bastet (bast) was the most honored feline deity in ancient egypt. the cult of bastet started around the town of bubastis, located in the eastern delta in lower egypt (around 3,200 b.c.), and was an important town from the old kingdom through the late period. during early egyptian times the city was called per-bast which translates into “the domain of bast”. later the city was called bubastis and is today known as tell basta. bastet was worshipped throughout other regions of the egyptian region as well. bast was worshipped in memphis (during the old kingdom), where she was associated with sekhmet; in heliopolis (during the old kingdom) where she was called the “daughter of tem” (connected to tefnut); in a city called “hill of bast” in the precinct of mut in thebes (during the new kingdom) and in the city of nit during the late period. festivals celebrating bastet were held in the cities of bubastis, memphis, thebes (luxor) and esna.