Kathmandu : Vikram Seth Class 9th HBSE & CBSE

This lesson is included in the syllabus of Nineth class, both in HBSE & CBSE. This lesson (travelogue) is an excerpt from a famous book - HEAVEN LAKE- by  Indian writer Vikram Seth. Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal, our neighbouring country in the  East. 

Vikram Seth 

 

Word Meanings-

proclaims    घोषणा करना 

atmosphere   वातावरण 

devotee  श्रद्धालु 

saffron  केसरिया 

holy  पवित्र 

corpse  शव 

shrine  धार्मिक स्थल 

immense  विशाल , विस्तृत 

immigrants  प्रवासी 

haven   आसरा , शरण स्थली 

adorned  सजाया हुआ 

deities  देवता गण 

utensils  बर्तन 

stray  आवारा 

indulge  लीन होना 

marzipan एक प्रकार की मिठाई 

brazier  अंगीठी 

pavement  पटरी 

nauseating जी मितलाने वाली 

propelled  प्रेरित 

enthusiasm  उत्साह 

protrude  बाहर की और निकली हुई 

porcupine  साही , झावा 

meditatively बड़े ध्यान पूर्वक 

excessive  अधिक 

pattern  तरीका 

reed  सरकंडा 

specific  विशेष प्रकार का 

abroad  विदेश 

significance  महत्व 

Imp. VSA--

1. Where is Kathmandu situated?

Ans- Kathmandu is situated in Nepal and this city is also the capital of Nepal. 

2. Which two temples did the author visit in Kathmandu?

Ans- The author visited Pashupati Nath temple and Baudhnath Stupa in Kathmandu.

3. What signboard is there outside Pashupati Nath temple?

Ans- The signboard outside Pashupati Nath temple is '' Entrance for Hindus Only''.

4. Which river flows through Kathmandu?

Ans- The Bagmati river flows through Kathmandu.

5. How is the atmosphere at the Pashupati Nath temple?

Ans- The atmosphere at the  Pashupati Nath temple is full of confusion.

6. How is the atmosphere at the Baudhnath Stupa?

Ans- The atmosphere at the Baudhnath Stupa is peaceful and still. 

7. Who owned  most of the shops in Kathmandu?

Ans- The Tibetan immigrants.

8. What items are being sold outside the Buadhnath Stupa?

Ans- Felt bags, Tibetan printings and silver jewellery  . 

9. How does the author decide to to take return journey to Delhi?

Ans- He decides to come back by plane of Nepal Airlines. 

10. Who does the writer see in at the square of Kathmandu?

Ans- He sees a flute seller there.

PASHUPATI NATH TEMPLE

BAUDHNATH STUPA

Imp. Textual Exercise--

Q1. Name five kind of flutes.

Ans- Five different kind of flutes are :- the reed neh, the recorder, the Japanese Shakuhachi, the deep Bansuri and the high pithed Chinese flute.

Q2. What difference does the author find between the flute seller and the other hawkers?

Ans- The author hawkers were selling their wares shouting loudly. But the flute seller does not shout out for his flutes. He was standing in a corner of the square. He often played his flute slowly and meditatively.  

Q3. What did the saffron- clad westerners want?

Ans- The saffron- clad westerners wanted to go inside the temple of Pashupati Nath , but the policeman stopped them. He did not let them enter the temple because they were not Hindus. The entrance was only for the Hindus. 

Q4. Describe how the flute seller sells his flutes?

Ans- The flute seller had tied fifty or sixty flutes on a pole. He does not shout out for his flutes. From time to time, he selects a flute and plays on it. He plays it slowly and meditatively. Sometimes , he makes a sale. 

Q5. What does Vikram Seth compare to the quills of a porcupine?

Ans- He compares the pole , carried by the flute seller ,with an attachment at the top from which fifty or sixty bansuris protrude in all directions.

Q6. What is the belief at Pashupatinath about the end of Kaliyug?

Ans- The author sees a small shrine half protrudes from the stone platform on the river bank. When it emerges fully, the goddess inside will escape, and the evil period of the Kaliyug will end on earth.

Rajender Tanwar 

PGT English 

GGSSS KAIRU Bhiwani