Friday, September 28, 2012

DharmaQuiz Session 166: 28-Sep-2012

For Question 3's reference. {Source: Jpgmag}
Theme: Special place for Cow in Hindu Heritage.
  1. Name a Vishnu avatara that is very closely linked to loving & protecting the cow. #DharmaQuiz 1186. Ans: Krishna the Gopala. Go (cow) Pala  (protector)
  2. During churning of milky ocean, 5 Kamadhenus (wish cows) came out. Name the 5th 1 after Nanda, Subhadra, Surabhi & Sushila. #DharmaQuiz 1187. Ans: Bahula. (Sumana also considered per Hare Krishna preachings)
  3. Name the famous pilgrimage place in coastal Karnataka, which is shaped as the ear of a Cow when viewed from satellite. #DharmaQuiz 1188. Ans: Gokarna (Go = cow, Karna = ear). Amazing how Hindus named it Go-Karna millenia back! See Google map for shape -> http://maps.google.com/maps?q=gokarna&hl=en&ll=14.546367,74.317017&spn=0.195403,0.308647&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=40.817312,79.013672hnear=Gokarna,+Uttara+Kannada,+Karnataka,+India&t=m&z=12 . Compare with the picture shown.
  4. Ayurveda talks of 4 Cow products for human use & disinfection. Godugdha, Goghruta, Gomutra and Gomaya. Which 1 is Ghee here? #DharmaQuiz 1189. Ans: Goghruta. 
  5. This town, "Land of Cow" in Sanskrit, became infamous for violence 10yrs ago in West India. Name it. #DharmaQuiz 1190.  Ans: Godhra (Go = cow, Dhara = Land) 
For more info on the special place for cows in Hindu nation, please read this article by Subramanian Swamy -> http://janamejayan.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/the-importance-of-the-cow-in-vedic-culture-by-dr-subramanian-swamy/

Top Scorers:
  1. @keewwllguy : 5
  2. @smna17 : 5
  3. @sharad_51 : 5
  4. @arunz : 5
  5. @stormylook : 5
  6. @sweetandu : 5
  7. @surnell : 5
  8. @shawjipk : 5
  9. @rahulghildiyal : 5
  10. @amit8195 : 5
  11. @alkeshtunara : 5
  12. @Sahyadri : 5
  13. @sharathinindia : 5
  14. @dolby_mehul : 5
  15. @abhipar7 : 5
  16. @bhaviknz : 5
  17. @man8shree : 5
  18. @DevNakshi  : 5
  19. @Shree03 : 5
Also, congrats to:
  • @Susri1210 : 4
  • @Manojakrishna : 4
  • @surenc1974 : 4
  • @Amaresh80 : 4
  • @kbharada : 4
  • @bhijeetD : 4
  • @balmaa : 3
  • @RishiShenoy :  3
  • @rinku3009 : 2
  • @cubicle_warrier : 2
  • @AvinashCKM : 2
  • @PankajBagla : 2
  • @praveenudupa : 2
  • @shra1kulkarni : 2
  • @ManishManke : 2
  • @rk_kulkarni : 2
  • @MsKattarHindu : 1
  • @videonova : 1
  • @bkapilyadav : 1
  • @kishubhat : 1
  • @santoshsm : 1
  • @bickybadhera : 1
  • @Deshabhakta : 1
  • @mayureshgaikwad : 1
  • @SSJ2010 : 1
  • @umanathtrip : 1
  • @veenaazz : 1
  • @emsreenu : 1
  • @TheArvindDhar : 1
  • @TedhiLakeer : 1
  • @CJ_Shekhar : 1
  • @djankit7 : 1
  • @arvind_joshi : 1
  • @spandan8 : 1
  • @techblueprints : 1
  • @mane_arvind05 : 1
  • @Alex_Pandian : 1
  • @dankchikidang : 1
  • @hemant_smile : 1
  • @aamadmo : 1
  • @sandeeptvenkat : 1
  • @bhattvihang : 1
  • @DAmunRa : 1
It was wonderful to see 62 people get on the scoreboard. Also thanks to many more who attempted, but didn't get to this list.

Keep up your participation. Also, feel free to use the meticulously compiled info in Dharma Quiz blog into your blogs, writeups, emails and anywhere else as necessary!

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

DharmaQuiz Session 165: 25-Sep-2012

Theme: Vishwa Hindu Parishad or World Hindu Council.
  1. On the Krishna Janmashtami day of which calendar year was Vishwa Hindu Parishad or theWorld Hindu Council founded? #DharmaQuiz 1181. Ans: 1964.
  2. In which year did Vishwa Hindu Parishad launch its youth wing Bajrang Dal with a slogan "Garv se kaho hum Hindu hain"?  #DharmaQuiz 1182. Ans: 1984
  3. In 1991, Vishwa Hindu Parishad launched its women's' wing, Durga Vahini, with a famous Sadhvi as the chairperson. Name her. #DharmaQuiz 1183. Ans: Sadhvi Ritambara.
  4. Vishwa Hindu Parishad conducted 3 World Hindu meets at Prayag. From how many nations Hindus participated? a) 75 b) 48 c) 18 #DharmaQuiz 1184. Ans: b) 48.
  5. Name any one Hindu sacred place or monument in south India, that VHP has famously fought for. #DharmaQuiz 1185. Ans: Rama sethu, Tirupati hills' recovery from government, Datta peetha encroachment removal etc.
Top Scorers:
  1. @Senag23 : 5
  2. @Manjunaath : 5
  3. @dolby_mehul : 5
  4. @arunz : 5
  5. @hindu_tweeter : 5
  6. @ManiKSK : 5
  7. @man8shree : 5
  8. @bhaviknz : 5
  9. @TheArvindDhar : 5
  10. @abhipar7 : 5
  11. @DevNakshi : 5
  12. @sharathinindia : 5
  13. @rahulghildiyal : 5
Congrats to:
  • @pvaidyaraj : 4
  • @surnell : 4
  • @truevirathindu : 3
  • @geophyraj : 2
  • @kbharada : 2
  • @Bharathnagar : 2
  • @rk_kulkarni : 2
  • @drsriramvdongre : 1
  • @sweetandu : 1
  • @roshanmadhav4 : 1
  • @Bact_man : 1
  • @voxindica : 1
  • @cpings4 : 1
  • @iNeelSoni : 1
  • @kshetragnya : 1
  • @navneet2frn : 1
  • @suryakantpandey : 1
  • @kapsology : 1
Thanks to all those who attempted, but could not make to the list above. Better luck next time.


Friday, September 21, 2012

DharmaQuiz Session 164: 21-Sep-2012

Theme: Bhagawan Ganesha's Names in Different Languages
  1. Ganesha is called Pillayar in this language. Which one? #DharmaQuiz 1176. Ans: Tamil or Thamizh.
  2. Lord Ganesha is known as 'Shoten' in a country outside India. In which language? #DharmaQuiz 1177. Ans: Japanese
  3. In which language is Ganesha called as "Phra Pikanet"?. (Hint: 2004 Tsunami hit this nation) #DharmaQuiz 1178. Ans: Thai language.
  4. In which language is Ganapati called "Tsog gi dagpo, mar chen"? {Hint: Extremely cold nation}. #DharmaQuiz 1179. Ans: Tibetan (Chamdo, thanks to friend @Surnell )
  5. {Final, Open till 11 PM} From which is the most famous praise/slogan "Ganpati Bappa Morya" taken? #DharmaQuiz 1180. Ans: Marathi.
Top Scorers:
  1. @ManiKSK : 5
  2. @iSumitRk : 5
  3. @man8shree : 5
  4. @abhipar7 : 5
  5. @rahulghildiyal : 5
  6. @surenc1974 : 5
  7. @DevNakshi : 5
  8. @TheArvindDhar : 5
  9. @arunz : 5
  10. @pvaidyaraj : 5
  11. @surnell : 5
  12. @sharad_51  : 5
  13. @sweetandu : 5
  14. @Shree03 : 5
  15. @intodust_in : 5
  16. @bhaviknz : 5
  17. @deetham : 5
Congrats to:
  • @sharathinindia : 4
  • @jemin_p : 4
  • @Susri1210 : 3
  • @alkeshtunara : 2
  • @ArunTatTvamAsi : 2
  • @VikranthKalva  : 2
  • @natrajan : 1
  • @nikysaji : 1
  • @SuryaTiranga : 1
  • @sweetsudha1 : 1
  • @Sreevathsaa : 1
  • @pvsswamy : 1
  • @murali_2ms : 1
  • @being_hassan : 1
  • @Dilipmys : 1
  • @nemkals : 1
  • @jai1900 : 1
  • @dhanu_lagna : 1
  • @bezubaan : 1
  • @siddarthpaim : 1
  • @shurabh : 1
  • @SukuNambi : 1
  • @oneandonlydilip : 1
  • @_Aniket : 1
  • @apthamitra : 1
  • @arun88twts : 1
  • @kharesm : 1
  • @sudsmobile : 1
  • @Twadda : 1
  • @manohar_sram : 1
  • @ChandanYogendra : 1

Hope you all had a great Ganapati week. Keep sharing your comments here or on Twitter for improvement of DharmaQuiz. Thanks.

DharmaQuiz Session 163: 14-Sep-2012

Theme: Acharya Chanakya's Arthashatra
  1. Chanakya taught 7 tricks to Chandragupta. Sanmana, Daana, Danda, Bheda, Maya, Upeksha & Indrajala. What does Upeksha mean? #DharmaQuiz 1171. Ans: Ignoring strategically.
  2. How many books are there in Acharya Chanakya's mega treatise collection, Arthashastra? #DharmaQuiz 1172. Ans: 15 books.
  3. Chanakya in depth describes the qualities of a Rajarshi, a wise & virtuous king. Name any 1 Rajarshi from Ramayana. #DharmaQuiz 1173. Ans: Vishwamitra or Janaka.
  4. Which of these 3 does Chanakya term as the most harmful vice? a) Hunting. b) Lust for women. c) Addiction to drinks.   #DharmaQuiz 1174. Ans: c) Addition to drinks.
  5. Arthashastra terms the science of law enforcement as? d) Sutra Niti. e) Danda Niti. f) Praja Niti. #DharmaQuiz 1175. Ans: Danda Niti.
Top scorers:
  1. @intodust_in : 5
  2. @sharathinindia : 5
  3. @smna17 : 5
  4. @Shree03 : 5
  5. @cybercalci : 5
  6. @abhipar7 : 5
  7. @iSaakshi : 5
  8. @arunz : 5
  9. @surnell : 5
  10. @shanthigrama : 5
  11. @asraghunath : 5
  12. @TheArvindDhar : 5
Congrats to:
  • @surenc1974 : 4
  • @sweetandu : 4
  • @shylsmn : 4
  • @anandt_05 : 4
  • @DevNakshi : 4
  • @ChandanYogendra : 4

  • @Mimaniya : 3
  • @R_Bhartiya : 3

  • @SamitLive : 2
  • @CJ_Shekhar : 2
  • @raopm9 : 1
  • @lldhr : 1
  • @SandeepShelke : 1
  • @alkeshtunara : 1
  • @psudo : 1
  • @shivsBHARAT : 1
  • @aaryesdeeblore : 1
  • @servantofkrsna : 1
  • @zizou789 : 1
  • @Taures_RF : 1
  • @ashutoshkulkar1 : 1
  • @kapildsharma : 1
  • @subodh1945 : 1
  • @veenaazz : 1
  • @hethal09 : 1
  • @seeniram : 1
  • @ashokhajeri : 1

Thanks for participation!

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

DharmaQuiz Session 162: 11-Sep-2012

Theme: Swami Vivekananda's September 11th 1893 speech at Chicago.
  1. On Sep 11, 1893, in which Chicago hall did Swami Vivekananda give his "Brother & Sisters of America" speech?  #DharmaQuiz 1166 #Remember911 Ans: Fullerton Hall at the Art Institute of Chicago. (Hall of Columbus considered too). See -> http://hinduism.about.com/b/2012/09/11/swami-vivekanadas-911-speech.htm?nl=1
  2. Vivekananda give his 1st speech on Sep 11, 1893. When was his last speech during the same world's parliament of religions? #DharmaQuiz 1167. Ans: September 27, 1893.
  3. What did Swami Vivekananda teach in America primarily? a) Puranas. b) Mahabharata. c) Vedanta. #DharmaQuiz 1168. Ans: c) Vedanta.
  4. Vivekananda's speech at Chicago covered Hinduism teaching the world tolerance and universal acceptance. True or False?  #DharmaQuiz 1169. Ans: True. Read his speech here -> http://hinduism.about.com/od/vivekananda/a/vivekananda_speeches.htm and http://hinduism.about.com/od/vivekananda/a/vivekananda_speeches_2.htm
  5. {Final,Open till 11PM} Vivekananda spoke at Chicago about a grand religion of West Asia to which India gave refuge. Name it #DharmaQuiz 1170. Ans: Zoroastrianism.
Top Scorers during session 162:
  1. @sweetandu : 5
  2. @DevNakshi : 5
  3. @Manjunaath : 5
  4. @asraghunath : 5
  5. @intodust_in : 5
  6. @abhipar7 : 5
  7. @anandt_05 : 5
  8. @hchaturv : 5
  9. @Shree03 : 5
  10. @surnell : 5
  11. @iSaakshi : 5
Congrats to:
  • @sharathinindia : 4
  • @prashanthkpp : 4
  • @kapil_dev : 3
  • @man8shreen : 3
  • @Sahyadri : 2
  • @rinku3009 : 2
  • @bihar_ke_lala : 2
  • @IndianDarKnight : 2
  • @shylsmn : 2
  • @RaiAbhinav84 : 1
  • @Bhaarateeyudu : 1
  • @Sameer470 : 1
  • @CJ_Shekhar : 1
  • @nipun1090 : 1
  • @ChandanYogendra : 1
  • @PankajBagla : 1
  • @um_dubey : 1
  • @SandeepShelke : 1
  • @MadhusudanLohia : 1
  • @akyma1947 : 1
  • @UtsavMitra : 1
Do read through the reference links provided above to understand what a stellar performance was that of Swami Vivekananda in 1893.

Friday, September 7, 2012

DharmaQuiz Session 161: 7-Sep-2012

Theme: Famous Hindu/Sikh temples outside India.
  1. Benzaiten is the Japanese name for a famous Hindu goddess. Who?  #DharmaQuiz 1161. Ans: Saraswati. Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzaiten
  2. Combodia's Angkor Wat, largest Hindu temple complex in world, has influence from 2 Indian states. 1 is Odisha. The other? #DharmaQuiz 1162. Ans: Tamil Nadu, the Chola influence.
  3. In 2011, historic Gorakhnath temple reopened in Pakistan, thanks to a court verdict, after 60yrs of closure. In which city? #DharmaQuiz 1163. Ans: Peshawar, NWFP. Read more here - http://hindutemplespakistan.blogspot.in/
  4. Sri Sri Ravishankar addressed a huge crowd at Argentina y'day. Name the place where Argentina's biggest Gurudwara exists. #DharmaQuiz 1164. Ans: Rosario de la Frontera in Salta province.
  5. In 1975, Swami Ghanananda Saraswati, an African, setup a Hindu temple in West Africa. Which nation? #DharmaQuiz 1165. Ans: The hint is in his name, Ghana. Read more here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10401741
Top scorers:
  • @smna17 : 5
  • @arunz : 5
  • @mareekuree : 5
  • @intodust_in : 5
  • @iSaakshi : 5
  • @nisargsoni : 5
  • @pvaidyaraj : 5
  • @anandt_05 : 5
  • @Manjunaath : 5
  • @cybercalci : 5
  • @abhipar7 : 4
  • @Amaresh80 : 4
  • @surnell : 4
  • @ramas_cal : 4
  • @DevNakshi : 4
  • @sharathinindia : 4
  • @sweetandu : 4
  • @hindu_tweeter : 4
  • @rahulghildiyal : 4
  • @dolby_mehul : 4
  • @jemin_p : 3
  • @Dhanushm : 3
  • @iSumitRk : 3
  • @surenc1974 : 3
  • @pkagrawala : 3
  • @srinivasa444 : 2
  • @SandeepShelke : 2
  • @wavehit : 2
  • @KPGanesh : 1
  • @zizou789 : 1
  • @man8shree : 1
  • @rinku3009 : 1
  • @sandeepsmysore : 1
  • @RiddleBoza : 1
  • @RohitR_ : 1
  • @kannaniyyer : 1
This was a tougher one, but very glad that so many answered with or without searching on the net. It helps for Hindus to know famous Hindu shrines outside India.

See you next time.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

DharmaQuiz Session 160: 4-Sep-2012

Theme: Dharmic names of Indian cities.
  1. Name this city in South India that has a 1000 pillar temple nearby and had the name Eka Shila Nagar in olden days. #DharmaQuiz 1156. Ans: Warangal or Oru Gallu (One Rock) in Andhra Pradesh. Abode of Bhadrakali.
  2. This city on the banks of a famous Western Indian river had a name that started with "Karna" after a Solanki king. Name it. #DharmaQuiz 1157. Ans: Karnavati or Ahmedabad or Amdavad in Gujarat.
  3. Name this major city in North India, with over 30,00,000 population, that originally was named after Kanhaiya or Krishna.  #DharmaQuiz 1158. Ans: Kanpur, UP.
  4. Name this city (and district with same name) in the northernmost state of India, named after Vishnu's Varaha avatara. #DharmaQuiz 1159. Ans: Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir. Originally, Varaha Mula (Boar's Origin)
  5. {Final,Open till 11PM} Name this city in Eastern India,whose name was Aastika Grama, before Jain Mahavira spent time there. #DharmaQuiz 1160. Ans: Bardhaman, Poschim Bongo.
Top Scorers of session 160:
  1. @sweetandu : 5
  2. @bhaviknz : 5
  3. @intodust_in : 5
  4. @abhipar7 : 5
  5. @DevNakshi : 5
  6. @hindu_tweeter : 5
  7. @Amaresh80 : 5
  8. @sharathinindia : 5
  9. @cybercalci : 5
  10. @iSaakshi : 5
Congrats to:
  • @nisargsoni : 4
  • @mareekuree : 4
  • @dolby_mehul : 4
  • @simplybhavesh : 4
  • @venkateshkm : 4
  • @RohitR_ : 3
  • @vbpulla : 3
  • @cpings4 : 3
  • @abhikayabhi : 2
  • @kalyan_sk3011 : 2
  • @SudheerS : 2
  • @VaaNara : 2
  • @satyamitra08 : 1
  • @mjrajput : 1
  • @niraj_dave : 1
  • @surenc1974 : 1
  • @gvenki9868 : 1
  • @raunakjhawar : 1
  • @man0jsharma : 1
  • @ChandanYogendra : 1
  • @wupendram : 1
  • @numbbybirth : 1
  • @manohar_sram : 1
  • @NayakPradeep : 1
  • @KPGanesh : 1
  • @um_dubey : 1

Do feel free to suggest subjects for future DharmaQuiz. You can also conduct it by contacting me offline, if interested.