RAS question
Karni Mata Fair at Deshnoke is held during:
Correct answer: (C) Chaitra and Ashwin Navratri.
Karni Mata Fair at Deshnoke, Bikaner, is held during the Chaitra and Ashwin Navratri periods.
Explanation
Karni Mata Fair is not a single full-moon fair; it is a bi-annual temple fair linked to the two Navratri periods. The official Rajasthan Tourism page for Karni Mata Temple says the fair is held at the Karni Mata temple in Bikaner and that its timings fall during the two Navratras. It gives the first spell between March and April, from Chaitra Shukla Ekam to Chaitra Shukla Dashami, and the second between September and October, from Ashwin Shukla to Ashwin Shukla Dashami. That matches the option "Chaitra and Ashwin Navratri" and explains why the fair is associated with the Navratri calendar rather than with Kartik, Bhadon, or Magh full-moon observances.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Kartik Purnima is a separate full-moon timing, while the cited Rajasthan Tourism page places Karni Mata Fair in the two Navratri periods.
- (B) Bhadon Sudi does not match the official timing, which is given as Chaitra Shukla and Ashwin Shukla Navratri spells.
- (D) Magh Purnima is not the listed occasion for this fair; the official source links it to Chaitra and Ashwin Navratri instead.
Concept
This tests Rajasthan's fairs and festivals through their calendar associations, a frequent RAS culture area because similar temple fairs are often distinguished by month, lunar tithi, and place. The key is to remember Deshnoke-Karni Mata as a Navratri-linked fair, not a generic Purnima fair.