Changu Narayan Temple

Changu Narayan Temple is an ancient Hindu temple mainly dedicated to Lord Vishnu located on a high hilltop in Changunarayan VDC in Bhaktapur district of Nepal. The temple is considered as the oldest temple in the history of Nepal which is located about 12 kilometers away from Kathmandu valley and surrounded by champak tree forest and Changu village. On the main way to temple courtyard, we can find a human settlement with medium and small sized hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, etc. An ancient stone tap which is believed to have existed since the Lichhavi Period, which is located on the way to Changunarayan.

Two-storeyed traditional temple standing on the high plinth of stone is built in architectural style with rich artistic works. The temple is surrounded by arts and sculpture of Lord Vishnu and there are also temples of Lord Shiva, Ashta Matrika, Chinnamasta, Kileshwor and Krishna inside the courtyard of the main temple. There are four entrances to the temple and these gates are guarded by life-size pairs of animals such as lions, sarabhas, griffins and elephants on each side of the entrances. On the main entrance gate, we can find the Chakra, Sankha, Kamal, and Khadga all at the top of a stone pillar having an inscription in Sanskrit, which is also considered as the oldest inscription of Nepal. The stone inscription pillar was erected by Manadeva (a Licchavi King) in 464 AD. There are many monuments in this temple dated from ancient time with great ritual and archeological values. Besides, there is a private museum on the way to the temple. It is considered as the first private museum of Nepal with the collection of ancient coins, tools, arts, and architectures. This museum is the excellent collection of ancient, historical, artistic, religious, archaeological, cultural and other rare objects which is once to be visited to gain a little more knowledge on the history of Nepal. The entrance fee to get into this Museum is NRs. 50 for Nepalese and NRs. 300 for a foreigner.

Moreover, many festivals and fairs have been organized on various occasions and one of the main festivals celebrated here is Changu Narayan Jatra. Daily puja and aarati are conducted in the temple.