Changu Narayan - Physical Aspects

Physical Aspects

Changu Narayan Temple is situated at the top of the hill surrounded by forest of Champ tree. On the main way to temple courtyard, we can find human settlement. People from Newar community live in and around Changu Narayan area. With the development in tourism in this place, we can find many medium and small sized hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, etc. An ancient stone tap is located on the way to changunaran which is believed to have existed since the time of Lichhavi. About Temple art and architectures: Changu Narayan is considered as the oldest temple of Nepal. It remains a milestone in Nepali temple architecture with rich embossed works. The two storied roof temple is standing in a high plinth of stone. According to Professor Madhan Rimal ,Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Tribhuwan University, the temple is neither in Shikhara Style nor the Pegoda style. It has a unique architect which he would like to describe as traditional Nepali style temple. The temple is all surrounded by sculptures and arts related to Lord Vishnu. Also we can find the temple of lord Shiva, Ashta Matrika, Chhinnamasta, Kileshwor and Krishna inside the courtyard of main temple. There are for entrances to the temple and these four entrance gates are guarded by life size pairs of animals such as lions, sarabhas, graffins and elephants on each side of the entrances. The ten incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the other idols are carved in the struts, which support the roof. The entrance door looks like gold platted with carving of Nagas (snakes). On the main entrance gate (i.e. western entrance gate), we can find the Chakra, Sankha, Kamal and khadga all at the top of a stone pillar. These stone pillars has inscription in Sanskrit. This inscription is considered to be the oldest inscription of Nepal and the stone inscription pillar was erected by Lichhavi King Manadeva in 464 AD. The following monument are located while visiting the temple from the right side after entering from the main entrance (Eastern gate) to courtyard.  Historical pillar erected by Mandeva in 464 AD  Garuda:- flying vehicle of Lord Vishnu which has god a human face and is a devotee of Vishnu.  Statue of Bhupalendra Malla, King of Kantipur and his queen BhuwanLakshmi.  Chanda Narayan (Garuda Narayan):- 7th century stone sculpture of Vishnu riding on Garuda. This sculpture has been depicted in the 10 rupee paper note issued by Nepal Rastra Bank  Sridhar Vishnu:- 9th century stone sculpture of Visnu, Laxmi and garuda which stands on the pedestals of various motifs.  Vaikuntha Vishnu :- 16th century sculpture of Visnu seated on the lalitason position on the six armed Garuda and Laxmi seated on the lap of Vishnu  Chhinnamasta:- Temple dedicated to Chhinnamasta devi, who beheaded herself, offered her own blood to feed the hungry Dakini and Varnini.  Vishworup:- 7th century stone sculpture- beautifully carved that depicts the scene from the Bhagwat Gita, in which Lord Krishna manifests his universal form to his devotee Arjun.  Vishnu Vikrant :- 7th century sculpture of Trivikram Vishnu that depicts the scene of popular Hindu myth of Lord Vishn and his beloved Bali Raja.  Narasimha :- 7th century sculpture of Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, killing the demon King Hiranyakasyapa to save his beloved devotee Pralahad.  Kileshwor:- small two storied temple of lord Shiva, who is believed to have appeared in this place for the protection of the hill.