Changunarayan

                           CHANGUNARAYAN
The 4th century temple of Changu Narayan,located at the top of a 5,500 feet high green hill about 18 Kms.east of the capital city.It is the perhaps the oldest temple among the thousandsin the Kathmandu valley.It is also noticed because of its unique main idol of God Vishnu that has a head detached.The beautiful religious heritage and tourist site has a majestic two-storey pagoda temple in the middle,surrounded by rest houses and several small temple and idols in the courtyard.It lies by a thick  jungle and a dense village of the newars,who have been physically and culturally attached with the monument for thousands of years.In the history at least,the village was a strong independent settlement.The main temple,known as the Ta Dewal,is a two story temple with highly decorated doors,torans and struts.There are three doors and a pair of lion guards at each side,though one is open for the visitors.