Ch.8 Kathmandu, 9th-Eng

 
*Ch.8 Kathmandu (Vikram Seth)*
 
Very Short Type Q-Ans.  
 
*1. Who is the writer of ch. ‘Kathmandu’?*
Ans. 'Vikram Seth' is the writer of this chapter
 
*2. Name the temples the author visited in Kathmandu.*
Ans. He visited Pashupatinath temple and Baudhnath Stupa in Kathmandu
 
*3. Who were along with the author during his visit to Kathmandu?*
Ans. Mr. Shah’s son and his nephew were with him during his visit to Kathmandu.
 
*4. Who are allowed to enter in Pashupatinath temple?*
Ans. Only Hindus are allowed to enter in Pashupatinath temple.
 
*5. Who can be seen roaming outside the Pashupatinath temple?*
Ans. Priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, cows, monkeys and dogs
 
*6. How is the atmosphere around the Pashupatinath temple?*
Ans. Full of confusion
 
*7. How is the atmosphere around the Baudhnath Stupa?*
Ans. Full  of stillness
 
*8. Which river flows through Kathmandu?*
Ans. Baghmati
 
*9. How does the author return to Delhi?*
Ans. By Nepal Airlines
 
*10. How were the Westerners dressed?*
Ans. They were dressed in saffron colour.
 
*11. Where was the flute seller standing?*
Ans. He was standing in the corner of a square.

Short Type Q-Ans.

*1. Name the two temples the author visited in Kathmandu?*

Ans. The name these two temples are 'The Pashupatinath Temple' and 'Baudhnath Stupa'.

*2. The writer says, "All this I wash down with Coka Cola." What does 'all this' refer to?*

Ans. This refer to corn on the cob and a bar of marzipan.

*3. What does the Vikram Seth compare to the quills of a porcupine.*

Ans. He compares the quills of a porcupine to the flutes which are tied on the top of the flute seller's pole.

*4. Name five kinds of flute.*

Ans. The reed ned, the recorder, the Japanese Shakuhachi, the deep Bansuri and the the cross flute.

*5. What difference does the author note between the flute seller and the other hawkers?*

Ans. The other hawkers were selling the things calling loudly. But the flute seller does not shout out. He was standing in a corner. He was playing a flute slowly and without excessive display.

*6. What is the belief at Pashupatinath about the end of Kaliyug?*

Ans. The river Bagmati flows near the Pashupatinath temple. There is a small shrine on the river bank. It is half in the water of the river. The Nepalese believe that when the whole shrine comes out, the goddess of the shrine will appear and the evil period of Kaliyug on earth will end.

Long-Answer

1. Compare and contrast the atmosphere in and around the Baudhnath shrine with the Pashupatinath temple. 

Ans. The author describes two temples of Kathmandu. One is the Pashupatinath temple of the Hindus. The other is the Baudhnath Stupa which is a shrine of the Buddhists. There is a contrast in the atmosphere at these two temples. At Pashupatinath, the author finds a lot of noise and confusion. The author finds priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, cows, monkeys, pigeons and dogs. There is a crowd of devotees who push one another to make their way to the Lord. Only Hindus are allowed to enter this temple. Westerners struggle for permission to enter. But the policeman does not allow them. Two monkeys fight each other inside the temple. The Bagmati river flows near it. People drop flowers and leaves into the river. On the other hand, the atmosphere at the Baudhnath Stupa is calm. The Stupa has a big white dome. The author does not find any crowd there.