Kathmandu Day 2: Pashupatinath Temple

Today was our first full day in Kathmandu, tomorrow we Head to Lukla to start our trek to Everest Base Camp!

We started our day at Hotel Marshyangdi where we met our guide/sherpa for the trek. After all the questions were asked, and i mean all, we left as a group to visit some local sites of importance:

• Pashupatinath Temple & Bagmati River

• Boudhanath Stupa

First up is the Bagmati river/pashupatinath temple… i don’t think any of us knew exactly what we were about to see when coming here, we were told this was the most holy site, and the holiEst river… immediately upon coming into view of the river, smoke fills both your vision and nose. This site is used for open air cremation on the banks of the river (which is very polluted.) According to the Nepalese Hindu tradition, the dead body must be dipped three times into the Bagmati river before cremation, so that the reincarnation cycle may be ended. When all rituals are completed the body is placed on a wooden pyre and burned by a family member (which, depends on the relation of the deceased) when the cremation is complete the ashes are thrown back into the river. There were many holy men surrounding this area and family’s in mourning. Although sobering, this was a culturally edifying experience that i'll definitely think back on… and not just when i’m blowing the recently deceased out of my nose tonight…😅

<insert bus ride that uses a human smacking the side as a back up alarm>

Off to Boudhanath Stupa! To be continued…