Sirmaur district that describes the war skills of local heroes? - Haar singing.
• What are the religious folk songs sung in Kullu and Mandi region, which are sung in praise of deities, called? - Dev Sakhiyan or Hela.
• What are the short, poetic, and love-filled songs sung in the hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh called? - Jhoori and Laman.
• In the folk tales of the Gaddi tribe, in which category of songs does 'Gangi' come? - Love and separation songs.
• Which famous folk song of the Bilaspur (Kahlur) region sings the saga of the sacred love and sacrifice of a brother and sister? - Mohana folk song.
• What are the main musical instruments played in the traditional folk music of Himachal Pradesh that are the soul of every festival? - Dhol, Nagara, Shehnai, Ransingha, and Karnal.
• What is the long brass musical instrument played by Lamas during prayer in the Buddhist monasteries of Lahaul-Spiti called? - Dungchen.
• What are the songs sung in the folk music of Sirmaur based on the stories of Mahabharata called? - Barahmasa or Thoda music.

Languages, Dialects and Literature

• According to the Linguistic Survey of India, most of the dialects of Himachal Pradesh fall under which language family? - Pahari language family (Western Pahari).
• Which sub-dialect is mainly spoken in Kangra, Hamirpur, and Una districts, which is quite similar to Dogri? - Kangri dialect.
• By what name is the local dialect of Bilaspur district known, whose grammar is slightly different? - Kahluri dialect.
• Which is the main tribal language spoken in Kinnaur district that is influenced by the Tibeto-Burman family? - Homskad or Kinnauri language.
• What is the name of the local dialect spoken in the region of Chandra and Bhaga rivers of Lahaul valley? - Punan or Bhoti.
• Which is the official language of Himachal Pradesh that is recognized for administrative work? - Hindi (The second official language is Sanskrit).
• In which year was the 'Himachal Academy of Arts, Culture, and Languages' established to promote the Pahari language? - In 1968 AD (Shimla).
• What is the book written by the famous author of Himachal Pradesh, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar, which is a research treatise on the society here? - Polyandry in the Himalayas.
• 'Kulut Desh Ki Kahani' नामक प्रसिद्ध ऐतिहासिक पुस्तक के लेखक कौन हैं? - Lal Chand Prarthi.
• In which schedule of the Constitution is the Himachal government constantly trying to include the Pahari language? - In the Eighth Schedule.

Social Systems, Laws and Marriage

• In ancient times, for what purpose was the 'Polyandry' system prevalent in the princely states of Shimla Hills mainly practiced? - To prevent the partition of agricultural land pieces.
• In some tribal families of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti, what type of marriage system's historical remnants can still be seen today? - Fraternal Polyandry.
• What type of ritual does the 'Jhindphuk' marriage prevalent in the Pangwal society of Chamba represent? - Love marriage performed by burning shrubs or without much expense.
• In rural areas of Himachal, if a married woman leaves her husband and marries another man, what is the compensation given by the new husband to the former husband called? - Reet or 'money of honor'.
• What is the practice of 'Exchange Marriage' in the Gaddi tribe of Chamba called in the local language? - Batta-Satta practice.
• What are the special gifts given by the maternal uncle at the time of a girl's marriage in the Hindu society of Kangra and Mandi called? - Suag-Chhadi or Sandook Reet.
• In the Buddhist society of Lahaul, the divorce ritual is completed by breaking a woolen thread; what is it called in the local language? - Kudpa Chodcha.
• 'Jhajra' prevalent in the hilly areas of Sirmaur is a form of which social ritual? - A type of traditional marriage method.
• In which year was the State Commission for Women formed in Himachal Pradesh to stop social evils and protect women's rights? - In 1993 AD.
• What is the traditional practice of mutual brotherhood and exchange of labor in the rural areas of Shimla and Solan called? - Avartan or Juari practice.

Painting Styles and Handicrafts

• Which is considered the oldest painting style of Himachal Pradesh, which emerged near the Jammu border? - Basohli Painting Style.
• What was the main center of the 'Kangra Painting Style' that developed under the patronage of King Sansar Chand? - Sujanpur Tira and Nadaun.
• Who were the main and most famous painters of the Kangra painting style, whose paintings depict the love of Radha-Krishna? - Manku and Nainsukh.
• Which king is credited with taking the Guler painting style to its peak? - King Govardhan Chand.
• The wall paintings done in the palaces of Chamba are considered an excellent example of which art style? - Chamba School of Painting.
• In the reign of which king of Kullu did the 'Kullu painting style' develop independently? - King Pritam Singh.
• Which district of Himachal Pradesh is world-famous for its famous woolen shawl manufacturing and handicrafts with a GI Tag? - Kullu district (Kullu Shawl).
• Which handicraft item of Kinnaur district is known for its fine weaving and traditional designs, which has received a national award? - Kinnauri Shawl.
• Which center is working near Palampur to revive the famous 'Pottery' art of Kangra? - Andretta Art Gallery (Established by Norah Richards).
• In which beautiful place of Himachal Pradesh is the art gallery of the famous Russian painter Nicholas Roerich located? - Naggar (Kullu).

Religious Places, Dargahs and Gurdwaras

• The 'Gurdwara Paonta Sahib' built in Paonta Sahib in memory of the tenth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, is situated on the banks of which river? - On the banks of the Yamuna River.
• For the treatment of which mental illness and faith is the famous 'Dera Baba Barbhag Singh' fair located in Una district known? - For mental peace and liberation from the influence of evil spirits (at a place called Mehdi).
• 'Rewalsar Lake' located in Mandi district is a shared sacred pilgrimage site for people of which three religions? - Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sikhism.
• The Buddhist monk 'Padmasambhava' (Guru Rinpoche) is deeply associated with which famous religious place in Himachal Pradesh? - Rewalsar (Mandi).
• The 'Jakhoo Temple' located on Jakhoo Hill in Shimla is dedicated to which Hindu deity, where there is a huge 108 feet tall statue of him? - Lord Hanuman Ji.
• The famous Siddhapeeth 'Baba Balak Nath' temple located in Hamirpur district is situated inside which cave? - Dhyotsidh cave.
• The 'Chamunda Devi Temple' located in Kangra valley is situated on the banks of which river, where devotees enjoy natural beauty? - On the banks of the Baner River.
• The famous 'Dashnami Akhara' and historical Dargah located near Shahpur in Kangra is associated with which Sufi saint? - Baba Bhittu Shah.
• What is the famous religious place of Hindus, 'Kinner Kailash', located in Kinnaur district, mainly? - A natural rocky Shivling (79 feet high).
• The 'Trilokpur Temple' located in Sirmaur district is dedicated to which goddess, built by King Deep Prakash in 1573? - Mata Bala Sundari.