Changu Narayan Temple- UNESCO World Heritage Site-Changunarayan-Kathmandu Velly -Nepal

Changu Narayan Temple is One of the oldest temple and beauty of in Kathmandu valley. The Main Attraction of this temple is Lord Vishnu's ten head Image.The Changu Narayan temple is a double-roofed temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his incarnation as Narayan.Here is Some Information about Changu Narayan(Lord Shiva) Temple in Changunarayan Town Kathmandu Velly Nepal.

Location: Changunarayan Town,22 km from Kathmandu Velly, Nepal
Built in: 4th century ,325 AD
Re Built : 1702
Built By: Lichhavi period
Dedicated to: Lord Shiva
Entry: 60/- Rs Per person
Photography:Allow
Significance: Darshan Of Lord Vishnu's ten Head Image
Timing: All Time
Visiting Timing: 1 Hour
Best time to Visit: Oct To Feb
Nearest Railway Station: Bhikhna Thori Railway Station
Nearest Airport: Kathmandu Airport

More Information about Changu Narayan Temple

Changu Narayan Temple is located at Changunarayan Town,22 km from Kathmandu Velly, Nepal.The temple was originally built in 325 AD , 4th Century and Rebuilt in 1702.The temple was built by king of Lichhavi period.The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.The Changu Narayan Temple is one of seven structures cited by UNESCO as demonstrating the historic and artistic achievements that make the Kathmandu Valley a UNESCO World Heritage Site.The temple is surrounded by forest with champak tree and a small village, known as Changu Village.Changu Narayan Temple is also known by the names such as Dola Sukhara, Garud Narayana, Champaka Narayan and Dola Parvat. Being situated on a hilltop, from here, one can also have a very pleasant view of the Kathmandu valley and its beautiful surroundings.The temple stands as the epitome of culture, religion, history and faith of the Kathmandu valley.

Inside the Changunarayan temple is a esteemed figure of Garuda. The statue is offered sweets by the devotees every year on Nag Panchami. This is done in remembrance of the epic struggle with the great snake Taksaka. The drops of moisture, believed to be effective against diseases such as leprosy and ulcers, are collected by the priests.The present temple pagoda style Architecture. A life size 5th century statue of Garuda, the carrier of Lord Vishnu kneels with his hands folded before the temple. Besides Garuda is one of the oldest Licchavi stone inscriptions. In front of the temple here is a statue of kneeling King Bhupatindra Malla and his queen.

There is a 6th century stone statue of Vishnu Viswarup, the universal form of Lord Vishnu that Lord Krishna showed Arjuna while speaking the Bhagavad Gita. On the Lakshmi Narayan Temple there is an 8th century statue of six-armed Trivikratha (Lord Vamana), and next to it is a statue of Lord Narasimha, the man-lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Behind the last two statues is a little black slab that has an image of Narayan lying on the traditional serpent Ananta and above it Lord Vishnu with 10 arms and heads. In the northwest corner of the courtyard is a sculpture of Lord Vishnu riding on Garuda, which is on the Rs 10 Nepali banknote. Above the main door is Lord Vishnu holding his four symbols.

History of Changu Narayan Temple

The temple now covers sixteen hundred years of Nepalese art history.This temple was built in Licchavi period and it is one of the Nepal's richest structure historically.It is one of Nepal’s most beautiful and historically important structures. The original shrine of Changu Narayan was built by king of the Lichhavi dynasty (c. 330-879 AD.), kings of a race of conquerors from the south. For them and their successors the concept of the Supreme God was much larger than the Valley, even cosmic in extent and was expressed by their sculptors’ portrayal of the majesty of divinity and the benevolence of the universe in stone. The size of their images, the ambition of their themes, and the grace and power of their execution place their work amongst Asia’s most magnificent artistic achievements.

A Historical importance is ChanguNarayan Temple is the oldest temple in Kathmandu valley.In this temple Vishnu idol with ten heads and ten arms is a fine example of stone carving from the 5th century. The temple is of great importance due to its idols and shrines having rich architectural beauty.

Architecture of Changu Narayan Temple

The Changu Narayan temple is pagoda-style temple Architecture .The temple is adorned by some of the best specimen of stone, wood, and metal craft in the valley. The temple stands as the epitome of culture, religion, history and faith of the Kathmandu .It remains a milestone in Nepali temple architecture with decorated works.A life size stone statue of Garuda kneels in front of the west face of the temple. Its top roof is made out of gilded copper sheets while the lower one is having a traditional tiled roof. The over hanging roofs of it have been supported by very beautifully carved wooden components used in it. There is an inscription stone behind the statue. In front of the temple’s main entrance, in a ornate cage, there are smaller statues of King Bhupatindra Malla and his queen.

In its complex, apart from the main shrine of Changu Narayan, there are other similar architectural edifices that can also be taken as a fine specimen of Nepalese architectural designs evolved in different periods of time in the past. For example, the temple of Goddess Chhinnamasta, Kileswor Mahadeva, Laxmi Narayan, Natyeswora, Yatu Maju, Kanti Bhirava and several sattalas (public rest houses) are some which were built in different historical times by different persons.

Place to be seen of Changu Narayan Temple

Garuda Narayana Temple

Shrine of King Bhupalendra Malla and his mother

Krishna Shrine

Nateshvara Shrine

Sculpture of Sri Mahadev

Sculpture of Garud

Shrine of Somalingeshvar

Sculptures: Vishnu, Durga Avalokitesvara and Garuda Ganesh

Ganesh Shrine

Bhagvati Temple

Vishnu Vikrant

Vishnu Vishvarup

Lakshmi Temple Shiva Temple

Stone Column

Nearest Visiting Places of Changu Narayan Temple

Pashupathinath Temple

Boudhnath Stupa

Basuki Nag Temple
Tsamchen Gompa
Authentic Organic Textiles
Unmatta bhairav temple

Kirti mukh bhairav temple
Pingala temple
Krishna temple
Gorakhnath temple
Vishwarupa temple
Manakamana temple
Ram mandir

Sapta matrikas
Hanumanji Temple
Asta chiranjibi
Satya narayana
Guheshwori temple (Shakti peetham)

Nearest Hotels and Restaurants of Changu Narayan Temple

Mahadev Hotel-0.5 Km
Bagdurbar, Pokharaline
Kathmandu

Hotel Mansarover-0.3 Km
Pashupatinath Road Mitrapark
Kathmandu

Mirage Lords Inn Kathmandu-1.0 km
310 Battisputali Road
Kathmandu

Palagya Hotel-0.5 Km
Near Tribhuvan International Airport,
Gaushala,Kathmandu

Hotel Narayana-0.1 km
Gaushala Tilganga, Kathmandu

The Amadablam Hotel-0.6 Km
Pingalsthan,Kathmandu

Hotel Pashupati Plaza-0.6Km
Gpo box 11502, Gaushala
Kathmandu

Pashupatinath Road Mitrapark
Jay Bageshwori, Pashupati,
Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Phone: +977 1447 3790

Hotel Travel Inn-0.6 Km
Gaushala 9,Kathmandu

Hotel Shraddha Palace-0.7 Km
Gaushala Chowk,Kathmandu

The Dwarika's Hotel-0.8
Battisputali,Kathmandu

How To Reach Changu Narayan Temple

By Road : There are also a number of local buses and vans that carry passengers in the Kathmandu Valley around Ring Road to Chabihil and Boudhanath Stupa.There are many public and private Vehicals available to reach Changu Narayan Temple.

By Rail: The Nearest Railway station is Bhikhna Thori Railway Station 93 KM from Pashupatinath Temple Kathmandu Nepal.

By Air: Kathmandu has its own Airport , so Nearest Airport is Kathmandu and Gorakhpur Airport 245 Km from Boudhanath Stupa Nepal.