“One of the best experiences of my life – I’ll never forget it!”
If you’ve been near the Edward Anwyl building at the University recently you may have seen students and staff in rather attractive yak wool shawls. The chances are that these are veterans of the Religious Studies’ trip to Nepal. For several years the RS Programme has organised trips to India but this was the first time a party had headed into the Himalayas. In total, 16 staff, students and associates took part.
Led by Nick Swann (Senior Lecturer Religious Studies), the trip was based principally in Kathmandu, with excursions to important Hindu and Buddhist sites around the valley. These included the busy and intense temple at Pashupati – one of the most important sites in the Hindu world, and the Buddhist-Hindu complex at Swayambhu – known popularly, and with good reason, as the ‘Monkey Temple’.
“I didn’t think it could get any better, but every day there was a new high point.”
One highlight was staying in Boudha, the Tibetan Quarter of Kathmandu. A little away from the tourist centre, group members had the opportunity to make leisurely visits to the many Buddhist monasteries in the area or to join with the thousands of Tibetans circling the stupa in the morning and evening.
We also took the chance to visit Nagarkot. High on the edge of the valley, this spot gives awesome views of the high Himalayas. Many did the four-hour trek up to Nagarkot, passing local villages and taking in the beautiful views of the valleys beyond Kathmandu.
It wasn’t all plain sailing; most participants went down with the usual ‘stomach problems’, but these were, by and large, short-lived affairs. The only mementos of the trip now are good memories, thousands of photos and almost as many pashmina shawls. It is hoped that we can repeat the trip, perhaps spending more than one night in the city of Bhaktapur (stunning UNESCO site), and perhaps not ordering the chicken at certain restaurants...
Take a look at some of our favourite photos , taken by our students and tutors, by clicking on the images below.