Visited the World Heritage listed Pashupatinath Temple today and my guide, Bikram Tamang, gave me a great insight into this amazing Hindu place of worship. Bikram gave me access to places I wouldn’t have had the courage to go and saved embarrassment from places I wasn’t allowed. He explained that this place is as significant to Hindus in Nepal as Mecca is to Muslims. Every Nepalese Hindu strives to come here at least once in their life. We witnessed the cleansing of a body in the river water (tributary of the Ganges River) and cremations. Ashes are swept into the river. Within this Centre is a place where the homeless and handicap are cared for. A hospice for the dying is located next to the cremation area. Just up from there are separate caves where Hindu priests and Buddhist monks pray and meditate.
Note to self: maps aren’t necessarily drawn to scale. Walking from Thamel to here wasn’t as easy as I thought!
I met with Madeoline and ??? At the Funky Buddha for dinner to discuss going out to Batase. They have been teaching there and explained to me what it’s all about. The met with Som’s brother Dinesh to discuss how I can get out to the village. He is escorting another teacher Cloe on Monday so I will go with them. It means walking from Kathmandu for 2 days. Could be interesting.
angusmccoll 