Magha Saptam Mela is celebrated in which of the following months?

Appeared in: DSSSB 14 August 2024

Explanation

Magha Saptami is a Hindu festival celebrated on the seventh day (Saptami) of the bright half of the Hindu lunar month of Magha.
This Hindu month corresponds to the period of late January to late February in the Gregorian calendar.
The festival of Magha Saptami most frequently occurs in the month of February.
It is famously celebrated as the Chandrabhaga Mela on the shores of the Chandrabhaga River in Konark, Odisha, where devotees take a holy dip.

Option A: While the Hindu month of Magha can start in late January, the Saptami (seventh day of the bright fortnight) more commonly falls in February. January is less likely to be the month of celebration.
Option B: April corresponds to the Hindu months of Chaitra and Vaisakha. Major festivals in April include Baisakhi and Rama Navami, not Magha Saptami.
Option D: March corresponds to the Hindu months of Phalguna and Chaitra. The most prominent festival in March is Holi, which marks the full moon of the Phalguna month.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Indian Festivals and Culture as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This is a general knowledge question and does not have direct clinical relevance for nursing practice.
However, cultural awareness, including knowledge of major festivals, can enhance a nurse's ability to provide holistic and culturally sensitive care to patients from diverse backgrounds.
What if? If a patient from Odisha mentions preparing for the 'Chandrabhaga Mela', a nurse aware of this festival would understand its significance and timing (February), allowing for better rapport and patient-centered communication.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question, which is 'Magha Saptam Mela'.
Recall or deduce the corresponding Hindu month, which is 'Magha'.
Map the Hindu month of Magha to the Gregorian calendar. It typically spans from late January to late February.
Since the festival is 'Saptami' (the 7th day of the bright half), it is more likely to fall in the latter part of this period, making February the most probable answer among the choices.
Eliminate other months based on knowledge of other major festivals (e.g., Holi in March, Baisakhi in April).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q-FYsb2K4_g_LqQo1qUzYS

Practise the full DSSSB 14 August 2024

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