Perched high on Dolagiri Hill, overlooking the lush Kathmandu Valley in Bhaktapur District, Changunarayan Temple is celebrated as the oldest surviving Hindu temple in Nepal. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it remains both a sacred place of worship and a remarkable testament to Nepal’s ancient history, art, and architecture.
Historical Background
The origins of Changunarayan reach back to the 4th century CE, during the Licchavi period. Tradition attributes its foundation to King Haridatta Varma around 325 CE. Within the temple grounds stands Nepal’s oldest known stone inscription, erected in 464 CE by King Mānadeva. Written in Sanskrit and Gupta script, it records donations to the temple and provides invaluable evidence of Nepal’s early monarchy.
Over the centuries the temple has suffered disasters, including a devastating fire in 1702 AD and significant damage in the 2015 Gorkha earthquake. Each time it has been carefully restored, most recently with major works completed in 2017, underscoring its resilience and continued importance.
Architectural and Artistic Significance
Changunarayan Temple exemplifies a uniquely Nepali style of architecture, neither purely pagoda nor shikhara. The two-storey structure, built upon a high stone plinth, is adorned with elaborately carved wooden struts depicting the ten avatars of Vishnu alongside other deities. The four main entrances are guarded by stone figures of lions, elephants, griffins, and the mythical sarabha.
Within the temple complex, the artistry of the Licchavi period is especially evident. Notable works include:
The Garuda Statue – Vishnu’s eagle-like mount, depicted kneeling with hands folded.
Narasimha Image – Showing Vishnu’s man-lion incarnation defeating the demon Hiranyakashipu.
Vishnu’s Avatars – A series of intricate sculptures and reliefs illustrating his various forms.
These masterpieces of stone, metal, and wood are considered among the finest examples of early Nepali craftsmanship.
Religious Importance
The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, revered locally as Changu Narayan. Alongside the main shrine, there are smaller shrines to Shiva, Ashta Matrika, Chhinnamasta, Kileshwor, and Krishna, reflecting Nepal’s syncretic religious traditions. Some Buddhist traditions also revere Vishnu here under the name Lokesvara, showing the temple’s wider spiritual resonance.
World Heritage Status
Recognising its outstanding cultural value, Changunarayan Temple was inscribed in 1979 as part of the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, it remains both a pilgrimage destination and a living museum of early Nepali civilization.
Changunarayan Temple stands as a timeless guardian of Nepal’s religious devotion and artistic excellence. With a history stretching back over 1,600 years, it is more than just the oldest Hindu temple in the country: it is a living reminder of Nepal’s resilience, faith, and creativity, treasured by worshippers, historians, and travellers alike.
PC: Wikimedia Commons, Shree Ram Khatri
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