Chaghunarayan Temple

CHANGU NARAYAN

Located on a magnificent hill top commanding a fantastic view of Kathmandu valley, Changu Narayan- the temple of Lord Vishnu- lies 6 km north of Bhaktapur. The temples are full of magnificient art works in mental and wood. In fact, It is one of the finest examples of Nepalese architecture. The first epigraphic evidence of Nepalese history found in the temple premises during the region of the Licchavi King Mahendra dating back to 464 A.D. shows that Changu had already been established as a sacred site in the 3^rd century, through older elements have been incorporated during the restorations. The Pagoda style temple has several masterpieces of 5^th and 12^th century Nepalese art.

Some of the important sculptures here are:

1. Viswo Roop- Lord Vishnu in his all pervasive universal form vishwo Roop represented in a serpant bed-the symbol of the endless water. This sculptre dates back to 8^th century A.D.                                                                                                                             2. Vishnu Vikaranta- Lord Vishnu in his most powerful form measuring the space by his feet. The stone bas-relief images are dated back to 8^th century A.D.                                                                                                                                                                                 3. Vishnu mounted in his vehicle Garuda- the mythical man bird.                                                                                                                 4. Nr-singha Vishnu in his half human and half lion’s form.                                                                                                                       The myth behind the conception of the Changu Narayan Temple portrays the religious significance and importance of the place. According to a legend, Lord Vishnu beheaded a Brahmin thinking it to a be a demon and only discovered it later that he had committed a heinous crime. He then wandered on earth on his mount, the ‘Garuda’ eventually surviving on milk stolen from a cow belonging to a hermit sage called sudharshan. When Sudharsan noticed about the stolen milk, he attacked and beheaded Lord Vishnu which freed Lord Vishnu from his sins ever since that day, the site has been held sacred and the temple has been revered.