Explain the chapter kathmandu
Answers
Introduction
The writer Vikram Seth came from China to India hitchhiking via tibet and Nepal and wrote about it in his book titled ‘Heaven Lake’. In this excerpt from the book, we get to know about his visit to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.
Lesson and Explanation
I GET a cheap room in the centre of town and sleep for hours. The next morning, with Mr Shah’s son and nephew, I visit the two temples in Kathmandu that are most sacred to Hindus and Buddhists.
Vikram took a cheap, affordable hotel room on rent and as he was tired from the journey, he slept for a few hours. The next morning he visited two temples in Kathmandu along with Mr.Shah’s son and nephew. One of the temples was a pilgrimage for Hindus and the other one of the Buddhists.
Pashupatinath (outside which a sign proclaims ‘Entrance for the Hindus only’) there is an atmosphere of ‘febrile confusion’. Priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, cows, monkeys, pigeons and dogs roam through the grounds. We offer a few flowers. There are so many worshippers that some people trying to get the priest’s attention are elbowed aside by others pushing their way to the front. A princess of the Nepalese royal house appears; everyone bows and makes way. By the main gate, a party of saffron-clad Westerners struggle for permission to enter. The policeman is not convinced that they are ‘the Hindus’ (only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple). A fight breaks out between two monkeys. One chases the other, who jumps onto a shivalinga, then runs screaming around the temples and down to the river, the holy Bagmati, that flows below. A corpse is being cremated on its banks; washerwomen are at their work and children bathe. From a balcony a basket of flowers and leaves, old offerings now wilted, is dropped into the river. A small shrine half protrudes from the stone platform on the river bank. When it emerges fully, the goddess inside will escape, and the evil period of the Kaliyuga will end on earth.
HOPE IT HELPS YOU...❤❤❤
Kathmandu is a travelogue written by Vikram Seth. It is the description of the two famous temples of Kathmandu. One is the Pashupatinath and the other is the Baudhnath Shrine.
The author first visited Pashupatinath Temple where he finds the atmosphere of feverish confusion. Only Hindus are allowed to enter inside the temple. He finds people performing different rituals performing on the bank of the holy river Bagmati .He also knew about the belief related to the end of the Kaliyug .Next he visited Baudhnath Shrine, there is the sense of stillness in contrast to the Pashupatinath temple. Tibetan immigrants selling different things on the side of the road. After this he roams on the streets of kathmandu and finds it the busiest and more religious city. These streets are crowded with fruit sellers, hawkers of postcards etc. The shops sell western cosmetics, film rolls chocolates. It is the noisiest city because of the honking sound of the cars , bells of bicycle and the low of the cows and filmy songs of the radios .He becomes tired and homesick and decided to return back to his home.He buys air line ticket and return back to his hotel .Near his hotel he hears the melodious sound of the flute seller which enchanted him. His care free style of selling flutes pleases him. It reminds him of the commonality of all mankind as the music of the flutes unites all mankind in one single thread of universality. He was fascinated to the truth of the flutes. He returns back to his home after a long time.
KEY POINTS
Vikram Seth visit Pashupatinath temple and finds that only Hindus are allowed for darshan . There is an atmosphere of feverish disorder in and around Pashupatinath temple due to the crowd of Priests,hawkers , devotees , tourists , cows , monkeys , pigeons and dogs roam through ground .
The author sees that the people are performing different rituals on the holy bank of Bagmati River.
Next he visits Baudhnath Shrine which seems to him as Haven of Quietness. There is complete silence and still atmosphere.
Tibetan immigrants were selling felt bags , silver jewellery antiques etc on the pavement of the road .
The author finds that Kathmandu is more religious , vivid and mercenary city .
It is the noisiest and busiest city because of thousands of tourists, vendors shouting, playing of film songs, honking sound of the vehicles .
He enjoys his visit to Kathmandu by visiting Pashupatinath and Baudhnath shrine and roaming in the busy market eating corn –on the cob, reading comics and reader digest.
Vikram enchanted by the melodious songs played by the flute seller he finds the way of selling his flute was different from other hawkers.
The author becomes tired and feels home sick and decided to return home by air.