Old as old itself
Changunarayan is one of the oldest and most significant sites in the kathmandu valley, dating from before the 4th century and classified as one of the seven UNESCO world hritagesite in Kathmandu valley. Situated four kilometers from Bhaktapur, the 4th centure two-tiered changunarayan temple has always been belived to be the oldest temple in the valley, But according to kathmandu valley preservation trust the oldest pagoda type temple in the valley is the sulima Ratnesvara temple in sulima, Patan, however, leaving this aside, an inscription on a stone pillar ( Garuda dhwaja) dating back to 464 A.D. in Changunarayan temple, is Nepal’s oldest stone inscription.
” The temple of changunarayan was originally built in the 4th century during the lichhavi Dynasty. It was rebullit in 1702 after a major fire occurred.”
The changunarayan temple is a double roofed temple dedicant to lord vishnu in his incarnation as Narayan. The temple is decorated with ten incarnations of the Narayan . stone lions guard all the four doors of the temple.
Garuda, Half man and half bird is the vehicle of lord vishunu. A life size stone statue of Garuda kneels in front of the west face of the temple. There is an inscription stone behind the statue. The inscription provides important information on the lichhivi dynasty and on the history of kathmandu valley. infront of the temples main entrance in a ornate cage, three are smallar statues of king Bhupatindra Malla and his queen.
