Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 10 – Kathmandu Notes | Nextoper

Introduction

Kathmandu is a fascinating travelogue by the renowned Indian writer Vikram Seth. This chapter is taken from his travel book Heaven Lake and describes his journey across Nepal’s capital city, Kathmandu. Through rich sensory details, contrasting settings, and keen observations, Seth beautifully captures the essence of Kathmandu — a city where ancient traditions and modern life coexist.

The chapter revolves around the narrator’s visits to two iconic religious places: Pashupatinath Temple, sacred to Hindus, and Boudhanath Stupa, an important Buddhist pilgrimage centre. Both places showcase different cultural atmospheres, reflecting Nepal’s religious diversity. Seth further explores bustling markets, street vendors, bookshops, curio sellers, sweetshops, and an enchanting flute seller who becomes a symbol of universal harmony.

Finally, as he prepares to return to India, the narrator reflects deeply on the sights and experiences that enriched his journey. The chapter blends humour, observation, cultural depth, and poetic imagery, making it a delightful piece of travel writing.

Detailed Summary 

1. Visit to Pashupatinath Temple (Hindu Shrine)

The narrator begins his journey in Kathmandu by visiting the Pashupatinath Temple, one of the holiest temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. The moment he reaches the temple entrance, he witnesses a large crowd of devotees, sadhus, priests, and tourists.

The environment near the temple is chaotic and loud. People are pushing, arguing with guards, and trying to enter the temple first. A heated dispute breaks out between two men, showcasing the intensity of devotion. Only Hindus are allowed inside; others watch rituals from outside.

Sights at Pashupatinath:

• Monkeys running around the temple
• Priests guiding devotees
• Sadhus lying on the banks of River Bagmati
• A corpse being taken for cremation
• Women washing clothes by the riverside
• A policeman trying to control the crowd

The narrator humorously compares the crowd to a busy fair. The mix of devotion, commotion, noise, riverside rituals, monkeys, and fights creates a vivid image of religious enthusiasm.

2. Visit to Boudhanath Stupa 

After experiencing the chaos at Pashupatinath, Seth visits Boudhanath Stupa, and instantly notices a striking contrast. Unlike the bustling Pashupatinath Temple, the Boudhanath Stupa is serene, peaceful, and meditative.

Features of Boudhanath Stupa:

• A massive white dome
• Colourful prayer flags
• Buddhist monks in maroon robes
• Shops selling Buddhist items
• Circular path for devotees to walk around
• Gentle sound of prayer wheels

The whole environment is calm and comforting. People walk quietly, chant prayers, or sit in meditation. The peace of the place deeply touches the narrator, who feels uplifted by the spiritual ambience.

3. Exploring the Streets of Kathmandu

After visiting the religious sites, Seth explores the vibrant markets of Kathmandu. The city is full of small shops, hawkers, and sellers of all kinds of items.

Common things sold in the markets:

• Watches and calculators
• Cameras and film rolls
• Postcards
• Copper utensils
• Chocolates and soft drinks
• Fruits and sweets
• Books and magazines
• Fake jewellery and tourist goods
• Maps, caps, and tourist souvenirs

Street vendors shout to attract tourists, creating a lively, colourful scene. The narrow lanes are filled with the smell of incense, spices, fried snacks, and petrol fumes.

4. The Flute Seller – A Symbol of Peace

Among all the noises and colours, one man stands out — the flute seller. He carries a pole filled with dozens of flutes, each producing a different sound. Unlike other sellers, he does not call out loudly or force customers to buy.

Instead, he plays the flutes softly, creating a magical feeling. His calm presence in the middle of a busy market becomes a moment of deep emotional reflection for Seth.

Symbolism of the Flute Seller:

• He represents harmony amidst chaos
• The flutes symbolise universal music
• Every flute produces a unique sound → just like every human voice
• Music becomes a metaphor for unity, peace, and the shared human experience

The narrator compares the world to a giant orchestra, with each flute representing life’s diverse voices.

5. Planning the Journey Back to India

After exploring Kathmandu, Seth wants to return to India. He has two choices:

• Flight to Delhi (expensive but fast)
• Bus journey to Patna (long and tiring but cheap)

He struggles to make a decision, confused by his own thoughts. Eventually, he buys a bus ticket and gets ready for the adventurous overland journey.

Summary in Bullet Points

• The narrator visits Kathmandu and describes its cultural richness.
• Pashupatinath Temple is crowded, noisy, and full of rituals.
• A fight breaks out between devotees trying to enter the shrine.
• The River Bagmati shows life and death together — washing clothes vs. cremation.
• Boudhanath Stupa is peaceful, serene, and calming.
• The contrast highlights the diversity of Nepal’s religious spaces.
• Markets of Kathmandu are colourful and full of vendors.
• The flute seller becomes the narrator’s emotional anchor.
• The chapter ends with the narrator preparing to leave for India.

Word Meanings (English + Hindi)

Character Sketch

Narrator (Vikram Seth)

• Curious traveller
• Observant and thoughtful
• Sensitive to sensory details
• Appreciates art, culture, and spirituality
• Poetic and reflective

Flute Seller

• Calm, simple, and peaceful
• Does not shout or push customers
• Plays flutes beautifully
• Symbolic figure representing harmony

Themes & Moral

1. Diversity of Culture and Religion

Kathmandu represents Hindu and Buddhist traditions existing side by side.

2. Contrast Between Noise & Peace

Pashupatinath = chaos
Boudhanath = calmness

3. Beauty in Simplicity

The flute seller shows that peace is found in simplicity.

4. Spiritual Unity

Different beliefs can coexist harmoniously.

5. Harmony of Life

The flutes represent the diverse voices of the world.

Moral:

Humanity, peace, and diversity form the true spirit of life.

Literary Devices

Important Lines with Explanation

1. “A royal princess appears in a river ceremony.”

Shows the mixture of faith, class, and tradition in Kathmandu.

2. “The flute seller’s music is the voice of human peace.”

Shows the deep symbolic value of the flute.

3. “The Budhha’s eyes watch over Kathmandu.”

Represents protection, peace, and spirituality.

Short Question and Answers

Q1. What two places does Vikram Seth visit in Kathmandu?

He visits the Pashupatinath Temple and the Boudhanath Stupa.

Q2. Give one difference between the two spiritual places.

Pashupatinath is crowded and chaotic, while Boudhanath is calm and peaceful.

Q3. What fascinated the narrator in the markets of Kathmandu?

The flute seller and the variety of flutes.

Q4. Why was there a fight at the Pashupatinath Temple?

Two men argued about who should enter the shrine first.

Q5. What decision does the narrator make about returning to India?

He chooses to return by bus (Kathmandu to Patna).

Long Question and Answers

Q1. Compare the experiences of Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa.

Pashupatinath Temple is full of excitement, activity, and noise. Devotees push to enter the temple, priests perform rituals, monkeys roam around, and the Bagmati River reflects both life and death. The scene is lively but chaotic.

In contrast, Boudhanath Stupa is peaceful and serene. The huge white dome, calm monks, prayer flags, and soothing chants create an atmosphere of meditation. The place encourages reflection and spiritual peace.

The contrast highlights Kathmandu’s rich diversity and the coexistence of chaos and tranquillity.

Q2. Describe the flute seller and his significance in the chapter.

The flute seller stands quietly in the busy market, carrying dozens of flutes. He does not shout or force anyone to buy from him. Instead, he plays soft melodies that attract people naturally. His peaceful presence contrasts with the loud vendors around him.

Symbolically, the flutes represent harmony, human emotions, and unity in diversity. The narrator sees the flute seller as a metaphor for the world’s varied voices blending into one universal melody.

Q3. How does Vikram Seth use imagery to describe Kathmandu?

Seth uses vivid sensory details — sights, sounds, smells, and movements — to bring Kathmandu alive. He describes the chaos of Pashupatinath, the calm dome of Boudhanath, the colourful markets, the noise of vendors, the smell of incense, and the music of flutes. These images help readers visualise Kathmandu as a vibrant, culturally rich city.

Conclusion

Chapter 10 Kathmandu is a beautiful exploration of Nepal’s cultural richness. Vikram Seth’s contrasting depictions of chaos and peace, devotion and meditation, markets and melodies offer a complete picture of life in the city. The travelogue encourages readers to appreciate diversity, observe deeply, and respect different beliefs. Kathmandu becomes a symbol of unity, harmony, and spiritual beauty.

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