SSC Stenographer 2026 PYQ — Question 1

Solution: The correct answer is Honoring livestock, especially cattle.
Explanation:
☛ Kanuma is celebrated as part of the Sankranti/Pongal festival, mainly in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
☛ This day is dedicated to cattle, especially cows and bulls, which are vital for agriculture.
☛ On Kanuma, cattle are bathed, decorated with turmeric, kumkum, flowers, and colorful bells, and their horns are painted.
☛ Cattle are worshipped and offered food as a mark of gratitude for their role in farming.
☛ In some regions, traditional bull races and cattle-related sports are also organized on this day.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ Mattu Pongal: In Tamil Nadu, the day equivalent to Kanuma is called Mattu Pongal.
☛ The four-day Sankranti sequence in Andhra Pradesh/Telangana is Bhogi, Sankranti (Pedda Panduga), Kanuma, Mukkanuma.
☛ Kanuma usually falls in mid-January, during the Makara Sankranti period.
☛ Jallikattu, a traditional bull-taming sport, is associated with Mattu Pongal in Tamil Nadu.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ Which festival in Andhra Pradesh/Telangana is dedicated to cattle? → Kanuma
☛ Kanuma is a part of which festival season? → Sankranti/Pongal
☛ What is the Tamil Nadu equivalent of Kanuma? → Mattu Pongal
☛ What is the four-day Sankranti sequence in Andhra Pradesh/Telangana? → Bhogi, Sankranti, Kanuma, Mukkanuma
☛ In which period is Kanuma usually celebrated? → Mid-January, during Makara Sankranti