Hinduism is one of the oldest and richest religions in the world, with roots tracing back over 3,000 years in India. It is considered to be the third largest religion in the world with over 1 billion followers worldwide. Hinduism is characterized by a diverse set of beliefs and practices, with no single authoritative text or leader, and a focus on individual self-discovery and realization.
Hinduism places great emphasis on the importance of dharma, or one's duty in life, and the pursuit of moksha, or ultimate liberation from the cycle of reincarnation. Hindu rituals and practices include puja (worship), yoga, and meditation, as well as major festivals such as Diwali, which celebrates the victory of light over darkness, and Holi, which celebrates the arrival of spring.
Hinduism has had a profound impact on Indian culture and society and has greatly influenced other religions, such as Buddhism and Jainism. Despite facing challenges and oppression throughout history, Hinduism continues to play a vital role in the lives of millions of people and is seen as a source of wisdom, spirituality, and creativity.
27 Hinduism Trivia Questions Ranked From Easiest to Hardest (Updated for 2024)
- “Tía” in Spanish, “tante” in German or French, “chaachee” in Hindi, and “eama” in Arabic are all words that mean what relative in English?
Answer: Aunt
- The phrase "sacred cow" to describe a person or thing immune from criticism comes from what religion that in fact does revere cows as holy animals?
Answer: Hindu
- With more than 500 million native speakers, what is the most commonly spoken language in India?
Answer: Hindi
- What four-letter term is a title given to spiritual teachers in the Hindu and Buddhist traditions, especially those who impart initiation?
Answer: Guru
- Lakshmi is one of the principal goddesses in a certain religion, and her vahana (mount) in that religion is an owl. What is this religion?
Answer: Hinduism
- Deriving from a Hindi phrase meaning “learned one”, what six-letter “P” word describes a broadcaster, commentator, or writer who specializes in analyzing politics?
Answer: Pundit
- Headquartered in the city of Kanpur, Dainik Jagran has the highest daily circulation of any newspaper written in what Asian language?
Answer: Hindi
- It's not officially known but because of his name, most sources believe Singapura king Parameswara was a follower of what third-largest religion in the world?
Answer: Hinduism
- Located at 45–57 Bowne Street in Flushing, Queens and popularly referred to as the Ganesh Temple, this structure claims to be the very first temple in the U.S. representing the traditional form of what major religion?
Answer: Hinduism
- Signifying the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance, what is the name of the Hindu light festival that usually falls at the end of October / beginning of November?
Answer: Diwali
- Christianity and Islam each have more than one billion followers. So does one other world religion. What is it?
Answer: Hinduism
- What northernmost region of India was known by the Ancient Greeks as Kasperia and eventually became an important center of Hinduism and Buddhism? The area is also the title of a Led Zeppelin song that opens with the lyric "Oh, let the sun beat down upon my face."
Answer: Kashmir
- The English word for which type of residential building is derived from Hindi meaning “belonging to Bengal?”
Answer: Bungalow
- Bhang, an edible mixture made from the leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant, is frequently consumed at what colorful Hindu spring festival?
Answer: Holi
- The Hindu deities Brahma, Vishnu, and Lakshmi are commonly depicted in religious art as sitting or standing on what flower, now the national flower of India?
Answer: Lotus
- What enormous antelope, whose name means "blue cow" in Hindi, can be found throughout northern India?
Answer: Nilgai
- Hindustani is a pluricentric language with two standard registers: Hindi, which is principally influenced by Sanskrit, and what other, principally influenced by Persian and Arabic?
Answer: Urdu
- In Hindu mythology, the hero Rama is the seventh avatar of what god who is the preserver and protector of the universe?
Answer: Vishnu
- The Hindu god of love Kamadeva shoots flower arrows from a sugarcane bow frequently strung with what type of sweet insects?
Answer: Bees
- What slang term for cannabis is a loanword from Hindi, which in turn comes from an older Sanskrit word for hemp?
Answer: Ganja
- Following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposal of the concept three months prior, the U.N. general assembly in December 2014 officially declared June 21 as the “International Day of” what system of exercises that’s also a well-known theistic Hindu philosophy?
Answer: Yoga
- "Counting Blue Cars" is a 1995 top-20 hit from what alt-rock band whose name comes from a Hindi term for a person who shares satellite TV with others in their neighborhood?
Answer: Dishwalla
- Both the Hindu japa mala and the Roman Catholic rosary are what type of tool used in devotional meditation?
Answer: Prayer beads
- What Hindi or Urdu word refers to pulses like dried, split pulses, like lentils and beans, that form an important staple for the cuisines of the Indian subcontinent?
Answer: Dal
- As of the 2011 Census, the most common first language spoken in India is Hindi, with 44% of the population. With one guess, name either the 2nd or 3rd most common "first language" spoken in India, at 8% and 7% respectively.
Answer: Bengali and Marathi
- Akin to Naga, Rahu, and Ketu of Hindu-Buddhist mythology, what "B" is the name of the serpent-like dragon in Philippine mythology that is believed to be the cause of eclipses, earthquakes, rains, and wind?
Answer: Bakurawa
- Garuda, one of the national symbols of Indonesia, is the animal ridden by what Hindu god known as "the preserver?"
Answer: Vishnu
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About the Author
Eli Robinson is the Chief Trivia Officer at Water Cooler Trivia. He was once in a Bruce Springsteen cover band called F Street Band.