This quiz concerns festivals celebrated by people of different faiths all around the world in the month of January. It shows how man for generations has exalted Him and His presence on earth in this blessed month in so many beautiful ways and found light, peace, bliss.

1. Shinto is a native religion of Japan and was once its state religion. Shinto is commonly translated as "the Way of the Gods." The Shinto New Year’s Day, is called ‘Gantan Sai’. Starting on January 1, for how many days does their celebration last?

A. 1 day
B. 2 days
C. 5 days
D. 7 days

2. On January 5, Sikhs celebrate the birth of the 10th and last Guru, Guru Gobind Singh who is remembered for having transformed the Sikh faith by instituting the panj kakke, or five K’s - five physical symbols that Sikh’s must wear, namely: Kesh (uncut hair), Kanga (small comb), Kara (circular heavy metal bracelet), Kirpan (ceremonial dagger) and Kacha (long underwear), thereby establishing the order of the Khalsa. What does the word khalsa mean?

A. Strong
B. Courageous
C. Pure
D. Desireless

3. The term ‘Epiphany’ is derived from the Greek term ‘epiphaneia’ which implies manifestation or appearance. Along with Easter and Christmas, it is one of the major Christian celebrations. This holy day is usually celebrated on January 6, to mark the presentation of the newborn Jesus to the Magi or the Three Wise Men - Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. What is this feast also known as?

A. Second Christmas Day
B. Three Kings’ Day
C. Manifestation Day
D. Magi Day

4. In most Islamic countries, on January 10, ‘Al Hijra’, the Islamic New Year, is celebrated on the first day of ‘Muharram’, the month in which Prophet _______ emigrated from Mecca to Medina . The holiday is also known simply as Muharram. Which one of these Prophets was he?

A. Adam
B. Muhammad
C. Ibrahim
D. Yusuf

5. ‘Makar Sankranti’ is the first Hindu festival of the solar calendar year, falling around January 14. ‘Makar’ means Capricorn and ‘Sankranti’ is the transition from one place to another place. Transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere (Uttarayana) is known as Makar Sankranti. In His Discourses, Swami has alluded to the word ‘Sankranti’ and said that ‘kranti’ means _____?

A. Revolution
B. Change
C. New
D. Peace

6. January 21 is observed as World Religion Day. This day is observed on the Third Sunday in January each year, in all Continents, from major cities to the most rural of localities. World Religion Day events help foster interfaith understanding and harmony. Which major Religion started this celebration?

A. Bahá'í
B. Buddhist
C. Sikh
D. Jain

7. Wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, dates - these seven foods are customarily eaten on the Jewish festival of ‘Tu B’Shevat’. In the Hebrew Bible, the Torah, they are enumerated as being special products of the Land of Israel and they are considered more important than other fruits, and a special blessing is recited after eating them. Hence, January 22 is the Jewish New Year for ______.

A. Seeds
B. Flowers
C. Fruits
D. Trees

8. Buddhists celebrate many different holidays throughout the year. The events and dates vary depending on the particular country. In Mahayana Buddhist countries - Tibet, China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, Nepal - on which day is the Buddhist New Year celebrated?

A. The first day of January.
B. The first full moon of the year.
C. New moon day.
D. The last day of January.

9. Every year, on 30 January, thousands of Zoroastrians in Iran and other countries celebrate the religious feast of ‘Sadeh’ or ‘Jashn-e Sadeh’, by burning firewood in an open space to signify the coming of spring. On this day a huge holy bonfire is lit in the street, with a flame from the fire temple, and there is chanting from sacred texts. ‘Sadeh’ in Persian means "hundred" and refers to one hundred days and nights left to the beginning of the New Year. For how long is this fire kept burning?

A. Until it burns itself out.
B. All night.
C. For 100 days.
D. All year round.

10. The word 'Guru' in Sanskrit means teacher, honoured person, religious person or saint. Sikhism though, has a very specific definition of the word 'Guru'. It means the descent of Divine guidance to mankind provided through ten Enlightened Masters. This honour of being called a Sikh Guru applies only to the ten Gurus who founded the religion. On January 31, the Birth of Guru Har Rai is celebrated. While Guru Nanak is the first Sikh Guru, which is Guru Har Rai’s position?

A. 3rd
B. 5th
C. 7th
D. 9th

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-Heart2Heart Team