Thursday 26 July 2018

Kathmandu's temples

We woke up around 8 and headed to the balcony for our free breakfast, and headed out just after 9. We got a taxi to a very large Hindu temple in time to witness the morning cremations. It sounds extremely morbid but was a great way to learn more about the culture. As we were watching a man started to tell us all about what we were seeing, and it quickly became apparent that he was a guide. We opted to pay the extra money for his hour long tour so that was could learn more about what we were seeing, and from here he showed us around the temple grounds. We saw the cremation ceremony which involves the body being unwrapped and circled around before being laid on the cremation material. A candle is placed in the mouth and lit which starts the burning. As Hindus believe in reincarnation it wasn't as depressing as it probably sounds, and learning about the specifics of the tradition was really interesting. 





We also saw small different temples dating back to the 9th century; one was for fertility and couples would come here to pray if they were trying for a baby. We also saw holy men who live in small houses in the temple grounds, and wanted donations in return for photos with them. They looked amazing with their painted faces so i happily obliged. We spent a while there after the tour just watching people and then ventured off to another temple.




This was the tallest Buddhist temple in the world (?) and was very interesting to see. The temple grounds also contained a monastery where we lit a candle and also lots of shops and restaurants which was weird, but very convenient for lunch! After a while here we started he hour and 20 minute walk home. We didn't get very far as we were suddenly hit by the monsoon rains when we were in a shop. It was mental! In the space of 5 minutes it had become torrential and the roads were flooded. With a long way still to go we reluctantly opted for a taxi which was definitely a good decision!


After changing our clothes and having a shower, meg and I ventured out in search of a gym. We had found one about a 5 minute walk according to Google maps, but it quickly became apparent that it wasn't there. We spent the next 45 minutes or so trying to find it, asked numerous people for directions and finally learnt that it had moved locations a year ago but that this had not changed online. Fortunately we discovered another gym near by and spent the next hour or so there, paying only 250 rupees (less than £2).

We headed back, showered and then went to get dinner with katie. The owners of the hostel recommended a restaurant and we went and got a nepalese thali which we had had previously, but they brought refills of the food and so I ended up eating loads. Katie and I then shared apple momos for dessert which were nice and cool to try. We headed back to the hostel ready for an early night as we had an early start the following morning.

Laura x

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