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CBSE Class 9 English Question 19 of 19

Kathmandu — Question 21

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21
Question
Here is your diary entry when you visited Agra. Read the points and try to write a travelogue describing your visit to Agra and the Taj Mahal. You may add more details. January 2003—rise before dawn—take the Shatabdi Express at 6.15 am from Delhi— meet a newly-married couple on train— talk about Himachal Pradesh—get off the train—enter the once-grand city, Agra— twisted alleys—traffic dense—rickshaws, cars, people—vendors selling religious artifacts, plastic toys, spices and sweets—go to the Taj
Answer

A Visit to Agra
It was January 2003.1 woke up before dawn and took the Shatabdi Express at 6.15 a.m. from Delhi bound for Agra. I met a newly married couple who belonged to Himachal Pradesh. We talked with one another and got off the train. I entered the once grand city, Agra. I saw the dense traffic, numerous rickshaw pullers, cars, people and vendors selling religious artifacts, plastic toys, spices and sweets. I went to the Taj Mahal which is one of the seven wonders of the world. It was entirely of white marble and had a magical quality of colour changing with varying of light and shadow. The white marble of Taj Mahal has gemstones of multi coloured engraved in it. The reflection of the Taj Mahal could be seen in the pond. There were many tourists, school children and tourist guides.
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Overview: Kathmandu

Vikram Seth describes visiting Kathmandu, Nepal. He contrasts two temples: Pashupatinath (Hindu — chaotic, bustling with rituals, priests, funeral pyres, and devotees) and Baudhnath/Boudhanath (Buddhist — serene, meditative, with monks and prayer wheels). He wanders through Kathmandu's vibrant streets, buys a flute, and reflects on music as a universal language. He decides to return to Delhi by bus rather than fly, valuing the journey over speed.

Key Points

  • Pashupatinath: Hindu temple — chaotic, bustling with rituals and funeral pyres
  • Baudhnath: Buddhist stupa — serene, calm, meditative atmosphere
  • Striking contrast between the two religious sites
  • Kathmandu streets: vibrant markets, cosmetics, fruit sellers, flute sellers
  • Seth buys a small flute — reflects on music as universal language
  • Decides to travel by bus instead of flying back to Delhi
  • Values the journey over the destination
  • Descriptive, reflective prose style
  • Theme: cultural diversity, music transcends boundaries
  • Theme: the value of experiencing the journey

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Seth contrast Pashupatinath and Baudhnath?
Pashupatinath is chaotic and bustling — priests, devotees, tourists, rituals, funeral pyres, sacred cows, and monkeys. Baudhnath, in contrast, is all serenity — a massive stupa with monks in robes, prayer wheels, and an atmosphere of calm meditation. Together, they represent the diversity of religious experience.
What does the flute symbolise?
The flute symbolises the universal language of music. Seth hears its sound and is calmed by it. Regardless of culture, religion, or nationality, music speaks to everyone — a theme that connects to the poem "No Men Are Foreign."

Common Mistakes

  • Not reading the text carefully before attempting questions.
  • Giving vague answers without specific textual references.
  • Confusing characters, events, or themes from different chapters.
  • Writing too much for short-answer questions (should be 30-40 words).

Scoring Tips

  • For extract-based MCQs: read the passage carefully; eliminate wrong options systematically.
  • For short answers: be concise (30-40 words), use key vocabulary from the text.
  • For long answers: structure with introduction, body, conclusion. Quote from the text.
  • Always identify the chapter/poem name and author when answering.