Bungamati Community Homestay - An overlooked hub of Newari Culture

Bungamati is south of Patan and central Kathmandu, and while it’s not quite as urban as those other areas, it’s not exactly rural, either. Visitors can expect a small-town vibe, with homes and other buildings close together, fostering a close-knit feeling among the locals. 

Accommodation at the Bungamati Community Homestay can either be in individual homes near the centre of town (ideal for solo travellers, couples, or small groups of family and friends), or at lodging connected to the Tri Ratna School. This latter option is ideal for larger groups travelling together, as there are eight rooms that can sleep 16. Some of these have attached bathrooms, while others are shared.

Homestay accommodation comes with many modern comforts, including Western-style toilets, fans, heating (for the winter), hot showers, and towels. Many come with terraces where you can sit out and enjoy the view or the cool morning and evening air. Most rooms come with views overlooking the peaceful streets, where you can observe local life.

ABOUT THE LOCATION

Bungamati is conveniently located a short drive south of Kathmandu, so it’s accessible from the city but also feels like a different place with its own rhythms and way of life. There’s a lot to explore in and around Bungamati, but if you want or need to travel into Patan or Kathmandu, it’s ideally located so that this is possible.

Bungamati is central to one of the most important festivals in the Kathmandu Valley: the Rato Macchendranath Festival that’s held every year in April/May in Patan. Bungamati is considered to be the home of the god himself, Rato Macchendranath, whom the festival is dedicated to, and the statue of the god spends most of the year at Bungamati, in a small temple. During the festival, he is taken to Patan and carried around the streets in an enormous chariot, before being returned to Bungamati. If your visit coincides with this festival, be sure to check it out.

Other activities to enjoy in Bungamati revolve around the town’s strong artistic traditions. In the wake of the 2015 earthquake, Bungamati’s traditional wood carving has been boosted, as carving skills are required to restore beautiful old buildings and structures.

The homestays in Bungamati are located near the local school, and visitors with experience or interest in teaching can volunteer their time to help the local kids.

Climate and Weather

Like the rest of the Kathmandu Valley, Bungamati experiences a hot and wet summer/monsoon season (June-September), cool but short winters (December-January), pleasant and generally clear autumns (October-November), and a hot and humid spring (March-May). Spring and autumn are peak tourism seasons in Nepal, although Bungamati is good year-round.

Best time to Visit

The end of the Rato Macchendranath festival (dates vary each year, but the end is normally in late May) is a good time to visit Bungamati, as the Rato Macchendranath idol is returned to his home in the small temple in town. Another good time to visit is after the monsoon (late September-October), as the fields around the village are an attractive vibrant green.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Bungamati: An Overlooked Hub of Newari Culture  by Inside Himalayas

Yomari: A Newari Food for the Gods by Inside Himalayas