Time seems to rush away as you grow up. A moment you are taking a meditative walk to a temple with offerings for gods, or you are selling newspapers, when you notice a stranger smiling at you.

Maybe you were rushing home with goods for a Jatra, or were taking a languid walk after carrying your child to school. And suddenly you realise, so much water has flowed under the bridge called time. You experience the city everyday, but subtly, imperceptibly, the city has transformed.

And is transforming still. Feeling old, you do seek solace in trivialities around gods. But the weight of age is heavy. Memories are not always sweet.

Still you choose to look at the goodness of life. In this muddy pond of life, you might be a flickering flame, getting ready to vanish. But you’re also making space for  new lights. You’re passing this city to them.

Photos: Raza Shrestha

Text: Bijay K Duwal