Starter quiz
- What is the River Ganges also known as?
- the Yamuna
- the Brahmaputra
- the Ganga ✓
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- Why do Hindus believe the River Ganges is sacred?
- because it is where the Buddha meditated
- because it is the earthly form of the goddess Ganga ✓
- because it is the longest river in India
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- What does ‘moksha’ mean in Hinduism?
- the cycle of birth and rebirth
- freedom from the cycle of samsara ✓
- a type of Hindu prayer
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- Why do some Hindus scatter ashes in the River Ganges?
- to help the deceased's soul achieve moksha ✓
- to cool the river
- to make the water holy
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- What is Varanasi?
- a festival
- a holy city on the River Ganges ✓
- a holy man
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- The story of Mother Ganga teaches Hindus to respect ______.
- 'nature' ✓
Exit quiz
- What is the Kumbh Mela?
- a Hindu wedding ceremony
- a Hindu festival and pilgrimage ✓
- a Hindu festival about dancing
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- Where does the Kumbh Mela take place?
- at the meeting of sacred rivers ✓
- at a temple in London
- in the middle of a forest
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- Why do Hindus go to the Kumbh Mela?
- to buy special gifts
- to bathe in sacred rivers ✓
- to visit family
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- How often does the Kumbh Mela take place?
- every 5 years
- every 50 years
- every 12 years ✓
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- What do some Hindus do at the Kumbh Mela to practise dharma?
- help others and show kindness ✓
- build houses
- learn to cook
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- True or false? Only men can be Hindu religious leaders and teachers.
- true
- false ✓
- partially true
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- The Kumbh Mela is the largest gathering of people on earth.
- The Kumbh Mela is a festival that happens every twelve years in India. It shows harmony of different Hindu traditions.
- Many Hindus will bathe at the meeting point of the rivers. Others will learn from the sadhus and sadhvi that attend.
- We can better understand Kumbh Mela by speaking to different Hindus.
Common misconception
The Kumbh Mela is simply about sadhus and crowds at the Ganges.
The Kumbh Mela is a spiritual pilgrimage linked to the sacred rivers and sacred time. Hindus may bathe in the river, speak to and learn from the wisdom of sadhus and sadhvus. They may also offer acts of service to other pilgrims.
Keywords
Kumbh mela - a Hindu festival drawing large numbers of pilgrims
Dharma - acting with compassion for the good of humans and all living things
Sadhu/sadhvi - a Hindu man or woman who has chosen to lead a life of meditation away from others
Moksha - the end of the cycle of rebirth; becoming one with Brahman or God
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