Changu Narayan is the temple of Vishnu, the Preserver, in the village of Changu in Bhaktapur. The origins of Changu Narayan go back to the fourth century. A fifth century stone inscription in the temple proclaims it as one of the oldest shrines of the Kathmandu Valley. The temple is believed to be sixteen hundred years old. It is embellished by the best examples of stone, wood, and metal craft.

On the struts of the two-tiered Changu Narayan Temple, are the ten incarnations of Narayan. A sixth-century stone statue shows the cosmic form of Vishnu. Garuda, half man and half bird, is the steed of Vishnu, and his life-sized statue kneels before the temple.

 

Other UNESCO Heritage Sites:

• Changu Narayan Temple
• Pashupatinath Temple
• Chitwan National Park
• Bhaktapur Durbar Square
• Swayambhunath Stupa, Kathmandu
• Sagarmatha National Park
• Patan Durbar Square
• Kathmandu Durbar Square
• Bouddhanath Stupa