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NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 8 Kathmandu

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 8 Kathmandu covers Vikram Seth's travel account of his visit to the temples and historic sites of Kathmandu, Nepal, along with important questions and answers.

Overview of Topics & Subtopics (Click to Jump)

1. About the Author and the Journey

Short Note:

• Vikram Seth is a well-known Indian writer, and this chapter is an excerpt from his travelogue 'From Heaven Lake', describing his journey through Kathmandu, Nepal.

• He describes his visit to the Pashupatinath Temple, a major Hindu shrine, and observes the rituals, pilgrims and the general atmosphere around it.

• He also visits the Bodhnath Stupa, a significant Buddhist site, and reflects on the coexistence of Hindu and Buddhist traditions in Nepal.

2. Key Observations

Short Note:

• Seth describes the crowded market, the ancient wood carvings, temples with erotic sculptures, and the general chaos and charm of Kathmandu's streets.

• He notes the peaceful atmosphere at the Bodhnath Stupa in contrast to the noisy commercial hub of the city, and comments on his frustration at not being allowed to enter the Pashupatinath Temple sanctum as a foreign national of non-Hindu identity by local rules.

• He also visits the Kasthamandap, an ancient wooden pavilion said to have given Kathmandu its name, admiring its historic architecture.

3. Theme & Message

Short Note:

• The chapter reflects on the rich cultural and religious heritage of Nepal, its blend of Hindu and Buddhist traditions, and the everyday life of its people.

• It also offers a personal, reflective travel-writing style that combines observation, historical detail and gentle humour.

Reading With Insight (Textbook Questions)

Q1: What does the writer say about the temples of Kathmandu?
Answer: The writer describes the numerous temples of Kathmandu, especially Pashupatinath with its golden roof and detailed wood carvings, some of which feature erotic imagery, and notes the constant presence of pilgrims, priests and religious activity around them.
Q2: Why couldn't the writer enter the Pashupatinath Temple, and how did he feel about it?
Answer: As a person not officially recognised as Hindu, the writer was not permitted to enter the inner sanctum of the temple, and he expressed mild irritation and irony at being excluded from a temple in a way he would not be in India, despite being of Indian origin himself.
Q3: What impression does the writer form of the Bodhnath Stupa?
Answer: The writer finds the Bodhnath Stupa to be a place of great calm and spirituality, with its watchful painted eyes and peaceful atmosphere offering a strong contrast to the noisy, commercial bustle of central Kathmandu.

Extract-Based / Short Answer Questions

Q4: How does the writer describe the streets and market of Kathmandu?
Answer: The writer describes the streets as narrow, crowded and lively, filled with shops selling a variety of goods, mixed with ancient buildings, temples and constant movement of people, animals and vehicles.
Q5: What historical detail does the writer share about the Kasthamandap?
Answer: The writer notes that the Kasthamandap is an ancient wooden pavilion, believed to be built entirely from the wood of a single tree, and it is thought to have given Kathmandu city its very name.
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Class 9 › English › Kathmandu
Chapter notesRead the chapterPractice MCQsCheck what you rememberChapter test10 questions on one pageOnline testTest 1, 2 and 3, one question at a timePYQPrevious year questionsStudy materialPDF notes
Topics in this chapter: About the Author and the JourneyKey ObservationsTheme & Message