NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 8 Kathmandu

This worksheet provides complete and accurate NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 8 Kathmandu from the Beehive textbook. The chapter is an extract from Vikram Seth’s travelogue Heaven Lake, where he describes his visit to two sacred places in Kathmandu – Pashupatinath Temple and Baudhnath Stupa. Through vivid descriptions, the author presents the contrast between chaos and calm, devotion and commercial life, and the cultural richness of Nepal.

This worksheet helps students understand the themes, characters, atmosphere, and literary expressions used in the chapter. It follows the NCERT pattern strictly and provides structured answers to all textbook questions. These NCERT Solutions are designed to help students build clarity, improve writing skills, and prepare confidently for exams.

Chapter summary: stories, poems & themes

In NCERT Chapter Kathmandu, Vikram Seth narrates his visit to two famous shrines in Kathmandu. At Pashupatinath Temple, he observes a chaotic and crowded atmosphere filled with priests, devotees, monkeys, and tourists. In contrast, at the Baudhnath Stupa, he experiences peace and stillness.

The chapter highlights themes of faith, culture, spirituality, and the contrast between noise and silence. The author also reflects on the universal appeal of flute music and how it connects humanity across cultures.

The worksheet also includes a poem titled A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal by William Wordsworth. The poem reflects on death, peace, and becoming one with nature. Students explore the poet’s calm acceptance and understanding of loss.

Some sections in the worksheet, such as Speaking and Writing activities, are student-generated activities where responses may vary.

What this NCERT chapter covers?

• Understanding a travelogue and descriptive writing  
• Comparison of contrasting atmospheres  
• Vocabulary development and literary expressions  
• Interpretation of poetic themes and emotions  
• Grammar concepts such as phrasal verbs, suffixes, punctuation, and simple present tense  
• Speaking and writing skills through activity-based learning  

How to use these NCERT solutions?

Students should first read the chapter carefully and attempt all questions on their own. After completing their answers, they can refer to these NCERT Solutions to check accuracy and improve presentation.

Parents and teachers can use this worksheet to guide students in understanding the chapter deeply. The answers follow the exact NCERT order and structure, which helps in systematic revision.

By comparing their responses with these solutions, students can identify mistakes, improve clarity, and prepare effectively for assessments.

Student tips & learning tricks

• Focus on understanding the contrast between Pashupatinath and Baudhnath.  
• Quote key phrases from the chapter where required.  
• While answering long questions, write clearly within the word limit.  
• In grammar sections, carefully observe verb forms and suffix spellings.  
• For poem-based questions, support answers with lines from the poem.  

Why NCERT solutions are important?

NCERT Solutions are essential because school exams and assessments are based strictly on NCERT textbooks. Clear understanding of NCERT Chapter Kathmandu strengthens foundational learning and improves comprehension skills.

These solutions help students write structured answers, gain confidence, and prepare effectively for class tests and final examinations. They ensure that learning remains aligned with NCERT standards.

Complete answer key – NCERT solutions

Thinking about the Text

On the following map mark out the route, which the author thought of but did not take, to Delhi.

Hint: Kathmandu to Delhi Route (planned but not taken).

Find out the possible routes (by rail, road or air) from Kathmandu to New Delhi/Mumbai/Kolkata/Chennai.

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. Match the phrasal verbs.

i – d  
ii – a  
iii – f  
iv – e  
v – b  
vi – c  

II. Use the suffixes -ion or -tion to form nouns.

cremation  
invention  
direction  
dislocation  
action  
meditation  
association  
temptation  
exhaustion  
imagination  
dedication  
immigration  

Fill in the blanks.

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.

(i) sends  
takes place  
contracts  
forces  
expand  

(ii) digs  
encloses  
dries  
hardens  
comes  
dissolves  
swims  

(iii) Does  
plays  
Does  
composes  

Speaking

1. student-generated activity  

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

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

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. “She seemed a thing that could not feel  
The touch of earthly years.”

3. “Rolled round in earth’s diurnal course  
With rocks and stones and trees.”

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