NCERT solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 8 Kathmandu – complete answers & explanations
Class 9 English NCERT Chapter Kathmandu
is a travelogue from the book Beehive that describes Vikram Seth’s visit to the sacred temples of Kathmandu. The chapter presents vivid descriptions of Pashupatinath Temple and Baudhnath Stupa, along with the lively streets of the city. It highlights cultural diversity, religious practices, and the emotional impact of music. This blog provides complete NCERT solutions strictly based on the given worksheet, following the exact order and content provided. What this NCERT chapter covers?1. Description of Pashupatinath Temple and Baudhnath Stupa.
2. Contrast between chaos and calm in religious places.
3. Vivid imagery of sights and sounds in Kathmandu.
4. The significance of flute music across cultures.
5. Grammar topics such as phrasal verbs, word formation, punctuation, and simple present tense.
6. Speaking and writing activities related to travelogues and commentary.
7. Poem analysis of “A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal”. How to use these NCERT solutions?1. Read each question carefully before checking the answers.
2. Attempt writing your own responses first.
3. Compare your answers with the solutions provided.
4. Use the explanations to understand how answers are structured.
5. Follow the order of the worksheet exactly for proper revision.
6. Parents and teachers can guide students by discussing explanations before reviewing final answers. Important tips & tricks for students1. Read the chapter carefully to understand descriptions and themes.
2. Pay attention to details of sights, sounds, and imagery.
3. Write short and precise answers where required.
4. Follow word limits in long-answer questions.
5. Use correct grammar and punctuation in language exercises.
6. For open-ended speaking and writing tasks, remember that answers may vary. NCERT solutions – complete answer keyBefore You Read
Explanation:
Read the questions carefully and think about your own experiences related to travel and holy places. Discuss your ideas with your classmates and write short answers in complete sentences before reading the chapter.
Sample answers (answers may vary):
Yes, I like travelling because it helps me explore new places and learn about different cultures.
Some other holy places are the Golden Temple, Mecca, Vaishno Devi, Kedarnath, and Bodh Gaya.
The surroundings are usually crowded with devotees, small shops, flower sellers, and priests. There is a peaceful yet busy atmosphere.
Thinking about the Text
1. On the following map mark out the route, which the author thought of but did not take, to Delhi.
Explanation:
Read paragraph 5 of the chapter carefully to understand the route the author planned but did not take. Then study the map and trace the route step by step.
Hint: Kathmandu to Delhi Route (planned but not taken).
2. Find out the possible routes (by rail, road or air) from Kathmandu to New Delhi/Mumbai/Kolkata/Chennai.
Explanation:
Think about the different means of transport (road, rail, air) and suggest practical routes from Kathmandu to the given cities.
Possible Routes from Kathmandu
(a) Kathmandu to New Delhi
By Air: Direct flight from Kathmandu to New Delhi.
By Road: Kathmandu → Sunauli border → Gorakhpur → Lucknow → Agra → Delhi.
By Rail: Kathmandu → Raxaul (border) → Train to Delhi.
(b) Kathmandu to Mumbai
By Air: Direct or connecting flight via Delhi.
By Rail: Kathmandu → Raxaul → Train to Mumbai.
By Road + Rail: Kathmandu → Gorakhpur → Train to Mumbai.
(c) Kathmandu to Kolkata
By Air: Direct flight to Kolkata.
By Rail: Kathmandu → Raxaul → Train to Kolkata.
By Road: Kathmandu → Siliguri → Kolkata.
(d) Kathmandu to Chennai
By Air: Connecting flight via Delhi or Mumbai.
By Rail: Kathmandu → Raxaul → Train to Chennai (long-distance route).
I. Answer these questions in one or two words or in short phrases.
1. Pashupatinath Temple and Baudhnath Stupa.
2. It refers to marzipan, roasted corn, love story comics, and a Reader’s Digest.
3. He compares the bansuris (flutes) to the quills of a porcupine.
4. Five kinds of flutes:
Reed neh
Recorder
Japanese shakuhachi
Bansuri
Chinese flutes
II. Answer each question in a short paragraph.
1. The other hawkers shout loudly to sell their goods, but the flute seller does not advertise his wares. He plays the flute calmly and meditatively. He seems detached and makes sales casually, as if selling is not his main aim. His behavior is quiet and dignified, unlike the noisy vendors.
2. At Pashupatinath, there is a small shrine that is half buried. It is believed that when the shrine fully emerges, the goddess inside will escape, and the evil period of Kaliyug will end on earth.
3. Powerful Images
(i) Atmosphere of ‘febrile confusion’
People elbowing each other to reach the priest
Monkeys fighting and running around
Saffron-clad Westerners arguing at the gate
(ii) Things he sees
A corpse being cremated
Washerwomen and children at the river
Flower-adorned shrines and busy streets
(iii) Sounds he hears
Film songs blaring
Car horns and bicycle bells
Vendors shouting their wares
III. Answer the following questions in not more than 100–150 words each.
1. The atmosphere at Pashupatinath is chaotic and crowded. There is confusion, noise, priests, devotees, monkeys and hawkers everywhere. In contrast, Baudhnath Stupa has a peaceful and calm environment. There are small shops around it, but there is no crowd or chaos. The author describes it as a “haven of quietness.” Thus, Pashupatinath is lively and disorderly, while Baudhnath is serene and tranquil.
2. Kathmandu’s streets are narrow, crowded and lively. There are fruit sellers, flute sellers and postcard hawkers. Shops sell cosmetics, film rolls and antiques. Film songs blare from radios, horns honk, bicycle bells ring and vendors shout loudly. The streets are full of energy, colour and activity.
3. The author says this because every culture in the world has some kind of flute. Though the types differ, the sound of the flute is close to the human voice. It represents breath and life. Therefore, flute music connects people across cultures and creates a sense of unity among all humans.
Thinking about Language
I. Read the following sentences carefully to understand the meaning of the italicised phrases. Then match the phrasal verbs in Column A with their meanings in Column B.
i – d
ii – a
iii – f
iv – e
v – b
vi – c
II. 1. Use the suffixes -ion or -tion to form nouns from the following verbs.
cremation
direction
dislocation
invention
action
meditation
association
temptation
exhaustion
imagination
dedication
immigration
2. Now fill in the blanks with suitable words from the ones that you have formed.
(i) invention
(ii) imagination
(iii) temptation
(iv) dedication
(v) exhaustion
III. Punctuation
An arrogant lion was wandering through the jungle one day. He asked the tiger, “Who is stronger than you?” “You, O lion,” replied the tiger. “Who is more fierce than a leopard?” asked the lion. “You, sir,” replied the leopard. He marched up to an elephant and asked the same question. The elephant picked him up in his trunk, swung him in the air and threw him down. “Look,” said the lion, “there is no need to get mad just because you don’t know the answer.”
IV. Simple Present Tense
1. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
(i) sends
takes place
contracts
forces
expand
(ii) digs
encloses
dries
hardens
comes
dissolves
swims
(iii) Does
plays
Does
composes
Speaking
Explanation:
Discuss any shrine you have visited or know about and speak 5–6 sentences describing its location, atmosphere, and importance. Then imagine you are giving a live commentary of a sports event or parade. Describe what you see and hear using the simple present and present continuous tenses.
Sample answers (answers may vary):
1. I visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar. It is a beautiful and peaceful place. The temple is surrounded by a large holy pond. Devotees walk quietly and offer prayers. The atmosphere is calm and spiritual. I felt very peaceful and happy there.
2. (i) Sports Commentary
The match begins now. The captain wins the toss and chooses to bat. The bowler runs in and delivers the ball. The batsman hits it hard, and the crowd is cheering loudly. The players are running quickly between the wickets. What an exciting start!
(ii) Parade Commentary
The parade is moving forward proudly. The soldiers are marching in perfect formation. The band is playing patriotic music. The crowd is clapping and waving flags. The brave soldiers are saluting the national flag.
Writing
Explanation:
Write a diary entry in the form of a travelogue. First, imagine visiting Pashupatinath temple and note down what you see, do, and feel in point form. Then, using the given hints, write a short travel description of visit to Agra and the Taj Mahal in proper paragraph form.
Sample answers (answers may vary):
I. Travelogue – Pashupatinath Temple
The temple is crowded with priests, devotees, monkeys and tourists.
People are offering flowers and trying to reach the priest.
A corpse is being cremated near the holy Bagmati river.
I offer flowers and observe the rituals quietly.
The atmosphere is chaotic but deeply religious.
I feel amazed by the strong faith of the people.
II. Travelogue – Visit to Agra
In January 2003, I woke up before dawn and boarded the Shatabdi Express from Delhi at 6:15 a.m. On the train, I met a newly married couple and we talked about Himachal Pradesh. After reaching Agra, I walked through twisted alleys filled with traffic, rickshaws and vendors selling sweets and souvenirs. Soon, I reached the magnificent Taj Mahal. Built entirely of white marble, it looks magical. Its colour changes with light and shadow. The reflection of the Taj in the pond is breathtaking. School children and tourists admire its beauty while guides explain its history. The visit was unforgettable.
Thinking about the Poem
Explanation:
Read the poem carefully and understand its meaning and emotions. Then answer the questions that follow based on your reading of the poem. Support your answers with lines from the poem wherever required.
1. The poet does not express bitter grief. Instead, he feels a deep sense of calm and peace. In the line “I had no human fears,” he suggests that he was so deeply attached to her that he never imagined losing her. Even after her death, his tone is quiet and accepting rather than full of sorrow.
2. The lines that show this are:
“She seemed a thing that could not feel
The touch of earthly years.”
These lines mean that time no longer has any effect on her because she is beyond the changes and sufferings of life.
3. The poet imagines her as a part of nature, not as someone living happily in heaven. This is shown in the lines:
“Rolled round in earth’s diurnal course
With rocks and stones and trees.”
These lines suggest that she has become one with the earth and is now a part of the natural world.
Read and Enjoy
Explanation:
Read the poem carefully and understand its theme and message. Pay attention to the emotions expressed in each stanza.
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