Traveling to Nepal usually begins in Kathmandu. The three days in the city brought us things worth seeing, exciting things and, on the last evening, very moving things.With all the hustle and bustle that starts very early in the morning and ends late at night, for me it is the mixture of different nationalities, cultures and religions that spread across the whole country. Officially, Nepal is a Hindu country – around 80% of the Nepalese profess Hinduism. 10% are Buddhists, 4% are Muslims and the rest is made up of Christians, Jains and followers of indigenous religions.
In the end, all large and megacities act like magnets. They attract people for all sorts of reasons. One thing is certain: if you want to live here, you have to make a living. Metropolises are almost predestined for this. A high population density allows shops, restaurants and trade of all kinds to develop. Tourism and mountaineering in the world-famous Himalayas is an additional and not inconsiderable source of income. Because here are 8 of the world’s 14 mountains that rise above the 8000 meter mark. However, we are not here for mountaineering. We take a photo journey through this country and start in Kathmandu, at 1400m. We will drive up to 3500m with our jeeps. Everything beyond that can only be done on foot or has to be flown in by helicopter.
Here we are on the banks of the Bagmati River at kathmandu. The sacred Bagmati River has another special meaning in Hinduism besides many temples on its banks. It is the place for cremation of the dead similar to the Ganges in Varanasi in India. Before the actual ceremony begins, relatives and people who wish to witness the ritual gather.
Since it is public, we were able to watch the moving events from the opposite bank. Around the Pashupatinath Temple, the relatives and also people who have no loss to mourn here today come together. Priests celebrate this ceremony according to traditional ancient rituals. Small burning vessels are set up everywhere, from which smoke rises. intermittently I perceive the ringing of bells. Ritualistic Hindu sounds emanate from some loudspeakers and mix with the chants of the bystanders
The deceased are laid out in designated spots on the plateau, where they are finally cremated and their ashes given to the river. The Bagmati River is sacred and is said to wash away sins from one’s feet. We spend a few hours here. Everything seems as unbelievable as it is beguiling. For me it is a very moving and emotional experience. Quiet and thoughtful we leave this ceremony at a late hour.