Updated on 28/06/2026
*8. Kathmandu (Vikram Seth)*
*1. Who is the writer of ‘Kathmandu’?*
Ans. Vikram Seth
*2. Name the temples the author visited in Kathmandu.*
Ans. Pashupatinath temple and Baudhnath Shrine
*3. Who was along with the author?*
Ans. Mr. Shah’s son and nephew
*4. What sign is outside the Pashupatinath temple?*
Ans. "Entrance for the Hindus only."
*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. Bagmati river
*9. What route did the author finally decide to take to return to Delhi?*
Ans. By bus to Jayanagar, then by train to Patna and Delhi.
*10. How were the Westerners dressed?*
Ans. In saffron clothes
*11. Where was the flute seller standing?*
Ans. In the corner of the square
Textual Questions
1. Name the two temples the author visited in Kathmandu?
Ans. The Pashupatinath temple and Baudhnath Stupa.
2. The writer says, "All this I wash down with Coca Cola." What does 'all this' refer to?
Ans. To corn on the cob and a bar of marzipan.
3. What does Vikram Seth compare to the quills of a porcupine?
Ans. He compares the quills of a porcupine to the flutes 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 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 Kaluyug?
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 end the evil period of Kaliyug on earth.
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 shrines. At Pashupatinath, the author finds a lot of noise and confusion. The author finds priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, cows, monkeys, pigeons and dogs roaming there. There is a crowd of devotees and people 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 at the gate does not allow them. Two monkeys fight each other and one of them runs screaming around the temple. The Bagmati river flows below the temple. People drop flowers and leaves into the river. On the other hand, the atmosphere at the Bandhnath Stupa is calm. The Stupa has a big white dome. The author does not find any crowd there.