During the Licchavi Kingdom, the town was called Bugayumigrama. The word 'Bugayumi' is a Kiratian dialect so it is the proof that the settlement had come into existence since Kirati period before the Christian Era. During the Malla period, it was called Bungapattan. Bungamati is also called Amarapur or Amaravatipur. The original settlement of Bungamati was located uphills around the recent 'Chunikhel' area; recent 'Bungamati' being the place of cremation surrounded by huge forest, the original place is still called 'Bugal'. It is said that when Red Machhindranath was brought into the valley then the settlement was shifted to present location of Bungamati after the temple of Red Machhindranath was constructed.
Temples/ Monasteries
Bungamati is the hometown of the deity Machhindranath, regarded as the patron of the valley and his large shikhara-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 back and forth between Patan and Bungamati is one of the most important annual festivals in the valley. The Karya Binayak Temple, one of the most important temples in Nepal, is dedicated to Ganesha. The view is spectacular from the temple, which is surrounded by trees and large bamboo and overlooks the Bagmati valley to the foothills.
Machhindranath Temple
The central ritual focus of Bungamati is the Temple of Machhindranath. To the villagers, Machhindranath is known by the name “Bungadeya”; the name is derived either after the village founded at the spot where Bhairav howled “bu” 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. Bungadeya has many important mythological, historical and contemporary ritual associations with water. Bungadeya being a primordial rain god, who was later identified with the benevolent Aryavalokiteshvara. Machhindranath is also known by the name of “Karunamaya” meaning an embodiment of love and kindness like a mother figure. While Bungamati Newa peoplerefer to Machhindranath as Bungadeya, Newas from other parts of the valley use the name Karunamaya to refer to Machhindranath. The god of Bungamati and Patan is also identified as Raktapadmapani Lokeshvara and Aryavalokiteshvara. Another important part of historical importance in Bungamati is the living goddess, Kumari. Generally, people only know three Kumaris, but there is also one in Bungamati.
Hayangriva Bhairab Temple
Hayangriva is chief Bhairav among all the ancient Bhairavs of Kathmandu Valley. The protector and ancestor god of Bungamati is Hayangriva Bhairav.
Bungamati is also homeabode of Goddess Manakamana. People believe that Manakamana is in Gorkha district, but the fact is the original Manakamana is in Bungamati. It is said that upper part of the body of Goddess above navel is in Bungamati and lower part of the body below navel is in Gorkha. Bungamati observes Manakamana Jatra as the main festival of Bungamati which usually occurs in the month of October during Navami, Dashami and Ekadashami of Dashain festival. During those three days the temple at Gorkha is shut down and the priest sends the devotees to Bungamati
Shristikanta Lokeshvara Temple
Bungamati is the birthplace of Shristikanta Lokeshvara, the god attributed to the creation of overall living entities of the world. There is ample of evidences that shows Bungamati as the foremost settlement of Kathmandu Valley, and one of the reason is it is the home abode of Shristikanta Lokeshvara who created existence of Nepa Valley.
After the April 2015 Nepal earthquake, the city saw a massive destruction as most of its houses were made up of traditional mud and brick elements. Almost three years after the earthquake residents in Bungamati have yet to see any restoration work. Both residential homes and historic monuments remain in ruins. Faced with a winter of little shelter residents moved back into damaged buildings.
