Joydev Kenduli Mela is celebrated in which of the following regions?

Appeared in: DSSSB 13 August 2024

Explanation

The Joydev Kenduli Mela is an annual fair held in the Birbhum district of West Bengal.
It is celebrated on the occasion of Makar Sankranti in mid-January.
The fair is famous for the gathering of Baul singers, a community of mystic minstrels from Bengal.
The village of Kenduli is believed to be the birthplace of the 12th-century poet Jayadeva, who wrote the Gita Govinda.

Option B: Haryana is known for different cultural events, most notably the Surajkund International Crafts Mela, which showcases handicrafts from all over India.
Option C: Uttar Pradesh hosts some of the largest religious gatherings in the world, such as the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, but not the Joydev Kenduli Mela.
Option D: Bihar is famous for the Sonepur Mela, which is one of Asia's largest cattle fairs, a completely different type of event from the culturally focused Joydev Kenduli Mela.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Indian Fairs and Festivals as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
General knowledge of major cultural events and festivals across India is a common component of the non-technical sections of nursing and other government recruitment exams.
Understanding the geographical and cultural context of festivals helps in answering questions related to art, culture, and history.
What if the question asked about the Sonepur Mela? The answer would change to Bihar, as Sonepur is famous for hosting Asia's largest cattle fair.

How to Approach the Question

First, read the question carefully to identify the specific name of the fair: 'Joydev Kenduli Mela'.
Analyze the name for any geographical or cultural clues. 'Kenduli' is a specific place name, and 'Joydev' refers to the poet Jayadeva.
Recall or deduce the association of the poet Jayadeva and Baul music with the cultural history of the Bengal region.
Evaluate the options based on this cultural-geographical link.
Eliminate states known for other major, distinct festivals (like Kumbh Mela in UP, Surajkund Mela in Haryana, Sonepur Mela in Bihar).
Select West Bengal as the most plausible location for a fair associated with Jayadeva and Baul traditions.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full DSSSB 13 August 2024

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.