BUNGA MAHOTSAV
15 OCTOBER 2022 | BUNGAMATI, LALITPUR
This festival celebrates Bungamati, a Newari town with its own unique history, festivals, culture, rituals, art and crafts. In the 2015 earthquake, Bungamati’s core, the Machhendranath temple collapsed, along with several other monuments and old houses. With it, once a bustling heritage settlement's local economy came crashing. The pandemic brought in more setbacks. Visitors dwindled. Spirits dampened. Many craftsmen went out of business and opted for other professions. The town grew quieter and the locals feared that people had forgotten Bungamati, its beauty and its charm.
Parya Sampada through EU-Switch Asia initiative worked together with the community to rebuild and revitalize Bungamati - to serve as an example for other heritage settlements in the Valley. Bunga Mahotsav aims to relaunch Bungamati as a destination for heritage tourism with offerings palatable to people from all walks of life.
FREE entry! There is FREE hourly shuttle service from Jawalakhel to Bungamati and back (10 AM to 7 PM).
See you there.
PERFORMERS
Khaltu Dapha Nangcha Pyakhan Group
10:30 AM 📍Machhindra Bahal
Sinhaḥ Svāṃ
11:00 AM 📍Prathampur Vihar
Kutumba
12:15 PM 📍Machhindra Bahal
Panchamrit
1:30 PM 📍Prathampur Vihar
Word Warriors
2:20 PM 📍Baachhen Falcha
Raithane
2:45 PM 📍Machhindra Bahal
Barta Gandharba
3:40 PM 📍Baachhen Falcha
Kalpakunja
4 PM 📍Prathampur Vihar
Night
5:15PM 📍Machhindra Bahal
Kanta Dab Dab
6:15 PM 📍Prathampur Vihar
EXPERIENCES
GUIDED TOUR
BUNGAMATI HERITAGE WALK
9 AM
Join this 1.5 hour tour around the ancient Newari settlement of Bungamati led by local guides and storytellers. By invitation only.
WOOD CARVING DEMONSTRATION
10 AM - 5 PM 📍Bungamati Multipurpose Training Center
Bungamati is known for its wood carvers. Check out their finest hand work, and try your hand at making your own wooden souvenir to take home.
VIST THE MUSEUM
10 AM - 5 PM 📍Bungamati Museum
A remarkable collection of artifacts used by the ancient settlers of this town. Check out the Parya Sampada stories projection.
MARKET
10 AM - 5 PM 📍Machhindra Bahal
A wide range of handicrafts made by women entrepreneurs from heritage towns around Kathmandu valley. Pop-by to support local products.
TRADITIONAL GAMES
10 AM - 4 PM 📍Machhindra Bahal
Look out for locals playing Chyāpkan, Yakandhālā, Pyān and Tauncha Māku. Pick a team, play a game.
ART EXHIBITION
10 AM - 6 PM 📍Prathampur Vihar
A collection of paintings depicting the town of Bungamati made by the local artists.
PHOTO EXHIBITION
10 AM - 6 PM 📍Prathampur Vihar
Portray of daily life, rituals, festivals, monuments and landscape of Bungamati, captured through beautiful photographs. Get an e-copy of folklores in Parya Sampada corner.
KUMARI BLESSING
12 PM - 3 PM 📍Kumari Chowk , Chohel Nani
Bungamati’s living goddess, Devi Yubika Bajracharya, will grace us with her presence.
CALLIGRAPHY: RANJANĀ LIPI
10 AM - 4 PM 📍Dhoka Pine Falcha
Illustrate your name or a message in Ranjanā lipi, led by Nepal Lipi Guthi and Callijatra.
TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE
10 AM - 5 PM 📍De Pukhu
Making aylā (homemade alcohol) and corn husk products in the traditional way. Watch and learn.
KIDS & FAMILY ACTIVITIES
STORYTELLING
Baakhan Nyane Waa
10:00 AM - 5 PM 📍 Mu Nani
Listen to tales from Bungamati and take part in creative workshops led by Baakhan Nyane Waa.
BODY ART
10:00 AM - 5 PM 📍 Mu Nani
Everyone's favorite! Be a canvas. Choose what you want to have painted on your face or arms or legs.
BOARD GAMES
10:00 AM - 5 PM 📍 Prathampur Vihar
Reconnect with old friends or make new friends by playing fun board games designed by Alchi.
LOCATION
