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Khatmand,
the capital or Nepal, the repository of Nepalese culture and rallying point of
every facet of its own distinct life both ancient and modern reflects the
tremendous impact of Hinduism and the
astounding capacity of assimilation of the cultures,
however divergent or distinct they may be in content or spirit. As it is the
principal city, pulsating with cultural, commercial, political and spiritual
life in its multifarious facets, it stands as a replica of its past glory and
present progress. Of the superb structures, the temples, the important land
marks top the list and strike the eye first and fill the souls next with
scantity by their gigantic shapes, artistic adornments, and hoary traditions.
They incidentally mirror the Nepalese religio-social life and the spectacular
achievements made over years, taking nourishment from its parent Hindu
religion. The very names of shrines, like
Swayambhunath, Bodhnath; Pasupathinath etc., or the names of presiding deities
make the hearer feel that they are moving about in a big Indian pilgrim city
studded with shrines, dedicated to several gods of the Hindu
Pantheon, in spite of the fact of seeing huge Bouddha stupas and Chaityas at many
places. Does this not register the inestimable influence Hinduism has on
Napalese life'? They are Hindus first and last, in spite and character, despite
living away from Hindu India.
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