Kathmandu Summary ||Beehive|| Class 9 English
In this travelogue, Vikram Seth shares his experiences and observations during his stay in Kathmandu. He visits two significant temples: the Pashupatinath Temple, which is sacred to Hindus, and the Baudhnath Stupa, a major Buddhist shrine.
At the Pashupatinath Temple, he notices the chaos and pollution, with tourists, priests, hawkers, and animals all around. The holy river Bagmati is being polluted by people bathing and washing clothes in it. In contrast, the Baudhnath Stupa offers a sense of serenity and calmness, with Tibetan shops selling various items around it.
Seth also describes the vibrant and noisy streets of Kathmandu, filled with shops selling antiques, postcards, fruits, and Western goods. He enjoys local snacks like marzipan bars and corn-on-the-cob with spicy masala. An interesting encounter with a thoughtful flute seller leaves a lasting impression on him.