False Start and Touring the City

 One of our guides had been told that there was to be a water ceremony this morning at sunrise so we had planned an early start so we could attend.  However, it turned out to be a false start with the ceremony taking place the next day.  We all were still in jet lag mode so it didn’t make a lot of difference what time we got up!

Our first stop this morning was Bhaktapur Durbar Square.  Durbar generally means palace, so this square once was the residence of the Kings of Nepal.  Earthquakes over the years have caused much damage to the temple complex but there’s been restoration projects to reverse some of it.  Because we arrived early we got to see people praying at the various shrines scattered throughout the complex.  Incense is prominently used as well has paint to adorn the worshipper’s head.  The people are very friendly and willing to have the photos taken although they won’t turn down a ‘donation’ if offered.  We ate breakfast at the Shiva Guest House restaurant .  They served a delicious fruit and musli yogurt along with other breakfast offerings.

After breakfast we visited a pottery area where a very old man was throwing pots and demonstrating his craft.  Next we went to a store for a singing bowl demonstration.  Singing bowls are made of metal and are played using some type of mallet.  They claim to be able to heal a person’s ills.  David tried it, standing in a giant bowl while a smaller one was played over areas that troubled him.  

We returned to the Boudhanath Stupa which was right down the road from our hotel for lunch at Nani’s kitchen.  This rooftop restaurant afforded views of the giant Stupa while we enjoyed native food.  After lunch we walked back to our hotel for a short afternoon break.

Our final visit for the day was the Pashupatinath Temple on the banks of a river.  Hindus believe in cremation and this is one of the sites where people are brought to be cremated.  The family gathers to prepare the body for the cremation, wrapping them in white then traditional dress before placing them on the pyre for burning.  We also had the chance to photograph the holy men, Hindu Sadhus.  They were quite willing to pose for us as we took the opportunity to take portraits.

We returned to our hotel.  Some of us went to the Roadhouse Restaurant by the Boudha Stupa for some pretty delicious pasta.  This restaurant is situated on the top floor of a hotel so we again had wonderful views of the stupa, this time all lit up with evening lights.  We were all ready to go to bed after a wonderful meal.

Tomorrow: Chhat Festival