changu narayan

Participants will be awestruck by Changu Narayan- one of our large temples dedicated to Narayan, or Vishnu the Preserver of Life.  Located at the four corners throughout the valley, this most famous temple is Northeast of Kathmandu sitting atop a hill offering a breathtaking view of the expanse of the valley.   According to legend, Vishnu, during his raid to destroy evil, accidentally killed a Brahmin priest thought to be evil.   While wandering around on the half bird, half man mythical Garuda, he came to rest at Changu Narayan where he was mistakenly identified and beheaded by a hermit.   Regretting the murder of the Brahmin, Vishnu chose to live at the site where he was atoned of the sin and said those worshipping at the site during the full moon or Wednesdays will be forgiven of their own sins.

Though the courtyard of Changu Narayan may be the smallest of all the World Heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley, the collective histories of its art may cover the longest period of time and thus giving us a better longitudinal glimpse of the history of the region.   Among the numerous intricately carved stone statues from the 4 ^th to 9 ^th Century marking the Licchavi era, the first inscription dates back to AD 464, and is the oldest of its kind found in Nepal.   Though the Changu Narayan complex has been victim to various natural disasters, it has been continually rebuilt by adoring members of royalty and Nepal’s citizenry at large.   The result is a tremendous mix of artistic styles and mediums concentrated in this small area leading up to and including the hill.   However, due to this concentration of rare and priceless art at Changu Narayan, the temple has been victim to thefts over the years requiring cages to be put around some of the statues.