UPSC CSE Pre 2017

Fairs, Festivals, and Communities

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Consider the following pairs: **Traditions** **Communities** 1. Chaliha Sahib Festival - Sindhis 2. Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra - Gonds 3. Wari-Warkari - Santhals Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept Indian cultural traditions and festivals are often specific to certain ethnic groups or geographical regions, serving as markers of community identity and religious devotion.

Explanation Cultural ethnographic studies confirm Chaliha Sahib as a Sindhi fast, Nanda Raj Jaat as an Uttarakhandi pilgrimage (Pahadi communities), and Warkari as a Maharashtrian Bhakti tradition.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Pair 1 is correct. Chaliha Sahib is a 40-day fast observed by Sindhis to thank Lord Jhulelal for protection from persecution.
Logic 2: Pair 2 is incorrect. Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra is a major pilgrimage in Uttarakhand, associated with the goddess Nanda Devi and local hill communities, not Gonds.
Logic 3: Pair 3 is incorrect. Wari-Warkari is a pilgrimage to Pandharpur in Maharashtra performed by the Warkari sect (devotees of Vithoba), not the Santhal tribe of Jharkhand/Bengal.

Active Recall

Question

What is the spiritual focus of the Wari-Warkari tradition?

Answer

It is a congregational walking pilgrimage focused on the equality of all devotees before Lord Vitthal, transcending caste and social barriers.

Core Insight

UPSC often pairs a well-known national tradition with a community from a completely different geographical region to test factual accuracy.