In our few days back in Kathmandu Rachel and I regrouped for the next big trip (We are going to India!) We also managed to get to another must-see tourist site called Pashupatinath or Pashupati (like Bouddha or Bouddhanath... depends who you ask). Pashupati is a Hindu temple dedicated to one of the manifestations of Shiva (called Pashupati). This is where many nepali funerals take place in the form of cremation on the banks of the Bagmati river. Although non-hindus can't go into the temple itself, there are many open monuments around the temple and near where the cremations take place out in the open for all to see.
Smoke from the cremations obscures the view of the bridge and temple.
View of several cremations occurring at the same time. There are four or five platforms on the river and they dump the ashes in after several hours of burning.
Family members dip the feet of the deceased into the river before the cremation. They say prayers and sprinkle the body with colors and flowers.
Rachel rests in the shade near a shrine to one god or another.
Just chilling with the Sadhus... the enlightened pose was their idea not mine.
Boys swimming in the Bagmati river near the cremations.
Smoke from the cremations obscures the view of the bridge and temple.
View of several cremations occurring at the same time. There are four or five platforms on the river and they dump the ashes in after several hours of burning.
Family members dip the feet of the deceased into the river before the cremation. They say prayers and sprinkle the body with colors and flowers.
Rachel rests in the shade near a shrine to one god or another.
Just chilling with the Sadhus... the enlightened pose was their idea not mine.
Boys swimming in the Bagmati river near the cremations.
This picture is stark raving amazing. Its like a National Geographic intro picture for an article about the Basmati river's Hindu and cultural history.
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