The meeting of two rivers ...

Rivers are sacred to Hindu people ... especially where 2 rivers meet. Many ceremonies are performed beside rivers ... including cremation on pyres (see Tour of Kathmandu blog entry 17 Aug 2018).

This weekend, I rode my motorcycle to Devghat ... the village where the Kali Gandaki and Trisuli rivers meet to form the Narayani river. It is about 8km from where I live in Bharatpur. These rivers are in full flow at this time of the year since they carry away the monsoon rains. The power of the water rushing past is impressive. You can easily understand how the Hindus (and other cultures) have developed a respectful awe of rivers in full spate.

Anyway ... Devghat is an important cremation site.

There are many temples scattered throughout the village. These are interspersed with normal everyday domesticity ... as can be seen here with the golden roofed temple appearing in the background.

The temple is reached by crossing a narrow metal suspension bridge over the rushing water of the river below. There is barely room for a motorcycle to pass; but that is no obstacle to the local people.



Exploring the village was like taking a lucky dip. I never knew what I would find because I had no idea what the signs said.


There are lots of monkeys around ...

Housing design varies from: 3 arches with no colour coordination ...


... to 2 levels with some colour contrast ...


... and simple box style with one door and a window ...


This one was past its use by date



Several cremations were taking place by the riverside. Here male family members add more wood to feed the pyre.


Nothing remains afterwards ... except some ashes ... and empty plastic drink bottles.