Kathmandu sumary

On his way from China to India via Tibet, Vikram Seth, the narrator, reached Kathmandu in Nepal. This extract describes his visit to the two famous temples there- the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath and the Bodh temple, the Baudhnath stupa. After having a good sleep, Vikram Seth sets out with his companions to visit the Pashupatinath temple where the entry of non-Hindus is banned. A 'feverish chaotic' activity goes on inside and around the temple. People jostle with each other trying to get the priest's attention; a royal princess appears in the temple; some Westerners claiming to be Hindus try to seek entry into the temple; two monkeys chase each other. Priests, devotees, hawkers, dogs, pigeons, tourists - all get together to add to the confusion. He sees a cremation taking place on the banks of Bagmati river, some women washing clothes and children bathing in it. The river is being polluted as wilted flowers and old offerings are thrown into it. In contrast to the noisy activity in the Hindu temple, Seth finds peace, quietness, and serenity at the Baudhnath stupa. Though there are shops of Tibetan migrants around the stupa, there are no crowds in the stupa itself. It stands out as a safe haven for quietness amidst busy streets. Describing Kathmandu, Seth chooses the adjective vivid, mercenary and religious. He finds its narrow and buay streets as very noisy, and radios, traffic car horns, bicyele bells, cows - all contribute to the din. Though Vikram Seth wishes to prolong his journey back home, exhaustion and homesickness prompt him to buy an air- ticket to reach Delhi. A flute seller in a corner of the square near the hotel with an unassumingstyle and a casual approach draws the writer's attention. Mesmerised by the music of the flute, he is reminded of the different kinds of flutes and thinks about their uniqueness as well as their universality. He remarks that flute has a place in almost every culture, though with a variation in form and kind of music produced. The music of the flute leaves a deep imprint on his mind and he carries it with him when he returns home.