Bodnath & Pashupatinath

Bodnath used to be on the main trade routes to Tibet and is, according to Lonely Planet, one of the world's largest stupas.  The stupa is enormous and decorated with lots if prayer flags fluttering in the breeze. While we were there an old couple, obviously on pilgrimage were getting some young boys to help them put up the flags. The boys dutifully climbed the staircase to the very top to attach one end, and then climbed a pole at the bottom to attach the other end - no mean feat!

Around the stupa are a number if Tibetan monasteries - this area is one of the many concentrations of Tibetan refugees in Nepal and India. We wandered around the square looking at the various monasteries and wandered the narrow streets with shops selling all sorts of Tibetan ware.

A short taxi ride later we were in another temple - Pashupatinath - this time Hindu. It is located in the banks of the Burghati river, which flows to the Ganges. The temple is the holiest site for Hindus in Nepal. As non-Hindus we couldn't enter, but there was plenty to see outside - all manner of shrines to the various incarnations of Shiva and Vishnu were around the temple.

Sadhus (Hindu holy men) were also in abundance and willing to have their photo taken for a small fee.

The most intriguing thing though was the funeral pyres. While we were there one was being prepared, one was set alight, and two were near their end. Unlike in India, we were allowed to take photos - our guide told us that Nepalis feel it is a public event.

 

That's it for Kathmandu and the surrounding areas. Tomorrow morning (6 am) we head for Pokhara and the start of our five day trek into the Annapurna range.