CBSE Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 10 Kathmandu NCERT Solutions

Yes, travelling is an enjoyable activity for many people, including the writer Vikram Seth. It offers opportunities to explore new places, understand different cultures, and gain insights into the unknown aspects of the world. The experience of a long journey, like the one Seth describes from China to India through Tibet and Nepal, can be particularly enriching.

Yes, places like Ajmer Sharif, Madurai, Sanchi, Varanasi, Sarnath, and Halebid are well-known religious and historical sites in India. Many other such significant places exist across the country that attract devotees and tourists alike. Some examples include Amarnath, known for its ice lingam; Vaishno Devi, a popular pilgrimage site; Haridwar and Ujjain, famous for their ghats and religious festivals; and Shirdi, associated with Sai Baba.

Typically, the areas surrounding holy places in many cities are bustling with activity. They are often characterized by a lively, sometimes crowded, atmosphere. Shops selling religious items such as flowers for offerings, idols of deities, prasad (religious food offerings), and other devotional paraphernalia line the streets. These locations are frequently visited by a large number of devotees daily, contributing to a vibrant and sometimes noisy environment.

The author, Vikram Seth, visited two significant religious sites in Kathmandu: the Pashupatinath temple and the Boudhanath stupa.

'All this' refers to the various items the author consumed or experienced before having a Coca Cola. These included a bar of marzipan, a corn-on-the-cob that was roasted over a charcoal stove and seasoned with salt, chili powder, and lemon, as well as a couple of love story comics and a Reader's Digest magazine.

Vikram Seth compares the numerous bansuris (flutes) that were protruding in all directions from a pole made of bamboo to the quills of a porcupine. This comparison emphasizes the sheer quantity and the way they were spread out.

The five kinds of flutes mentioned are: the reed new, the Japanese shakuhachi, the deep bansuri used in Hindustani classical music, the clear or breathy flutes from South America, and the high-pitched Chinese flutes.

The author observes a distinct difference in the approach of the flute seller compared to other hawkers. While other hawkers typically shout loudly to attract customers and sell their wares, the flute seller selects a flute and plays it for a few minutes. The music produced rises clearly above the general noise of traffic and other vendors. The flute seller plays slowly and meditatively, without excessive showmanship, creating a more serene experience than the aggressive sales tactics of others.

At the Pashupatinath temple, there is a belief associated with a small shrine located on the riverbank. This shrine protrudes from the stone platform. It is believed that when this shrine emerges fully from the water, the goddess residing within it will escape. This event is prophesied to mark the end of the evil period known as Kaliyug on Earth.

The author, Vikram Seth, uses vivid descriptions to paint pictures for the reader. Here are examples illustrating the atmosphere, sights, and sounds he encountered:

1. Atmosphere of 'febrile confusion' outside the temple of Pashupatinath:
   • Many worshippers attempting to gain the priest's attention were pushed aside by others aggressively moving forward.
   • At the main gate, a group of Westerners dressed in saffron robes struggled to get permission to enter, as the temple is only open to Hindus.
   • A fight broke out between two monkeys; one chased the other, which then jumped onto a Shivalinga, ran around the temple complex, and finally down to the holy Bagmati river.
2. Things he sees:
   • The Boudhanath Stupa is described as having an immense white dome surrounded by a road, with small shops selling Tibetan prints and silver jewellery on its outer edge.
   • On the busy streets of Kathmandu, he observed various vendors, including fruit sellers and flute sellers.
   • He also noticed shops selling Western cosmetics, film rolls, chocolates, copper utensils, and Nepalese antiques.
3. Sounds he hears:
   • Film songs were blaring loudly from radios, creating a constant background noise.
   • The sounds of car horns and bicycle bells added to the urban cacophony.
   • Vendors could be heard shouting out their wares to attract customers.
   • He also heard flute music, which he found to be a particularly evocative sound.