Pashupatinath tour: Temples, Hindu religion and cricket

About this recording

Creator

Kristin Post

Date created

October 12, 2000

Duration

12:50

Location

Pashupatinath, Nepal

File

MP3

License

This recording copyright ©2000. Terms of use

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• Search LEARN NC for bulls, crickets, erotic, families, Hinduism, Kali, Nepal, Pashupatinath, rulers, Shiva, symbolism, and worship.

In the classroom

In this recording, Ajit introduces himself, and begins his tour of the various temples and sites in Pashupatinath. He starts with a description of a Hindu temple of Kali, a wife of Shiva. He describes animal sacrifices that were considered necessary to keep Kali happy (including human sacrifice many years ago.) He then describes some of the erotic symbolic stone carvings visible on the temple.

As we walk by a cremation platform,he describes how the rich prefer to be cremated there because it is closer to the temple. He also mentions that they pay a high fee so that they can subsidize the poor, who are unable to pay a cremation fee. He also explains the importance of the river Bagmati and Ganges.

We move on to a hospice for people who are ready to die, similar to hospice services in the United States.

We walk by the caves where some holymen live. You must sacrifice sex and your family to be a true holyman, and there are also fake holymen.

Then we move to the shiva lingum, a symbol of fertility. These are present in temples built by families of ranas, considered to be cruel leaders of Nepal from the past.

As we ascend the stairs to the hilltops that look over the river and temple, we pass the “fake” holymen, who are waiting for tourists to give them money. They typically have white “paint” on their chest and head, and they wrap an orange cloth around their waste. Their hair is usually long and shaggy.

Once we get to the top, we talk about sports and cricket, and a cricket tournament that is currently underway.

Please note: this recording includes references to erotic figures, sex and drug use.

From my journal:

See Pashpati, the giant bull (golden.) Can’t go in. Two boys say “hello,” I ask where the Eye Center is. I ask about some white temples I could see from the hilltop. End up being guided by Ajit, 19 year old who’s been giving tours for 9 years. Went to India by himself when he was 11. There is a wonderful connection between us — and we have a lovely afternoon — sitting on terrace looking at crowds and watching preparation of the dead body.

Transcript

[This is a partial transcript.]

Parvati — second wife of Lord Shiva.

Kali — goddess to drink blood. She is the angry form of Shiva and Parvati. Always has skull necklace around her neck, and carries weapons in her many arms.

Erotics — protects temple from lightning and thunderbolts.

Kshatriyas — in Nepal, not allowed to kill a woman. If she does something bad, she is banished from her city. Kshatriyas are one of the four “varnas” of Hinduism, and considered one of the castes. The word means “protector of the land,” and as the military, or warrier class, they uphold the codes of honor, bravery and loyalty.

Bachri Suri Parvati — Shiva’s wife number two.
Uji Suri Parvati — Shiva’s wife number two- same one but different name

Animal sacrifices made in temples.

Generals and rich people are cremated on one side of the river, on the platform that is near the temple. Next one is reserved for royalty, king’s family.

Ashes of cremated bodies thrown into river flows to Ganges (in India) — and the name is Bagmati. This is a holy, important river, considered the way to heaven. Starts in Bagdwar (“bag” — tiger, “dwar” — gate) near the hills north of Kathmandu. From a hill known as Shivapuri, there is a tiger face carved into the side of the mountain, and the river flows from the mouth of the tiger.

Hermit’s caves — holy people can live there. In Nepal holymen can smoke marijuana and hasish — because it is believed Shiva smoked as well. They are buried in the ground, because they do not have any more reincarnations, and they go directly to heaven. If you are true holyman, you must sacrifice sex and your family. And you have to be a good person, for good karma.

In old temples, shiva lingum are at the center of the temple. They are the combination of two sexual organs. Male and female. Male symbolize fertility, and the female represents creation. Together they are normal reproduction and regeneration.

Temples are built by different families of ranas- cruel prime ministers of Nepal. Ranas did not allow children to become educated, because they feared that an educated class might overthrow their rulers. They were cruel to the people of Nepal, but they had a positive influence in preserving the arts and culture, and renovated many ancient temples in the country. Until 1950 tourists not allowed in Nepal.

Bulls are the vehicle of Lord Shiva — transportation. They are important to the religion.