In his extract from Heaven Lake, a travelogue, Vikram Seth recounts his visit to two sacred places in Kathmandu. They are :

Question

Accepted Answer

In Vikram Seth's extract from *Heaven Lake*, he recounts his visit to Kathmandu and specifically mentions visiting two sacred places: Pashupatinath and Baudhnath.

*   **Why Option 2 (Pashupatinath and Baudhnath) is correct:** The text explicitly describes Seth's experiences and observations at both Pashupatinath, a significant Hindu temple, and Baudhnath, a large Buddhist stupa. He details the atmosphere, rituals, and the people he encountered at these locations, making them central to his narrative of Kathmandu.

*   **Why Option 1 (Sarnath and Sanchi) is incorrect:** Sarnath and Sanchi are important Buddhist sites, but they are located in India, not Kathmandu, Nepal. Vikram Seth's extract focuses on his experiences *in Kathmandu*.

*   **Why Option 3 (Swayambhunath and Kopan) is incorrect:** While Swayambhunath is a significant Buddhist stupa in Kathmandu and a possible contender, Kopan Monastery, while also in the Kathmandu Valley, is not as prominently featured in the extract from *Heaven Lake* as Baudhnath is. The text emphasizes Pashupatinath and Baudhnath.

*   **Why Option 4 (Nagarkot and Narayanhiti) is incorrect:** Nagarkot is known for its views of the Himalayas, and Narayanhiti was the former royal palace. While they are places of interest in Nepal, they are not the two *sacred* places that Vikram Seth specifically recounts visiting in his extract from *Heaven Lake*. The extract focuses on religious sites, and neither Nagarkot nor Narayanhiti fit that description as prominently as Pashupatinath and Baudhnath.