Bungamati or Bunga: called by Newah: people
in Newa: (Nepal Bhasa) language. It is formally known as Amarapur. the name is derived either
after the village founded at the spot where Bhairav howled “bu” (birthplace), or from the word
“Bungaa:” meaning “watering place” or “spring” like the explanation of the name of the village
and several residents in Bungamati offer the second derivation. Bungamati is a classic Newa:
vilage dating from the 6th centery. It is a historical place. Many students of history, sociology
and anthropology can get the many facts from this small village. It revils the ancient livestyles,
their socail and cultural activities.
The first mention of Kailashkut Bhavan stone inscription was found in Bungamati. Which was incripted by Amshuvarma in sambat 29 or 605 AD. The stele further shows that Bungamati had already been a famous village for agriculture, licestock and fishhing. There are 5 ponds in surround of only 1 km square. In Lichhavi period Bungamati was known as Bugayami and it changed to Bungapattan in Malla period. It is rested on a spur or land overlooking the Bagmati river in west and Nakhu in east.
Bungamati is the place of Rato Macchindranath, regarded as the patron of the valley and the large Rato Macchindranath, shikhar-style temple in the center of the village square is his home for six months of the year(he spends the rest of his time in patan). The process of moving him around patan and backward and forward to Bungamati Central to one of the most important annual festivals in the valley.
The chowk around the temple is one of the most beautiful in the valley-here one can see the heart of a functioning Newa: town. In Bungamati the Karya Binayak temple is also one of the most important temples in Nepal, is dedicated to Ganesh, the view is spectacular from the Karya Binayak, surrounding by trees and large bamboos and can look at the Bagmati valley to the foothills.
The another important part of historical importance in Bungamati is the living goddess KUMARI. generally people only know there are only three kumaries as kathmandu, patan and bhaktapur but in patan near its area there is also a living goddess kumari in lalitpur bungamati where the god rato machhindra nath and karyabinayak (ganesh) temples are located as having their own importance.
