Class 9 English - HARYANA
Prose: Kathmandu
Kathmandu by Vikram Seth is a travelogue included in the Class 9 Haryana Board (BSEH) English curriculum. The chapter describes the author's visits to two sacred shrines in the Nepalese capital: Pashupatinath temple and the Baudhnath stupa. Seth contrasts the noisy, chaotic, and crowded atmosphere of the Hindu temple with the serene, quiet, and peaceful environment of the Buddhist shrine. The chapter also captures the vibrant street life of Kathmandu, filled with flute sellers, hawkers, and film songs. It holds high importance for board exams, testing students on descriptive details, thematic contrasts, and comprehension.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Pashupatinath Temple
A sacred Hindu shrine where a strict 'Hindus only' entry rule applies, characterized by feverish activity, crowds, priests, worshippers, and mischievous monkeys.
Baudhnath Stupa
A Tibetan Buddhist shrine featuring a massive white dome ringed by a road, offering a haven of stillness and calm amidst the bustling city noise.
The Flute Seller
A hawker selling bamboo flutes from a pole, playing them slowly and meditatively without the aggressive sales tactics of other vendors, which deeply fascinates the author.
Travelogue
A piece of writing about travel that records the author's personal experiences, observations, and reflections on different places and cultures.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Haryana Board (BSEH) Class 9 English exams, this chapter typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Common question types include short answer questions about the two temples, character-based or descriptive questions about the flute seller, and reading comprehension passages extracted from the text.
Frequently Asked Questions
What difference does the author note between the Pashupatinath temple and Baudhnath stupa?
Pashupatinath is noisy, chaotic, and crowded with strict entry rules, while Baudhnath stupa is a haven of quietness and peace with a sense of stillness.
How is the flute seller different from other hawkers in Kathmandu?
Unlike other hawkers who shout out their wares to attract customers, the flute seller plays his flutes slowly, meditatively, and without excessive eagerness to sell.
What is the central idea or message of the chapter Kathmandu?
The chapter highlights cultural diversity through different religious shrines while emphasizing the underlying unity of humanity, symbolized by the universal music of the flute.
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