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Nepal Travelogue
1991年 ＃4/4
Pashupatinath Temple along the Bagmati River,
World Heritage Site
Pashupatinath
Pashupatinath, the largest Hindu temple in Nepal, is located on the banks of the Bagmati River, a tributary of the Ganges River and considered a holy river.
It is located on the east side of the Kathmandu Valley, along the river near the airport.
Get to the perfect photo spot
At that time, there was not enough information about Kathmandu, so a local guide took me to the Bagmati River in the eastern suburbs of Kathmandu.
The riverbank on the opposite bank, a World Heritage site, was a perfect spot for photographers to take photos.
Photo of author, 1991
To the north on the right is the upper reaches of the Bagmati River.
Photo by author, 1991
There is a ghat (bathing place) facing the Bagmati River. Pashupati Aarya Ghat
Photo by author, 1991
Patinath Temple
The Patinath temple in the background is the holiest place in Nepal and is visited by many sadhus and pilgrims not only from Nepal but also from India and other countries. The entrance to the temple is in the background (2nd photo below). Non-Hindu travellers are not allowed to enter the temple.
However, the opposite side of the river was open, and it was possible to observe and photograph this religious building and pilgrims from the opposite bank of the river.
Photo by author, 1991
Photo by author, 1991
Photo by author, 1991
Photo by author, 1991
Crematorium photo spot
Cremations are taking place in the Bagmati River. Those of higher rank are burned on the crematorium further upstream. Some people are washing themselves beside the bodies, while others are seen doing laundry.
Firewood is piled on a platform on the riverbank, and the body is placed on it.
Photo by author, 1991
On the south side of the temple, downstream of the Bagmati River, there is a cremation platform with multiple cremation platforms adjacent to it, and after cremation, the ashes are poured into the Bagmati River.
The Bagmati River is a tributary of the Ganges River, a sacred place for Hindus, so it is believed that if the body is purified with the holy water and cremated here at the ghat, it will return to the great mother river Ganga.
For Hindus, this method is considered the ideal way to die.
People busy working on the cremation.
Photo by author, 1991
Photo by author, 1991
A series of buildings along the lower reaches of the river within the temple grounds.
Photo by author, 1991
Residential areas in Kathmandu
I went to the outer boundary where the city of Kathmandu ends. At this point, the city ended and the fields were spreading.
Photo by author, 1991
Suburbs of Kathmandu
Roadside below the cliff
The residential area ends at the top of the cliff, and the countryside spreads out below.
Photo by author, 1991
Distant view of the Kathmandu Valley
1991年 写真 筆者撮影
Small trek on the outskirts of Kathmandu.
Photo by author, 1991
Photo of author, 1991
Photo of author, 1991
Spectacular views of Terraced fields
Beautiful man-made terraced rice fields on the mountainside.
Photo by author, 1991
Photos by author, January 1991
