Main Themes and Lessons in Kathmandu
Vikram Seth’s story ‘Kathmandu’ is an excerpt from the author’s book ‘Heaven Lake’. The story narrates the tale of the author visiting Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital city. The author had been hitchhiking from China towards India, in the midway of which he was supposed to cross Nepal and Tibet. His visit to Kathmandu, Nepal during this phase has been brought out as a story where he shares his experience of the city. A short and long summary for Class 9 English Kathmandu has been provided below.
Class 9 English Chapter Kathmandu – A Short Summary
Author Vikram Seth had been hitchhiking from China with the motive of visiting India. In his route, he crossed the neighbouring lands of Nepal as well as Tibet. The Kathmandu Class 9 chapter has been written in the form of a travelogue bringing out the author’s experience in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital. It further goes on to describe the author’s insight into his feelings associated with his Kathmandu trip. During this Kathmandu trip, the author visited important locations like the famous temples of Boudhanath Stupa and the Pashupatinath Temple. A certain difference in the temples and the surrounding ambiance has been vividly described by Vikram Seth in the Kathmandu chapter Class 9. The author’s beautiful imagery described in the summary of Kathmandu takes the readers miles away to the Himalayan city. Kathmandu
Kathmandu Class 9 – A Long Summary
The Kathmandu summary brings out details from Vikram Seth’s story from his book ‘Heaven Lake’. It has been described with vivid imagery of the capital city of Nepal along with the author’s feelings. The author on his hitchhiking route from China to India was supposed to visit the neighbouring lands of Nepal and Tibet. There, he went to Nepal’s capital city, Kathmandu. He visited the Pashupatinath temple and the Boudhanath Stupa and noticed several differences between the places and the surrounding ambiances. He saw that the Pashupatinath temple was a Hindu pilgrimage site and the Boudhanath Temple was for Buddhists. In the Pashupatinath Temple, the author noticed that entry was allowed only to the Hindus. This led to chaos between the tourists, pilgrims as well as priests. There were sights of the River Bagmati getting polluted by people washing their clothes, throwing dry flowers and wastes in it, and bathing in the river waters. Later he went for a visit to the Boudhanath Temple where he found the scenario to be different. There was a huge white-coloured dome in the Buddhist temple. The entire place was filled with calmness and serenity. There was a Tibetan market outside of the temple where bags, ornaments, clothes, and other such things were being sold by people. The author discovered that Kathmandu was a place filled with various tourist destinations as well as religious sites. There were numerous shops selling cameras, antiques, chocolates, cosmetics, and other things. The cacophony of the car horns, the music at laces, and the vendors calling out for the products made the city quite a noisy one. The author enjoyed a marzipan bar, coca-cola, and corn during this visit. There he spent time reading romantic stories, comic books as well as Reader’s Digest books. He decided to go for an adventurous route to Delhi via bus or a boat or a train journey. He later dropped his idea thinking of it to be a tiring one. This made him book a flight. The author came across a flute seller near his hotel who seemed interesting, having a pole consisting of many flutes making him look like a porcupine. This flute seller played different tunes with his flutes. The author felt that the seller was standing out in front of other such flute sellers only because he was playing his tunes thoughtfully. He kept playing his instruments without screaming for customers. This got the author attracted, making him think about the commonness of flutes. Vikram Seth started comparing human voices to the music produced from the flutes. This made him realize the fact that he was by then able to notice the little things in the world. With this, the Kathmandu chapter Class 9 summary comes to an end. Is this page helpful?
Highlights of Chapter
The author visited two temples in Kathmandu. He visited the famous Hindu mandir of Nepal which is "Pashupatinath" and the famous Buddhist temple of Buddhist "The Boudhanath Stupa."
Outside of Pashupatinath temple there was written as "For only Hindus". There was a lot of chaos around the temple.
There were many priests, shopkeepers, and devotees. The devotees came from different corners of the country to worship God.
When a Princess from the Nepal royal family arrives there, everyone salutes her and gives her way. The priests were mostly in the saffron color.
Monkeys were fighting. One of the monkeys climbed on the Shivling during their fighting. The Bagmati River is flowing nearby. There was cremation going on and some of the ladies were washing the clothes. Some of the boys were also bathing in the river. There were small platforms near the beach of rivers for the worship of God.
There is the mythology that when a small shrine will come up fully, then goddess Durga will appear and will end the period of evil.
Other than it, the buddha pilgrimage Boddhnath Stupa has an opposite atmosphere.
There is a big white dome. There was also a road around the dome. On its outer edge, there were also many small shops. Mostly the owners of their shops were Tibetan immigrants.
There was no crowd. The shops were of belt bags and Tibetan-style clothes. There was a complete piece.
Explaining Kathmandu, the writer describes that there were many priests and mercenaries.
The roads were crowded and very busy. There were many fruit sellers and hawkers. Shops were having different types of arts and Nepalese Antiques. Also, o some were selling film rolls, copper utensils, and cosmetics.
Stray cows were meowing and the car horns were also producing a lot of noise. The Writer also describes Marzipan, a sweet, and the books which he bought there.
The writer also describes his return journey. Near the hotel in which he was staying, he saw a flute seller. He was carrying fifty to sixty flutes. He was playing slowly and meditatively with his flute.
The writer also found it interesting to talk about flutes. He describes different types of flutes in different countries. Although, each of them requires a specific technique to play it.
Conclusion
As we bid farewell to Kathmandu, the city's magic lingers. It's a place where ancient traditions dance with modern life, where spirituality infuses every aspect of daily existence. Vikram Seth aptly describes it as "a city that is all at once medieval, modern, mystical, and maddening." Kathmandu is more than just a tourist destination; it's an experience that stays with you long after you leave. It's a reminder of the beauty of diversity, the power of faith, and the enduring spirit of humanity. So, the next time you find yourself yearning for adventure, remember the bustling crossroads of Kathmandu – a city waiting to be discovered, one vibrant alley at a time.
FAQs on Kathmandu Summary: Key Insights from Vikram Seth’s Story
1. What is the basic premise of Vikram Seth's chapter, 'Kathmandu', for a quick revision?
This chapter is an excerpt from Vikram Seth's travelogue, 'From Heaven Lake'. The summary details his visit to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, after a long journey from China. It focuses on his observations of the city, particularly two famous temples, the bustling streets, and a profound experience with a flute seller, offering key insights into his journey and reflections.
2. What key differences does the author highlight between the Pashupatinath temple and the Boudhanath stupa in the summary?
The summary of 'Kathmandu' contrasts the two sites sharply, a key concept for revision:
- Pashupatinath Temple: Portrayed as a place of 'febrile confusion' with a noisy, chaotic atmosphere filled with priests, devotees, and tourists. Entry is restricted to Hindus only.
- Boudhanath Stupa: Described as a 'haven of quietness' offering a sense of stillness and serenity, in stark contrast to the busy streets surrounding it.
3. According to the 'Kathmandu' summary, what are the key sights and sounds of the city's streets?
Vikram Seth describes Kathmandu's streets as vivid, noisy, and religious. They are filled with vendors selling various goods like fruit, postcards, and Nepalese antiques. The air is a cacophony of film music, car horns, and bicycle bells. Amidst this chaos, there are also small, flower-adorned shrines and deities, highlighting the city's blend of commerce and faith.
4. What is the main theme explored in the 'Kathmandu' chapter summary?
The primary theme is the exploration of cultural and spiritual diversity. The chapter juxtaposes the frantic energy of a major Hindu pilgrimage site with the serene peace of a Buddhist stupa. It also delves into the theme of universal human connection, which the author discovers through the simple, shared experience of music from a flute.
5. How does the author's encounter with the flute seller provide a deeper insight in the story?
The encounter with the flute seller serves as a moment of profound realisation. The author is mesmerised by the music and reflects on how the flute is a universal instrument, present in almost every culture. This simple observation makes him contemplate the common threads that connect all of humanity. This insight moves him deeply and makes his long, tiring journey feel more meaningful.
6. Why is the flute so significant in Vikram Seth's reflection on his travels?
The flute is highly significant because it symbolises a universal language that transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. The author notes that various forms of the flute—the reed-pipe, the recorder, the Japanese shakuhachi, and the Indian bansuri—all rely on the fundamental action of human breath. This shared, simple act represents a deep, underlying connection among all people, a key takeaway from the chapter.
7. What is the concluding message or reflection in the 'Kathmandu' chapter?
The concluding message is a reflection on the power of simple, everyday experiences to reveal profound truths. After being overwhelmed by the city's chaos, the author finds a sense of universal connection in the flute seller's music. He realises that such moments of quiet observation are as important as grand journeys, and this thought makes him feel less homesick and more connected to the world.
8. Can you provide a quick revision summary of 'Kathmandu' covering its key events?
Yes, a quick recap of the 'Kathmandu' summary includes these key points:
- The author's visit to the Pashupatinath temple and his observation of its chaotic atmosphere.
- His contrasting experience at the serene and peaceful Boudhanath stupa.
- His detailed descriptions of the city's busy, noisy, and colourful streets.
- The pivotal encounter with the flute seller, which triggers a deep reflection on universal human culture.
- His final decision to fly back to Delhi, feeling thoughtful and less weary after this profound experience.
