NCERT Questions and Activities (with Answers)
Q1. Discuss in small groups the meaning of the following statement by David Suzuki:
“The way we see the world shapes the way we treat it. If a mountain is a deity, not a pile of ore; if a river is one of the veins of the land, not potential irrigation water … then we will treat each other with greater respect.”
Answer:
The statement means that if we treat nature (mountains, rivers, forests, animals) as sacred and part of our family, we will not misuse or harm them. Instead, we will respect, protect, and preserve them. This idea teaches us to look at the environment not only as resources but as living beings connected with our lives.
Q2. List the sacred sites in your region. Enquire into why they are considered sacred. Are there stories connected with these sacred places? (Essay 150 words)
Answer (Sample – Delhi/UP region):
In my region, the Yamuna River is considered sacred. People believe that taking a dip in it cleanses sins. The Akshardham Temple in Delhi is sacred as a centre of devotion and learning. The Mathura-Vrindavan region nearby is holy for Hindus because it is linked to the life of Lord Krishna. There are many legends, such as Krishna lifting the Govardhan Hill, that make this land sacred. These sites are visited by pilgrims all year, and they help connect people to faith, culture, and heritage.
Q3. Why do you think natural elements like rivers, mountains and forests are considered sacred for the people? How do they contribute to our lives?
Answer:
Natural elements give us life. Rivers provide water, mountains give forests and minerals, and forests provide air, food, and shelter. They are considered sacred because they are life-giving and powerful, and many stories and traditions are linked to them. By treating them as sacred, people ensure their protection and preservation.
Q4. Why do people visit a tīrtha or other sacred sites?
Answer:
People visit tīrthas or sacred sites for religious worship, inner peace, blessings, and spiritual growth. Pilgrimages also allow people to connect with different cultures, traditions, and regions of India.
Q5. How did the ancient pilgrimage routes help in fostering trade during those times? Do you think the sacred sites help in developing the economy of the region?
Answer:
Ancient pilgrimage routes overlapped with trade routes. Pilgrims needed food, clothes, transport, and other goods, which traders supplied. This increased trade and exchange of ideas. Even today, sacred sites like Varanasi, Tirupati, and Amritsar support the economy by attracting pilgrims and tourists, creating jobs for local people.
Q6. How do sacred places influence the culture and traditions of the people living near them?
Answer:
Sacred places influence local culture through festivals, rituals, fairs, music, dance, and stories. People living near sacred sites often serve pilgrims by providing food, shelter, or guiding them, which becomes part of their tradition. Many local art forms and crafts are linked to sacred sites.
Q7. From the various sacred sites of India, select two of your choice and create a project explaining their significance.
Answer (Sample):
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Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh): Sacred city on the banks of the Ganga, believed to free the soul from the cycle of rebirth. Famous for the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Ganga Aarti.
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Golden Temple (Amritsar, Punjab): Central shrine of Sikhism, symbol of equality and brotherhood. Known for its community kitchen (langar) serving thousands daily.
Q8. What is the two-fold significance of a tīrthayātrā or a pilgrimage?
Answer:
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Spiritual Significance: Pilgrimage purifies the soul, brings blessings, and strengthens faith.
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Social and Cultural Significance: It connects different regions, promotes trade, and helps cultural integration by bringing people of different languages and traditions together.
Extra Short Answer Questions (2–3 sentences)
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What does the word ‘sacredness’ mean?
→ Sacredness means something holy, divine, or worthy of deep respect, often connected to religion or spirituality. -
What is meant by ‘tīrtha’?
→ Tīrtha means a sacred place or crossing point from ordinary life to a higher, spiritual life. -
Name two important Buddhist pilgrimage sites.
→ Bodh Gaya (where Buddha attained enlightenment) and Sanchi (stupa containing relics). -
What are sacred groves?
→ Forests protected by communities as abodes of deities, where cutting trees or hunting is prohibited. -
Name one important Sikh pilgrimage centre.
→ The Golden Temple in Amritsar. -
What is the story behind the Shakti Pīṭhas?
→ They are sacred sites where parts of Goddess Sati’s body are believed to have fallen. -
What is the Char Dham Yatra?
→ A Hindu pilgrimage covering four holy sites: Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri, and Rameswaram. -
Which festival is held at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and Sarasvati rivers?
→ The Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj. -
Why do tribal communities consider some hills and forests sacred?
→ They believe their gods and ancestors live there and that nature provides everything for life. -
What does the peepul (bodhi) tree symbolise?
→ It is considered sacred in many religions and represents wisdom, shelter, and spiritual enlightenment.
Extra Long Answer Questions (5–6 sentences)
Q1. Explain how pilgrimage routes helped in cultural integration of India.
→ Pilgrimage routes connected different regions of India, from north to south and east to west. Pilgrims came across diverse languages, foods, and traditions. They exchanged ideas, stories, and practices, which created unity. Traders also travelled these routes, linking local economies. Sacred geography thus helped India develop as one cultural entity.
Q2. How are natural elements like rivers, forests, and mountains linked to sacred traditions?
→ Rivers like Ganga and Yamuna are worshipped as goddesses. Mountains like Kailash and forests like Niyamgiri are considered abodes of deities. Trees like the peepul are worshipped for their spiritual and medicinal value. These traditions encouraged people to preserve and protect nature. They remind us that humans and nature are deeply connected.
Q3. Why is it important to preserve sacred sites today?
→ Sacred sites carry spiritual, cultural, and ecological importance. They protect forests, water, and biodiversity. They are centres of tradition and heritage. Today, pollution and overuse threaten them, so it is our duty to safeguard them. Protecting sacred sites also supports tourism and local economies while preserving our cultural identity.