Chat with us1 Day Khokana - Bungmati Tour | To The Inner Soul Of Newari Towns · Nepal Recreation
1 Day Khokana – Bungmati Tour
1D
Duration
1 days
Trip Highlight
Explore the inner soul of the ancient Newari town.
Disappear from the stuffed Kathmandu city.
Enjoy local food, culture, and arts.
Observe the intact lifestyle of these towns.
Savor the mesmerizing view of the Kathmandu valley with surrounding hills.
Trip overview
1 Day Khokana Bungmati Tour will take you to the inner soul of these Newari towns. Khokana and Bungmati are just 10 kilometers away from the thronged Kathmandu city.
The rural-traditional vibe won’t let you believe that these towns are part of Kathmandu valley. It is also a cycling destination that offers you freshness away from ever-bustling Kathmandu city. Khokana is a small Newari settlement that resides in the southern part of Kathmandu valley.
It shares a long history of settlement from the Lichchhavi period itself. Being a part of Kathmandu valley, it is still trying to make its way to the modern civilization of the valley. Bungmati is another beautiful Newari village, that is also home to the powerful God of the valley, Macchindranath.
Machhindranath is the god of rain and compassion. Both Hindu and Buddhist worship the Machhindranath equally. According to popular belief, he was the one who introduced rice plantations in the region.
Walking through only pedestrian-streets around these towns gives you an eccentric feeling. The metal and woodwork around the temple/houses make you realize the richness of these villages. Most of these dates back to the 16th century.
Shikali Mai Temple is another famous temple in Khokana. This place is popular for the agricultural activities it possesses. You will see women spinning wools, tailoring, weaving hats, and many more.
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel during the late mornings. This place is about 10 km away from Kathmandu so it won’t take much time to reach there. The roads are usually jammed during this time creating pollution.
But the beautiful scenarios of houses, hills, fields will make up for it. Passing through various towns and small villages you reach Bungmati. This is a small settlement of Newari people. Exploring this village you head towards Khokana next.
These places are beautiful Newari villages that are a popular cycling destination. You get an opportunity to experience the wonderful culture and tradition of the Newari people. The peacefulness and freshness will clear your mind from all the stress.
After roaming around the area and experiencing many new things, you must feel exhausted. So, you now drive back to Kathmandu.
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Private transportation (car, van, or mini-bus depending on group size)
English-speaking professional guide
Mineral/bottled water during the tour
Entrance fees to Bungmati & Khokana heritage sites
Nepali set lunch at a local restaurant
What's not included
Personal expenses such as snacks, souvenirs, or extra drinks
Tips or gratuities for guide and driver
Travel insurance or emergency evacuation costs
Alcoholic beverages or soft drinks not included in the meal
Any additional costs due to unforeseen circumstances (road closures, strikes, etc.)
Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Dates & Prices
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Useful information
Major attractions of Khokana
Khokana is most popular for the rich production of mustard oil from the ancient period. It was the first town in Nepal to have electricity during the Rana regime. This town also has been nominated to be on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Rudrayani/ Shekala Mai Temple
It is the beautiful three-storeyed temple in the center of Chwe Lachi square. People here believe Goddess Rudrayani is present here in another form of Goddess Durga. The lattice-work in the second storeyed of this temple is a remarkable work of art and talent.
Can you believe it standing here straight from 1513 AD? It has been here since the time of ruler Amar Malla. There is a popular Jatra during the first seven days of the Dashain festival known as Rudrayani Jatra. The original people of Khokana do not celebrate the Dashain festival and celebrate their native Sikhali Jatra.
De Pukhu
This rectangular pond is in the middle of Chwe Lachi square. Goat is sacrificed by drowning it in the De Pukhu pond during Rudrayani Jatra. After the death, young men fight for the dead goat and the winning group performs the drama ‘Kha Pyakha’.
This festival of Khokana faced a lot of criticism for animal brutality and sacrifice. In ancient times the pond used to be the source of water for this area but nowadays the pond dries up during the summer season.
The English translation of De Pukhu is ‘God Pond’. During the festival times, the pond is filled with tankers. The Rudrayani temple was 6 storeyed but due to an earlier earthquake, it is in the present form.
Jitapur Mandap
It is simply a public rest house commonly known as ‘Gaa-cha’ in the local language. Through this mandap, you observe the various religious and cultural performances of this place. This mandap is also important because during Rudrayani Jatra the ‘Khat’ is rested over here.
Sikhali/Sikhli Temple
This winsome temple is 30 minutes’ walk away from Rudrayani temple. Sikhali temple has a relation with Sikhi Buddha. According to popular belief, Sikhi Buddha came here and shared the knowledge with locals.
Jatras
Khokana is popular for its varieties of Jatras. Sikhali Jatra occurs twice a year and it is for Rudrayani Goddess. Once in Gaijatra and others in the Dashain festival. Bhimsen Puja is another popular event that occurs on the second day of Baishak. Auditing the accounts and worshipping Bhimsen for good luck is the main motive of this festival.
There are other ponds than De Pukhu and they are Kha Pukhu, Kutu Pukhu, Samal Pukhu, and a few more.
Major attractions of Bungmati
Bungmati, also Bungamati, is a hometown of God Machhindranath. This place has a history connected to the Lichchavi regime.
Machindranath Temple
One major attraction of Bungmati is the temple of Machindranath. This place and temple have various historical, mythological and contemporary beliefs with water. Machhindranath is the god of rainfall that brings good crops and prosperity. Another important issue is the living goddess, Kumari. People remember three Kumaris of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur. Most people forget that Bungmati also has one Kumari.
Manakamana/ Aju-Aji Bhairav Temple
Original Manakamana is here at Bungmati but people consider Manakamana of the Gorkha district to be original. The upper part of the Goddess is in Bungmati and the lower part; below the navel is in Gorkhas’ Manakamana.
During Navami, Dashami and Ekadashi of Dashain Bungmati celebrate the Manakamana festival. And in this period they close the Manakamana temple of Gorkha and send devotees to Bungmati.
Hayangriva Bhairav Temple
It is the chief Bhairav among all in Kathmandu valley. Hayagriva Bhairav is the ancestor and protector of Bungmati.
Shristikanta Lokeshvara Temple
Bungmati is also the provenance of Shristikanta Lokeshvara. Shristikanta Lokeshvara created this overall living thing in the world. There is plenty of evidence that shows that Bungmati was one of the first settlements of Kathmandu valley.
