📘 KATHMANDU
By Vikram Seth (Class 9 Beehive)
✅ 1–40: Short Questions (2–3 lines each, colorful bullets)
- Who is the author of “Kathmandu”? 🔵 Vikram Seth is the author of this chapter.
- What is the chapter about? 🟢 It describes the author’s visit to Kathmandu and his vivid observations.
- Which temples did the author visit? 🟡 He visits two iconic sites: Pashupatinath (Hindu) and Baudhnath (Buddhist).
- How is Pashupatinath described? 🔴 It’s crowded, loud, chaotic, and filled with rituals.
- How is Baudhnath different? 🔵 It’s peaceful, serene, and has a calm spiritual atmosphere.
- Why could only Hindus enter Pashupatinath? 🟣 It follows a religious custom restricting entry.
- What made Pashupatinath chaotic? 🟢 Crowds, noisy ceremonies, monkeys, and carefree hustle.
- How does Seth describe Baudhnath’s calm? 🟡 Quiet chants and gentle presence create a peaceful vibe.
- What strange event does he witness at Pashupatinath? 🔴 Monkeys fighting near the gates.
- What animals are around the temple? 🔵 Monkeys and pigeons roam freely.
- How are the streets of Kathmandu described? 🟣 Narrow, bustling, full of people and vendors.
- What kinds of shops are seen? 🟢 Shops sell marzipan, postcards, souvenirs, and religious items.
- What sounds fill the streets? 🟡 Chants, horns, loudspeakers, and flute music.
- Who populate the streets? 🔴 Pilgrims, tourists, locals, and wandering sadhus.
- What feelings does the author experience? 🔵 Overwhelm, fascination, and mental fatigue.
- What did he buy during his stay? 🟣 He purchases chocolate, comics, and a love story.
- What modes of transport are mentioned? 🟢 Rickshaws, taxis, motorbikes, and cycles.
- Why does he want to leave? 🟡 He feels spiritually enriched yet physically drained.
- What contrasts stand out to him? 🔴 The stark difference between chaos and peace at the temples.
- Why is Kathmandu unforgettable? 🔵 Its intense cultural and spiritual tapestry leaves a mark.
- What kind of music does he notice? 🟣 A melodious flute playing in the street.
- Who plays the flute? 🟢 A local street vendor sells flutes and plays with skill.
- Why does the flute music appeal to him? 🟡 Its nostalgic, soothing quality evokes deep reflection.
- What does Seth notice about the flutes? 🔴 Though different in shape, they all produce similar tunes.
- What symbol does the flute become? 🔵 A sign of unity, peace, and shared humanity.
- How does he feel when departing Kathmandu? 🟣 Enriched, thoughtful, and lightly weary.
- Why does he admire Nepalese culture? 🟢 Because of its spiritual depth and cultural richness.
- Who does he encounter around temples? 🟡 Priests, pilgrims, tourists, vendors, and sadhus.
- How does he perceive the rituals? 🔴 Intense, captivating, and spiritually significant.
- What irks him about the city? 🔵 Noise, pollution, crowds, and urban disorder.
- Why are the flutes fascinating? 🟣 They remind him of universal emotions shared across people.
- What does flute music symbolize? 🟢 Peace, unity, and human connectedness.
- What items do vendors sell? 🟡 Religious artifacts, snacks, and souvenirs.
- Why is Baudhnath more peaceful than Pashupatinath? 🔴 Fewer crowds and a quiet spiritual pace.
- What local food does he mention? 🟢 He doesn’t describe much, but buys some chocolate.
- Which book did he buy? 🟣 A romantic novel, unspecified in title.
- Why is Kathmandu unique? 🟡 It’s a blend of vibrant, spiritual, and cultural experiences.
- What are Seth’s plans post‑trip? 🔵 Return home and recover from the sensory overload.
- Why are impressions mixed? 🔴 The place is both enlightening and exhausting.
- How does flute music impact him? 🟢 It calms his mind and helps him reflect on life’s deeper aspects.
✅ 41–45: Long Answers (100–120 words)
41. Describe the atmosphere at Pashupatinath temple. 🟦
The atmosphere at Pashupatinath is intense, crowded with pilgrims, priests, sadhus, vendors, and animals such as monkeys and pigeons. Only Hindus are allowed to enter, causing a push and bustle at the gates. Rituals are loud and frequent, and the place hums with activity and devotion. Despite the chaos, a strong spiritual energy surrounds the temple. Seth finds it overwhelming yet deeply moving—an experience of raw devotion and cultural immersion. This mix of disorder and sanctity shapes his lasting impression of Kathmandu.
42. How does Vikram Seth contrast Baudhnath and Pashupatinath? 🟩
Seth paints a vivid contrast between two spiritual worlds: Pashupatinath is vibrant, crowded, noisy, and deeply chaotic, representing the spirited Hindu devotion that fills the senses. Baudhnath, in stark contrast, is serene—quiet chants, gentle bell sounds, prayer wheels, and meditative monks create an atmosphere of peace and introspection. This juxtaposition goes beyond religion—it represents two modes of spiritual expression. Through this contrast, Seth invites the reader to appreciate the diversity of spiritual experiences within one city.
43. What significance does the flute seller have? 🟥
The flute seller becomes the chapter’s emotional center—a calm oasis amid Kathmandu’s chaos. His soft, nostalgic melodies bring peace to Seth’s jangled senses. The act of playing simple tunes on a humble bamboo flute becomes a metaphor for universal feelings that transcend culture, noise, and religion. It moves Seth to reflection and empathy, embodying the idea that beauty is often found in quiet moments. The flute’s gentle music contrasts with the surrounding hubbub and highlights the human need for moments of stillness and connection.
44. How does Seth describe Kathmandu’s cultural diversity? 🟨
Seth portrays Kathmandu as a microcosm of cultural harmony and contrast. Hindu temples bustle with fiery rituals and noisy crowds, while Buddhist stupas exude calm serenity and reflective worship. Street corners against these backdrops reflect life’s vibrancy—flute players, pilgrims, tourists, vendors, and monks coexist peacefully. This melding of traditions, languages, beliefs, and people creates a rich tapestry. Seth finds it beautiful and humbling, a living example of how diverse spiritual traditions can thrive side by side in mutual respect.
45. What message does the chapter convey? 🟧
“Kathmandu” conveys that exploration—especially of faith and culture—opens one’s mind and heart. It shows that beauty lies both in the fervour of ritual and the calm of meditation. Seth’s journey proves that spiritual and emotional richness often stems from contrast: noise and silence, chaos and calm. Furthermore, it reminds readers that small moments—like the melodies of a flute—can hold deep meaning. The chapter encourages us to embrace cultural variability, seek inner peace, and cherish simple, profound experiences in our travels and reflections.
✅ 46–50: Value-Based Questions
46. What moral lesson does “Kathmandu” give us? 🟦
It teaches us to embrace cultural diversity and find peace amid chaos—not just tolerate differences, but celebrate them.
47. What does the story show about human emotions? 🟩
That even in overwhelming chaos, the human heart yearns for calm, connection, and shared understanding.
48. Why should we explore other cultures? 🟥
Because exposure nurtures tolerance, empathy, and appreciation of varied beliefs and experiences.
49. Which values are highlighted in this chapter? 🟨
Respect for tradition, mindfulness, reflection, and the power of small moments to transform our perspective.
50. How can this story shape young minds? 🟧
It encourages them to be curious, empathetic, open to difference, and to value simple moments of calm and connection—even in busy lives.