KATHMANDU

-Vikram Seth
 Popular Holy Places in North India
- Akshaya

◦Vaishno Devi – Jammu and Kashmir

◦Varanasi - Uttarpradesh
◦Haridwar – Uttarakhand
◦Bodh Gaya - Bihar
◦Golden Temple - Punjab
◦Jagannath temple – Odisha
◦Brahma temple - Rajasthan
◦Shridi - Maharashtra
◦Tawang Buddist Monastery - Arunachal
Pradesh
◦Naina Devi - Himachal Pradesh.
 Popular Holy Places in South India
- Aadrika

◦San Thome Basilica - Chennai, Tamil Nadu

◦Tipu sultan summer palace mosque - Bangalore,
Karnataka
◦St Philomena church - Mysuru, Karnataka
◦Sarangapani temple - Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu
◦Sri Mookambika temple - Kollur, Karnataka
◦Nagore dargah – Nagore, Tamil Nadu
◦Velankanni Basilica- Velankanni, Tamil Nadu
◦Guruvayur Kshetram - Guruvayur Kerala
◦Kanyakumari bhagavathy amman temple,
Kanyakumari Tamil Nadu
◦Beemapally mosque - Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala
 About Kathmandu
-Anantika
◦ Kathmandu is also known as the city of temples because
of its many ancient pagodas and stupas. There is
Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Temple, Boudha
Stupa, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar square.
It was once called the 'city of glory'Kathmandu used to be
known as Kantipur, which means the "city of glory
Kathmandu Valley boasts seven World Heritage Sites.
◦ It is one of the world's most historical cities Kathmandu
Durbar Square is one of three famous squares in the city.
 About Boudhanath Stupa
- Dipikaa V.A
◦ Boudhanath is the largest stupa in Nepal which was
probably built during the 14th century after the
Mughal invasions. Following the Chinese invasion in
1959, many Tibetans came to this stupa which today
has become one of the most important centres of
Tibetan Buddhism.
◦ It remains as a significant place of pilgrimage for
Tibetan Buddhists and Nepalis. Located in the town
of Boudha towards the eastern outskirts of
Kathmandu, Boudhanath looks like a giant mandala.
◦ The monument got little affected during the earthquake.
The splendid dome of Budhanath stupa is approximately
120ft in diameter and 43m in height. The square tower is
topped by a pyramid with 13 steps, representing the
ladder to enlightenment. Prayer flags tied to the stupa
flutter in the wind, carrying mantras and prayers
heavenward.
◦ A thick layer of whitewash cats the dome and the form of a
double lotus depicted in saffron water colors it. Beneath
the dome, is an added terrace with a remarkable 108
niches filled with stone sculpture. And on the base of the
stupa, contains three large circular platforms in
descending order which symbolizes the earth.
 The Story behind Pashupatinath Temple
-Anitha
◦Pasupatinath is the most important temple
dedicated to God shiva. Every year this temple
attracts hundreds of elderly followers of Hinduism.
They arrive here to find shelter for the last several
weeks of their lives, to meet death, be cremated on
the banks of the river and travel their last journey
with waters of the sacred river Bagmati, which later
meets the holy river Ganges.
◦Hindiusts from every corner of Nepal and India are
arriving here to die. It is believed that those who die in
Pasupatinath Temple are reborn as a human,
regardless of any misconduct that could worsen their
karma.
◦The exact day of their death is predicted by
astrologers of the temple. If you are attracted to places
where the spirit of death can be felt, then consider
Pashupatinath as your first destination. It is a temple
with a special atmosphere of death; death is present in
almost every ritual and every corner of it.
 The Story Behind Brihadeeshwar Temple
- Akshita sree.M
◦The Brihadeeshwarar Temple, constructed in 1010
AD in Thanjavur, India, by Chola Emperor Rajaraja I,
is Dedicated to Lord Shiva, In every stone, in every
carving, Brihadeeshwarar echoes the ancient hymns
of devotion and the architectural prowess of a
bygone era.
◦As we stand in its shadow, we are not just witnesses
to history; we are participants in a journey through
time, a journey that connects us to the roots of our
cultural identity.
 Summary
- Diya Jayesh
◦This story tells us about the author’s visit to the
capital of Nepal, Kathmandu. We see that he was
coming from China to visit India via hitchhiking. In
this hitchhiking, he crosses Tibet and Nepal. Thus,
this story gives us an account of his experience in
Kathmandu. This travelogue gives an insight on his
trip to the city and what he feels about it. On his
trip to Kathmandu, Vikram visits the two most
popular temples of the city.
◦One is the Pashupatinath temple and the other is
Baudhnath Stupa. He notices the difference between the
two temples and the atmosphere surrounding them.
Thus, through Kathmandu’s summary, we travel to the
city without actually going there, through Vikram’s
magical words.
 About Vikram Seth
-Darshana
◦Vikram Seth, born on June 20, 1952, is an esteemed Indian
novelist and poet, renowned for works like "Mappings"
and "Beastly Tales." His literary prowess has earned him
accolades, including the Padma Shri, Sahitya Academy
Award, Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, WH Smith Literary
Award, and Crossword Book Award.
◦Educated at The Doon School, where he served as editor-
in-chief of The Doon School Weekly, Seth was influenced
by his geography teacher, mountaineer Gurdial Singh.
 "From Heaven Lake: Travels through Sinkiang and Tibet”
- Diya.M
◦This book is Vikram Seth's 1983 travelogue recounting his
journey through Tibet, China, and Nepal. Focused on the
diverse landscapes, cultures, and people encountered, the
narrative revolves around Seth's experiences.
◦The title alludes to Heaven Lake, a crater lake on the China-
North Korea border. This travel book showcases Seth's
adept prose and storytelling, providing a vivid portrayal of
the regions explored and reflecting on the multifaceted
aspects of the places and people encountered during his
travels.
 THANK YOU!
◦ Aadrika
◦ Akshaya
◦ Akshita sree
◦ Anantika
◦ Anitha
◦ Darshana
◦ Dipikaa
◦ Diya
◦ Diya Jayesh