CHANGU NARAYAN

In 1979.UNESCO declared Kathmandu Valley as one of the world heritage sites.Changu Narayan is one of the seven UNESCO world heritage sites located in Kathmandu Valley. Lying six kilometers west of the Bhaktapur City, the Changu Narayan temple adorns the top of a ridge overlooking the Valley from 153 meters above the floor. Dedicated to Lord Narayan (Vishnu), this fifth century monument is the oldest existing pagoda specimen in Nepal. It was originally built by the Lichhavi king Mandev and later it was renovated and it got an added embellishment, making it more elaborate and larger. There are two arched gates, one in the east and another in the west, leading into the temple courtyard. Long and wide stone-paved stairways, one at each side, lead up to the doorway.

The temple's entrance is on its western façade. Lavishly painted in gold and silver, the doorway is an excellent example of the repousse metal work of medieval Nepal. The ornate tympanum, yet another masterpiece, hangs above.

The artistic details incorporated in both of these are so superb that one cannot help but marvel at them. King Mandev's victory column flanks the elaborate entrance on its right. An engraving dated 464 AD on this monolith makes it the oldest stone inscription so far found in the Valley. The giant bird, Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu, kneels down in prayer nearby. Besides the Garuda sits a pair of royalties (Flying Garuda with Lord Vishnu on top of it and Vishworup, a stone masterpiece and rare manifestation of Lord Vishnu suggesting that the life cycle of all living beings begins and ends in him). The eight-century sculpture, Vishnu Vikranta portrays Baman, an incarnation of Vishnu, who reclaimed the universe from a demon king by covering all the "three worlds" i.e. Heaven, Earth and Hell. Beside it is a small temple dedicated to Narsingha, the man-lion, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, that dates back to the 11th century.

Some other attraction near the temple, are the stone images scattered around the complex, which are those of Asta-Matrikas (Mother Goddesses), Laxmi-Narayan, Uma-Maheswor, Shiva, Krishna and Avalokiteswor. Also, the masterpieces in wood, stone and metal, wooden struts hanging under the tilted roofs, Portrayal of Vishnu in his tenth incarnations, The four gates in the temple, one the lion-guarded western gate and other three, intricately carved wooden gates flanked by pairs of winged lions, griffins and elephants etc are few other good things to watch.