Question

In Nepal the festival of lights i.e. Diwali is celebrated by some Buddhists as ______

• A. Tihar
• B. Swanti
• C. Both options a and b
• D. Neither of the options above

Hint:

Think about the different names Hindus and Newar Buddhists use for the same festival in Nepal.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

This question checks your awareness of Nepali festival names and how the same festival is understood across religious communities in Nepal.

1. Tihar: This is correct in part. Tihar is the Nepali Hindu name for the festival of lights, celebrated over five days and matching the Indian Diwali.
2. Swanti: This is also correct in part. Swanti is the name Newar Buddhists in Nepal use for the same festival, marked with similar rituals of lights and worship of Laxmi and cows.
3. Both options a and b: This is the full picture. Diwali in Nepal goes by both names depending on the community: Tihar among Hindus broadly and Swanti among Newar Buddhists, so neither single name covers the answer.
4. Neither of the options above: This is wrong because both Tihar and Swanti are genuine, documented names used in Nepal for this festival.

The correct choice is C, both options a and b, since the festival carries both names among different communities in Nepal.