Bungamati is a classic Newari village dating from the 16th century. It is perched on a spur of land over looking the Baginati River.10km from Kathmandu & and is shaded by large trees, and stands of bamboo. Bungamati is the birthplace of Rato Machhendranath , the patron god of the valley,who resides in the large shikhara-styie Rato Madihendranath Temple in the centre of thevillage square for six months of the year (he spends the rest of his time in Patan). The process of moving him around Patan and backwards and forwards to Bunganiati is central to one of the most important annual festivals in the valley ,to get to the temple from the bus stop at the edge of the town, follow the signs for the Newarl Cultural Museum, worth a quick visit for its displays of local traditional life style, and take a right at the Ganesh shrine. The chowk around the temple is one of the most beautiful In the valley — here one can see the still-beating heart of a functioning Newari town. There are many chaityas and a huge prayer wheel, dearly pointing to the capacity of Newari religion to weld together elements from different religious traditions.