Nepal: The Land of the Gods

Puppets of Nepal, Kathmandu

My grandfather and I were outside our quiet home in Kerala and guess what? Dad told us our tickets to Nepal were booked! A short trip, he told us, but we were ecstatic : Grandfather even started counting down the days on the kitchen calendar.

Just stepping out of the airport and seeing Nepal's chaotic beauty was breathtaking. The landscapes, the markets, the houses, it all just blended together so beautifully. Grandfather felt around in his pocket for his old camera and pointed it at me and my siblings. The photo was shaky, but no one could mistake the huge grins of four children, with Nepal in the background that is much more than its snow-capped Himalayan Peaks.

The Pashupatinath Temple, one of the oldest temples of Lord Shiva, lies on the banks of the river Bagmati. Visiting the Pashupatinath Temple on our first day was such a spiritual experience, among the throngs of devotees that wanted to pay their respects to the Mahadev — the priests pressed the cool metal of the Shiv Tilak on our foreheads to mark it with holy ash. Definitely a moment I will never forget. We spent the rest of our day in Nepal’s capital city of Kathmandu, a cacophony of cars honking and vendors chattering. Well, despite the chaos, the city's vibrant energy was infectious. The hidden temples we stumbled upon, and the Tibetan prayer flags fluttering in the breeze ­— Kathmandu was a feast for the senses. It was like every corner held a new surprise, a new burst of color and culture.

Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu

On the second day, my family excitedly weaved our way up a hill to get to the Swayambhunath Stupa in Kathmandu Valley, west of the city. A beautiful white dome with a gold spire neck, surrounded by prayer flags welcomed us at the peak. I will never forget the sense of peace and spirituality that washed over me in that moment.  A local lore surrounds the lake at the bottom of the hill: toss a coin at the feet of the idol of Buddha and your wish will be granted. And? Only Grandfather seemed to have any luck that day with his aim.

Swayambhunath Stupa, Kathmandu

Even on our last day, Kathmandu continued to enchant us with its stories, especially when we visited Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's incredible how the square is a reflection of Nepal's rich history and culture, with its palace complexes and courtyards. In more recent times, pivotal scenes from the 2016 Marvel Studio production Doctor Strange were shot at the very heart of this Square. One of the most prominent structures is the Kumari Gaur. The residence of the living goddess, Kumari, who is a young girl said to be a version of the Goddess Durga. We were lucky enough to be able to catch a glimpse of the Kumari herself and seek her blessings.

On our way back, Grandfather settled down in the seat next to mine and flipped through our journey through his camera. Even though our stay was short, the memories we made were forever.