Your browser has disabled scripting - some functions of this album will not be available. Please check your browser configuration and security settings for this site

Mountains Of Travel Photos

Home | Kathmandu Main | Kathmandu References | Contact

Kathmandu Photo Gallery - Changu Narayan

I have been to Kathmandu many times over the years. Here are photos of Changu Narayan from November 2011.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 01 Chinnamasta Temple And Changu Narayan Temple East Entrance Changu Narayan Temple is a pagoda-style Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu in his incarnation as Narayan. It was originally built around the 4C, but the present temple was rebuilt in 1702 after it was destroyed by fire. It is situated on a ridge at 1541m overlooking the Kathmandu Valley, about 22 km to the east of Kathmandu and 6 km north of Bhaktapur. Though the temple is quite beautiful, especially the doors and front facade, Changu Narayan is not known for its temple but for the stone statues, bas-relief carvings, and inscriptions that are scattered around the temple courtyard, created between the 5th and 13th century. On the left is the Chinnamasta Temple and at the bottom just to the left of centre is a Ganesh shrine.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 01 Chinnamasta Temple And Changu Narayan Temple East Entrance

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 02 A Pair of Griffins In Front Of The East Entrance To Changu Narayan Temple A pair of griffins stands at the east entrance to the Change Narayan Temple. A griffin is a legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 02 A Pair of Griffins In Front Of The East Entrance To Changu Narayan Temple

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 03 Garuda On South Side Of Changu Narayan To the left of the entrance to Changu Narayan is a shrine to Ganesh.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 03 Garuda On South Side Of Changu Narayan

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 04 Unfinished Elephant Statue In Front Of Chinnamasta Temple An unfinished statue of an elephant is just to the left of the Chinnamasta temple at Changu Narayan.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 04 Unfinished Elephant Statue In Front Of Chinnamasta Temple

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 05 Chinnamasta Temple With Lion Statue In Front And Shiva, Chamunda, And Bhagwati Durga Above Entrance Door A lion stands guard In front of the Chinnamasta Temple at Changu Narayan. Above the temple entrance are Shiva, Chamunda, and Bhagwati Durga. Shiva holds a damaru drum and a trident. Chamunda holds a sword, a damaru drum, a discus, club, and a noose. One leg of Bhagwati Durga stands on her lion, while her hands hold a sword, a discus, a bow and arrow, and the tail of a buffalo with a trident aimed at the neck of the buffalo.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 05 Chinnamasta Temple With Lion Statue In Front And Shiva, Chamunda, And Bhagwati Durga Above Entrance Door

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 06 South Entrance To Changu Narayan Temple The roof struts of the Changu Narayan Temple south side feature multi-armed Tantric deities while below a pair of elephants guard the entrance. The temple main entrance is on the left.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 06 South Entrance To Changu Narayan Temple

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 07 A Pair Of Elephants In Front Of The South Entrance To Changu Narayan Temple A pair of stone elephants guard the south side of the Changu Narayan Temple in the Kathmandu Valley.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 07 A Pair Of Elephants In Front Of The South Entrance To Changu Narayan Temple

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 08 A Multi Armed Tantric Deity Carved In Wood On The Roof Strut On The South Side Of Changu Narayan Temple The roof strut on the south side of the Changu Narayan Temple in Kathmandu has an intricate carving of a multi-armed Tantric deity.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 08 A Multi Armed Tantric Deity Carved In Wood On The Roof Strut On The South Side Of Changu Narayan Temple

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 09 A Multi Armed Tantric Deity Carved In Wood On The Roof Strut Of Changu Narayan Temple The double-roofed Changu Narayan Temple in the Kathmandu Valley has intricate roof struts with multi-armed Tantric deities, masterpieces of Newari carving.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 09 A Multi Armed Tantric Deity Carved In Wood On The Roof Strut Of Changu Narayan Temple

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 10-1 10 Headed And 10-Armed Vishnu Stone Statue With Another Vishnu Below Lying On Serpent Ananta A small black slab from 5C or 6C at Changu Narayan has a 10-headed and 10-armed standing Vishnu, with another Vishnu reclining on the serpent Ananta below. The scenes are divided into three sections – the heavens, the world of men, and the underworld below.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 10-1 10 Headed And 10-Armed Vishnu Stone Statue With Another Vishnu Below Lying On Serpent Ananta

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 10-2 10-Headed Vishnu Stone Statue Close Up Here is a close up of six of the 10 heads of the 10-headed Vishnu at Changu Narayan Temple in the Kathmandu Valley.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 10-2 10-Headed Vishnu Stone Statue Close Up

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 11 Six Armed Vishnu Vikrantha Jumps To Cross The Universe In Three Steps In front of the Lakshmi Narayan Temple at the far left corner is an 8C statue of a six-armed Vishnu Vikrantha athletically jumping with his legs wide apart. The six-armed dwarf was transformed into a giant capable of crossing the universe in three steps.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 11 Six Armed Vishnu Vikrantha Jumps To Cross The Universe In Three Steps

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 12 Vishnu Half-Man Half-Lion Narsingha Disembowels A Demon Just past the Vishnu Vikrantha statue in front of the Lakshmi Narayan Temple is a beautiful 11C or 12C Vishnu statue in the form of the half-man, half-lion Narasingha who disembowels a demon lying on his knees.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 12 Vishnu Half-Man Half-Lion Narsingha Disembowels A Demon

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 13 Vishnu With 12 Arms, Seven Heads Including Boar And Lion Heads Riding Garuda With Lakshmi On Lap Just to the left of the Kileshwor Temple at Changu Narayan is Vishnu with 12 arms and 7 heads, including boar and lion heads, riding on Garuda with Lakshmi (Laxmi) on his lap.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 13 Vishnu With 12 Arms, Seven Heads Including Boar And Lion Heads Riding Garuda With Lakshmi On Lap

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 14 Bhairab At the far left side of Changu Narayan is a shrine to Bhairab, a fierce manifestation of Vishnu.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 14 Bhairab

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 15 Kileshwor Temple The small two-story Kileshwor Temple just to the south of the main entrance door to the Changu Narayan Temple was constructed in the 17C.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 15 Kileshwor Temple

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 16 Changu Narayan Temple Main Entrance The main entrance to the Changu Narayan Temple is on the west side with two of the traditional symbols of Vishnu on the pillars to the left and right – the chakra wheel and conch shell.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 16 Changu Narayan Temple Main Entrance

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 17 Changu Narayan Temple Main Entrance Has Beautiful Gilded Doors And Windows And Two Snow Lions Two snow lions guard the main entrance to the Changu Narayan Temple which has a beautifully gilded door and windows.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 17 Changu Narayan Temple Main Entrance Has Beautiful Gilded Doors And Windows And Two Snow Lions

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 18 Lakshmi, Vishnu And Garuda On The Torana Above Main Entrance To Changu Narayan Temple Vishnu is engraved in the brass work of the torana above the main west door of the Changu Narayan Temple in the Kathmandu Valley. To the left is Lakshmi (Laxmi) and to the right is Garuda.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 18 Lakshmi, Vishnu And Garuda On The Torana Above Main Entrance To Changu Narayan Temple

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 19 Gilded Window And Ornate Carvings On Left Side Of Main Entrance To Changu Narayan Temple The left side of the main entrance to the Changu Narayan Temple has a gilded window and ornate carvings.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 19 Gilded Window And Ornate Carvings On Left Side Of Main Entrance To Changu Narayan Temple

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 20 King Bhupatindra Malla And His Queen Kneel In a Gilded Cage Before The Main Entrance To Changu Narayan Temple King Bhupatindra Malla, the ruler of Bhaktapur from 1696 to 1722, and his queen kneel in a gilded cage in front of the main entrance to Changu Narayan Temple in the Kathmandu Valley.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 20 King Bhupatindra Malla And His Queen Kneel In a Gilded Cage Before The Main Entrance To Changu Narayan Temple

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 21 5C Life Size Garuda Statue Kneels In Front Of Main Entrance To Changu Narayan Temple Facing the main entrance to the Changu Narayan Temple is a life size 5C statue of a kneeling Garuda, the carrier of Lord Vishnu, with a snake around his neck and his hands together saying Namaste.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 21 5C Life Size Garuda Statue Kneels In Front Of Main Entrance To Changu Narayan Temple

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 22 Pillar Topped With Chakra Wheel Has Oldest Stone Inscription In Kathmandu Valley Dating From 464 AD In front of the main entrance to Changu Narayan Temple is a tall pillar topped with a chakra wheel that has the oldest stone inscription in the Kathmandu Valley dating from 464AD.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 22 Pillar Topped With Chakra Wheel Has Oldest Stone Inscription In Kathmandu Valley Dating From 464 AD

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 23 Close Up Of Oldest Stone Inscription In Kathmandu Valley Dating From 464 AD The oldest inscription in the Kathmandu Valley dating from 464AD describes in detail the story of Dharmadeva, a King of Nepal who died suddenly with his young son succeeding him to the throne. After a series of victories in war, the son inscribed his victory on a stone pillar and placed it in front of the temple.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 23 Close Up Of Oldest Stone Inscription In Kathmandu Valley Dating From 464 AD

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 24 7C Image Of Vishnu Riding Garuda Just To The North Of Main Entrance To Changu Narayan Temple In the northwest corner of the Changu Narayan Temple in the Kathmandu Valley is a 7C statue of Vishnu riding on the back of Garuda. Vishnu holds a chakra wheel and a long mace club in his raised hands and a conch shell in his lower hand.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 24 7C Image Of Vishnu Riding Garuda Just To The North Of Main Entrance To Changu Narayan Temple

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 25 Sridhar Vishnu With Lakshmi And Garuda Just To The North Of Main Entrance To Changu Narayan Temple Sridhar Vishnu stands on a pedestal holding a chakra wheel and lotus in his right hands, and a small mace club and conch shell in his left hands just to the north of the main entrance to Changu Narayan Temple in the Kathmandu Valley. The other two figures are Lakshmi (Laxmi) and Garuda. This image dates from around the ninth century.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 25 Sridhar Vishnu With Lakshmi And Garuda Just To The North Of Main Entrance To Changu Narayan Temple

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 26 Vishnu And Garuda Image Just To The North Of Main Entrance To Changu Narayan Temple Just to the north of the main entrance to Changu Narayan Temple is a rough statue of Vishnu and Garuda.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 26 Vishnu And Garuda Image Just To The North Of Main Entrance To Changu Narayan Temple

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 27 Mythical Winged Lion Guards North Entrance To Changu Narayan Temple The northern entrance of the Changu Narayan Temple is guarded by a mythical winged lion.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 27 Mythical Winged Lion Guards North Entrance To Changu Narayan Temple

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 28 Krisha Plays the Flute On The Torana Above The North Entrance To The Changu Narayan Temple Krishna plays the flute on the torana above the north entrance to Changu Narayan Temple. In his other two hands, Krishna holds the discus and the conch, symbols of Vishnu.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 28 Krisha Plays the Flute On The Torana Above The North Entrance To The Changu Narayan Temple

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 29 Vishnu, Durga, And Shiva Carvings On A Stone In Front Of The North Entrance To Changu Narayan Temple Vishnu, Durga, and Shiva are carved on a stone in front of the north entrance to Changu Narayan Temple. Vishnu has four arms and holds the disc and mace / club. Durga has eight arms and holds the sword, damaru drum, trident, and disc. Shiva has four arms and holds a damaru drum, a trident, and a small water pot.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 29 Vishnu, Durga, And Shiva Carvings On A Stone In Front Of The North Entrance To Changu Narayan Temple

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 30 Four Armed Vishnu Stands On Garuda Behind A Headless Statue In The North East Corner Of Changu Narayan A four armed Vishnu stands on Garuda in the north east corner of Changu Narayan. Vishnu arms hold the disc, mace / club, conch shell, and lotus.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 30 Four Armed Vishnu Stands On Garuda Behind A Headless Statue In The North East Corner Of Changu Narayan

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 31 10 Armed Vaikuntha Vishnu With Lakshmi On His Lap Rides On Garuda In The North East Corner Of Changu Narayan A 16C statue of Vaikuntha Vishnu with 10 arms and 4 heads, including two boar heads, and Lakshmi (Laxmi) on his lap rides a six-armed Garuda in the north east corner of Changu Narayan.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 31 10 Armed Vaikuntha Vishnu With Lakshmi On His Lap Rides On Garuda In The North East Corner Of Changu Narayan

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 32 Shiva Lingam In Small Temple In North East Corner Of Changu Narayan A Shiva lingam sits inside the small temple in the north east corner of Changu Narayan to the right of the compound entrance.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 32 Shiva Lingam In Small Temple In North East Corner Of Changu Narayan

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 33 Shiva Lingam On Ground Next To Parijat Tree Platform On North East Side Of Changu Narayan Another Shiva lingam is on the ground to the right of the entrance to the Changu Narayan Temple next to the parijat tree platform.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 33 Shiva Lingam On Ground Next To Parijat Tree Platform On North East Side Of Changu Narayan

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 34 Three Images Of Vishnu, One Riding Garuda, On West Side Of Parijat Tree Platform On North East Side Of Changu Narayan Three statues of Vishnu are on the west side of the parijat tree platform in the north east area of Changu Narayan. The middle Vishnu holds a chakra wheel and a long mace club in his raised hands and is shown riding Garuda. Each of the left and right Vishnus hold a chakra wheel and a mace club, standing between two smaller figures.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 34 Three Images Of Vishnu, One Riding Garuda, On West Side Of Parijat Tree Platform On North East Side Of Changu Narayan

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 35 Figure With Eight Arms That I Think Is Durga Is On East Side Of Parijat Tree Platform On North East Side Of Changu Narayan A rough statue of a figure with eighth arms that I think is Durga is on the east side of the parijat tree platform in the north east area of Changu Narayan. It is hard to make out what the arms are holding.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 35 Figure With Eight Arms That I Think Is Durga Is On East Side Of Parijat Tree Platform On North East Side Of Changu Narayan

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 36 Padmapani Lokeshvara Is On South Side Of Parijat Tree Platform On North East Side Of Changu Narayan Padmapani Lokeshvara (or Lotus-Bearer) is on the south side of the parijat tree platform in the north east area of Changu Narayan. Padmapani Lokeshvara holds a lotus flower in his left hand and shows varada mudra with his right hand, and is one of the more common forms of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 36 Padmapani Lokeshvara Is On South Side Of Parijat Tree Platform On North East Side Of Changu Narayan

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 37 Changu Narayan Temple East Entrance From Entrance After completing my walk around Changu Narayan, I gazed at the east entrance to the Changu Narayan Temple before leaving.

Kathmandu Changu Narayan 37 Changu Narayan Temple East Entrance From Entrance