The atmosphere at the Pashupatinath temple was very noisy, and full of chaos and confusion. Worshippers were battling to get the priest’s attention; some people were pushing and elbowing their way to the front; saffron-clad Westerners were trying to enter the temple but were struggling and fighting with the guards; monkeys were fighting and adding to the overall noise; a corpse was being cremated on the banks of the river Bagmati; washerwomen were at their work, while children were having a bath. In contrast, the Baudhnath stupa on the other hand was “a haven of quietness in the busy streets around”. There was no crowd and hence it was relaxing. The silence helped build the stillness and serenity at the Buddhist shrine.
