KHATHMANDU || 9TH CLASS || GLOSSARY, ANTONYMS, SYNONYMS, COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 KHATHMANDU

Glossary:

1.     Pashupathinath: A sacred Hindu temple in Kathmandu, Nepal.

2.     Febrile: Characterized by feverish excitement or agitation.

3.     Devotees: Worshipers or followers of a particular religious belief.

4.     Saffron-clad: Dressed in saffron-colored robes, commonly associated with Hindu monks.

5.     Shivalinga: A representation of the Hindu god Shiva, often in the form of a cylindrical stone.

6.     Kaliyug: In Hinduism, the last and most corrupt of the four ages, characterized by evil and immorality.

7.     Boudhanath stupa: A large Buddhist shrine in Kathmandu, Nepal.

8.     Immigrants: People who have moved to a different country or region for permanent residence.

9.     Felt bags: Bags made from felt, a type of fabric made by compressing fibers together.

10.  Mercenary: Focused on making money or financial gain.

11.  Postcards: Small cards with pictures on one side and space for writing a message on the other, often sent by mail.

12.  Patna: The capital and largest city of the Indian state of Bihar.

13.  Benaras: Also known as Varanasi, a city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, situated on the banks of the Ganges River.

14.  Yamuna: A major river in northern India, a tributary of the Ganges River.

15.  Allahabad: Also known as Prayagraj, a city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, situated at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.

16.  Bansuris: Bamboo flutes, commonly used in Indian classical music.

17.  Reed neh: A type of reed flute.

18.  Shakuhachi: A traditional Japanese bamboo flute.

19.  Hindustani classical music: A traditional music style of North India.

20.  South America: The southern part of the Americas, comprising countries in Central and South America.

21.  Chinese flutes: Traditional flutes from China.

22.  Commonality: The state of sharing common features or characteristics.

Antonyms:

1.     Arrival - Departure

2.     Stillness - Commotion

3.     Quietness - Noisy

4.     Offhanded - Deliberate

5.     Universal - Particular

6.     Stop - Continue

7.     Notice - Ignore

8.     Exhausted - Energetic

9.     Surprises - Expects

Synonyms:

1.     Centre - Core

2.     Sleep - Slumber

3.     Visit - Tour

4.     Worshippers - Devotees

5.     Haven - Sanctuary

6.     Mercenary - Commercial

7.     Nauseating - Sickening

8.     Departure - Exit

9.     Meditatively - Contemplatively

10.  Moved – Touched

Comprehension Questions and Answers:

 1: What are the two temples the author visits in Kathmandu?

Ans: The two temples the author visits in Kathmandu are Pashupathinath (sacred to Hindus) and Boudhanath stupa (a Buddhist shrine).

 2: Describe the atmosphere at Pashupathinath temple.

Ans: At Pashupathinath, there is an atmosphere of "febrile confusion" with priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, cows, monkeys, pigeons, and dogs roaming through the grounds.

 3: Why do some people get elbowed aside at the temple?

Ans: Some people get elbowed aside at the temple because others are pushing their way to the front, trying to get the priest's attention.

 4: Who appears at the main gate of Pashupathinath, and how do people react?

Ans: A princess of the Nepalese royal house appears at the main gate of Pashupathinath, and everyone bows and makes way for her.

 5: What happens between the two monkeys at the temple?

Ans: A fight breaks out between two monkeys, and one chases the other around the temples and down to the holy Bagmati river.

 6: What is the significance of the shrine on the river bank at Pashupathinath?

Ans: The shrine half protruding from the river bank is believed to hold a goddess inside, and when it emerges fully, it is believed that the evil period of the Kaliyug will end on earth.

 7: How does the atmosphere at Boudhanath stupa differ from Pashupathinath?

Ans: The atmosphere at Boudhanath stupa is in contrast to Pashupathinath, with a sense of stillness. There are no crowds, and it is a haven of quietness in the busy streets around.

 8: What kind of shops can be found around Boudhanath stupa?

Ans: Around Boudhanath stupa, there are small shops owned by Tibetan immigrants where one can buy felt bags, Tibetan prints, silver jewelry, and other items.

9. Describe the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu.

Ans: Kathmandu is vivid, mercenary, and religious, with busy streets, small shrines, fruit sellers, flute sellers, postcard hawkers, and shops selling various goods.

 10: How does the flute music affect the author, and what does it symbolize to him?

Ans: The flute music affects the author deeply, evoking a sense of universality and commonality among all mankind. It symbolizes the significance of living breath and the connection between human emotions and music.