ChanguNarayan

ChanguNarayan is situated in Bhaktapur district, 4.8km from the headquater and 21km from Kathmandu. There is a story related with Changunarayan. Many years ago there was a brahmin and Gopal. Gopal had to take the milk for brahmin everyday. Time and again brahmin was unable to brought the milk for brahmin because all the milk was drank by a small little boy. Oneday he want to brahmin's home with empty hand and told all the story.After hearing the story the brahmin hid behind the tree and saw a little black boy came and drank all the milk from the cow. After that he killed that boy. As soon as he killled him blood came from the tree and he saw the lord Bishnu. When he saw lord Bishnu he was very scared but lord Bishnu said no need to worry because many years ago that brahmin's father was killed by his hand now he was freed from the sin. According to him now the dynasty of that brahmin would have to worship everyday even though if any family members die.

At present, Chackra Dharananda Rajopadhya is handling it .This impressive double roofed temple is said to be the most ancient Vishnu temple in the Kathmandu Valley. The original temple was built around the 4th century. The present pagoda-style temple was rebuilt in 1702 after it was destroyed by fire. It is located in a beautiful peaceful location, 4km north of Bhaktapur, on a hill top in the east side of the Valley. From the temple there are good views of the valley in three directions. The original 5th century stone deity of Lord Vishnu is said to be in the sanctum, but only the priest can see the deity.
The temple can easily be reached by taxi or bus, or it is an interesting walk from Bhaktapur or Nagarkot.

The temple is dedicated to Narayan, who is an incarnation (expansion) of Lord Vishnu. It has many old outstanding stone, wood, and metal carvings dating from the Lichhavai period. On the intricately carved painted roof struts of the temple are intricate carvings of the ten incarnations of Vishnu and goddesses.

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 sixth 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.

The beautifully gilded door is guarded by stone lions of it and has intricate gilded windows on either side. On four pillars in the four corners are the symbols representing Lord Vishnu: the chakra (disc) and conch shell, the lotus (padma), and club (gada).