Changu Narayan Temple stands in Kathmandu, Nepal, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Narayan. It is also known as Changu Narayan, Dolagiri, Dolashikhara Swami.
One of the seven monument groups making up the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed 1979), Changu Narayan is celebrated for having the highest concentration of ancient stone sculpture and inscriptions in Nepal, spanning the 5th to 12th centuries, including the famous Garuda Narayan image depicted on Nepal's currency. Changu Narayan is widely regarded as the oldest Hindu temple still in use in the Kathmandu Valley, with origins traced to at least the 4th century AD.
Nepal carries a distinct temple identity of its own: Home to Pashupatinath, one of the holiest Shiva temples in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Darshan hours and daily worship
| Session | Timing (as published) |
|---|---|
| Morning | 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM (site open daily; sources vary between roughly 6 AM and 9 AM opening) |
Timings for general site/temple access vary by source; confirm locally before visiting.
Festivals and special-day timings
Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.
| Festival | Period | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Naag Panchami | Festival honoring serpent deities, observed at the temple complex. | |
| Teej | Women's festival observed with fasting and prayer. | |
| Prabodhini Ekadashi | Marks the awakening of Lord Vishnu, a significant observance day for Vishnu temples. |
History and architecture
Architecture
Traditional two-tiered Nepali pagoda style with box-configuration masonry walls, sun-dried brick inner faces, fired clay outer surfaces, and four entrances guarded by pairs of stone lions, griffins, elephants, and sarabhas
History
Changu Narayan is widely regarded as the oldest Hindu temple still in use in the Kathmandu Valley, with origins traced to at least the 4th century AD. It holds one of Nepal's oldest surviving stone inscriptions, a pillar erected by Lichhavi king Manadeva dated to the 5th century. The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, including after a major fire, with the current structure dating to 1702. It suffered severe damage in the 2015 Gorkha earthquake and was subsequently restored.
Planning your visit
How to reach
Located in Changunarayan Municipality, Bhaktapur District, roughly 7 miles (about 12 km) east of central Kathmandu; reachable by taxi or local bus from Kathmandu or Bhaktapur.
Where this information comes from
Confidence: Medium. Exact daily timings and entry fee amounts vary across sources and were not confirmed from an official source