Bungamati Attractions
Bungamati
The idyllic small Newari town of Bungamati lies 10 km (61/4 mi.) south of Kathmandu.
The founding of Bungamati is the subject of an interesting legend. There was once a drought in the Kathmandu Valley which lasted for so long that it threatened to destroy everything. Eventually the King of Bhadgaon (Bhaktapur), the sage Bandhudutt from Kathmandu and the snake king Kartotak set off for Assam to request help from Matsyendranath, the god of rain. Using a powerful mantra they turned him into a bee and carried him back to the Valley in a golden urn. En route they were assailed by demons intent on robbing them of the urn, whereupon the wise Bandhudutt summoned aid from the four mighty Bhairavas, who guaranteed them protection on their way. As the little caravan rested beside the River Nakhu, 6 km (33/4 mi.) south of Patan, a Bhairava approached them and uttered the word "bu", which in Nepalese means, roughly, "birthplace". So the King had the town of Bungamati built there, which is still famous for its Matsyendranath shrine.
The idyllic small Newari town of Bungamati lies 10 km (61/4 mi.) south of Kathmandu.
The founding of Bungamati is the subject of an interesting legend. There was once a drought in the Kathmandu Valley which lasted for so long that it threatened to destroy everything. Eventually the King of Bhadgaon (Bhaktapur), the sage Bandhudutt from Kathmandu and the snake king Kartotak set off for Assam to request help from Matsyendranath, the god of rain. Using a powerful mantra they turned him into a bee and carried him back to the Valley in a golden urn. En route they were assailed by demons intent on robbing them of the urn, whereupon the wise Bandhudutt summoned aid from the four mighty Bhairavas, who guaranteed them protection on their way. As the little caravan rested beside the River Nakhu, 6 km (33/4 mi.) south of Patan, a Bhairava approached them and uttered the word "bu", which in Nepalese means, roughly, "birthplace". So the King had the town of Bungamati built there, which is still famous for its Matsyendranath shrine.
Read MoreBungamati Surroundings
Karya Vinayaka Shrine
The Karya Vinayak Temple stands on a tree-covered hill between Bungamati and Khokana. The shrine is dedicated to Ganesh, whose image is a block of undressed stone. There are splendid views of Bungamati and the Bagmati Valley with its backcloth of mountains.
Kohkana, Nepal
North of Bungamati lies the little Newari village of Khokana. Most of Khokana's daily life, from spinning to massage with mustard oil, takes place in the open air. The unusually wide main street was built in the aftermath of the 1934 earthquake. Khokana is renowned for its edible oil, produced by an interesting process in which the mustard seeds are pressed using heavy wooden beams.
The village is dominated by its large three-storied temple dedicated to Shikali Mai, the local mother goddess. North-east of the village there is another temple similarly dedicated, used particularly in times of epidemic.
The village is dominated by its large three-storied temple dedicated to Shikali Mai, the local mother goddess. North-east of the village there is another temple similarly dedicated, used particularly in times of epidemic.
