Introduction

• Location- Changunarayan Municipality, Bhaktapur

• Main shrine- Lord Vishnu
• Type- Pagoda
• No. of Storey- 2

• Changu Narayan temple is considered to be the oldest

temple in the history of Nepal
  Figure: Changu Narayan temple
• Changu Narayan is located on a high hilltop that is also
known as Changu or Dolagiri

• The temple was surrounded by champak tree forest and a

small village known as Changu

• Temple is surrounded by ancient carvings and statues

Figure: Changu Narayan temple at the hill top
History
325 B.C 1585-1614 1979
Temple existed in the Restoration of Temple listed as UNESCO
time of king Hari Datta by Siva Simha Malla protected
Verma monument zone
.

 
Temple was originally Earthquake
Major fire
constructed by king damage
occured
mandev

4th century 1702 2015

• Old as old itself, the Changu Narayan Temple has a history that dates back to around 3000 years.
• In the grounds there is a stone pillar inscription of great importance recording the military exploits of King Man
Deva who reigned from 496 A.D. to 524 A.D.
 The Temple art and architecture
• The following monument is located while visiting the temple from
the right side after entering from the main entrance (Eastern gate) to
the courtyard:

Historical pillar Vaikuntha Vishnu

Garuda Chhinnamasta
Statue of Bhupatendra Malla Vishwaroop
Garuda Narayan Vishnu Vikrant
Sridhar Vishnu Narasimha
Kileshwor

• Temple stands on a high plinth of stone

• Four entrances of temple guarded by life-size pairs of animals
such as stone lions, griffins, elephants, and sarabhas 
• The entrance door gold plated with carving of Nagas (snakes).
• On the main entrance gate (i.e. western entrance gate), we
can find the Chakra, Sankha, Kamal and Khadga all at the
top of a stone pillar 
• These stone pillars have an inscription which is considered
to be the oldest inscription of Nepal erected by Licchavi
(kingdom) King Mandeva in 464 AD.

• The ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu and the

other idols are carved in the struts, which
support the roof.
• Various artefacts are carved on the metal
pylons above the doors 
 LEGEND
LEGENDS
1. Garuda Narayan Temple
2. Pujari
Shrine of Bhupalendra Malla and his mother
Sattal
3. Krishna Shrine
4. Museum and dataShrine
Nateshavara archive
5. Community
Sculpturemeeting
of Sri Mahadev
space
6. Sculpture of Garuda
Community library
7. Shrine of Somalingeshvara
8. Store for Chariots
Sculptures: Vishnu, Durga, Avalokitesvara and Garuda
Ganesh
Visitors information center
9. Ganesh Shrine
44 10. Religious
Bhagvatimusic
Temple
66 77 11. Security
Vishnuguard center
Vikranta
33 55 12. Extension
Vishnu Vishvarupa
of living museum
13. Lakshmi Temple
Amatya Sattal
1515 88 14. Shiva Temple
Privately owned land
15. Stone Column

11
22

1414
99
1212 1111 1010
1313

Figure:
Figure: Master plan Proposed use oftemple
of Changunarayan courtyard
complex
Figure: Plan Figure: Section at A-A
Figure: Elevation
 Significance of the Temple Complex (Why conserve?)

• It is one of the oldest Hindu temples of the Kathmandu valley

and is believed to have been constructed in the 4th century

• There are the gems of the collection which are the statues and
carvings dotted around the courtyard, the oldest dating back
to the Licchavi era (400 to 750)

• It has its own historical, religious and cultural significance

which has been beautifully preserved at the Changu Museum

• The main temple is decorated with some of the finest carvings

in the Kathmandu Valley

• It is one of the UNESCO world heritage site (Protected

monument zone).
 Problems/Threats/ Challenges
• Mining of sand and stones in the Manohara stream .
• The local administration has failed to control the mining activities.
• Because of the mining activities, the temple area has become prone to landslides.
• The chances of soil erosion and landslide are very high due to overgrazing in the nearby forest,
• There is a challenge regarding the security of the unique sculptures.
• No individual heritage guideline for the protection of the Changu Narayan temple.

Management approaches

• Changunarayan VDC has formed a committee called Changu Narayan Temple Management Committee
• The committee is responsible body to work for protection, preservation, and management.
• Department of Archeology and Palace Management Office, Bhaktapur has also provided assistance on
the conservation and preservation of the temple.
• Many local youth clubs are involved in managing festivals, organizing awareness programs in and around
the temple area.
Impact of earthquake 2015

• Changunarayan and its associated buildings were badly

affected by the 2015 earthquake

• Historical site had turned into an area of rubbles

• Though, the main temple was not totally collapsed but

had a severe damage
Figure: Shoring supporting the temple

• In the report prepared after the earthquake, it was

mentioned that the upper part of the temple was
lowered down by 8 inches.

• Similarly, the upper part of the wall was out by 3 inches

• Other shrine were also severely damaged and collapsed

• Restoration of the complex was immediately started.

Figure: Amatya Sattal damaged due to earthquake
Conservation Methodology
 Material used

• Bricks and tiles: Mud bricks were used for constructions of wall. Clay tiles were extensively used for roof coverings and
for courtyard paving
• Timber: The main temple is decorated with one of the most finest carving found in Kathmandu valley.
Woods are used as column ,beams, rafters and for construction of stairs.
• Metals: (Copper, iron, brass, bronze ): Used on door facing, lattice-works, door lattices, torona, and pinnacles
• Yellow clay mortar
• Surkhi  
Restoration of The temple using various construction technology

Walls

• The bricks which was still in condition of use were cleaned and
reused maintaining the level.
• Some damaged brick was reproduced and replaced.
• The traditional construction of Changu Narayan employs load
 
bearing wall laid in yellow clay mortar together with secondary
Wedged shaped
brick
timber frame
Brick fragments
• The structural wall construction consists of three layers of brick with
Sun dried brick
few cross bonds
Wooden ties
In Ground floor In Upper floor
- sun dried bricks in the inner part, - wedged shaped bricks
(Dachi apa)
- brick fragments in the middle
- wedged shaped bricks (Dachi apa) on the outer surface
Restoration of The temple using various construction technology

Roofs
• The pitches of roof are made up of small rafters wood that spring Gajur
from the corners in a radial arrangement
• The roof of the temple is covered with traditional tiles called
Aenpa Rafter
• Special tiles are used for the ridges and the valley  called kopus
and dokus respectively
• Radiating rafters which are tied together by the wall plates at the
top and horizontal beam at the bottom which is again supported
by the inclined struts. Horizontal beam
• All elements are joined using wooden wedges Wall plates
• The rafters at the top most roof meet at a point on the central
post, covered with pinnacle ( Gajura) made of guilded sheet
copper.
Restoration of The temple using various construction technology
Beams, Columns and floors
• Woods are used as column ,beams, rafters and for
construction of stairs.

• During Inspection it was know that the column sizes used

during original construction was slightly small in comparison
to other temples in valley.
 
• Almost all the columns and wall plates related with
garbhagriha got inclined during the shock of earthquake

• All the rotten wooden inner posts and bands are replaced by
new strong Sal wood timber. 

• The minor cracks were filled.

Restoration of The temple using various construction technology

Openings (Wooden Doors and Window)

• Almost all the wood used and found on the temple sites are
heavily carved and are massively huge in width connection.

• After earthquake some of the parts of doors and window fell

apart due to shock and structural damage. The west window
 
slightly moved outward

• The damaged doors and window were carefully disassembled

by skilled craftsmanship from Bhaktapur.

• New woods were used with the same carvings to replaced the
damage part.
Restoration of The temple using various construction technology

Metals
Metal works on door facing, lattice-works, door lattices, torona,
and pinnacles

• These metal contained detailed patterns just like in wooden

doors and windows. It is very expensive .
 
• After earthquake the door lattice took major damage as it was
present on the corner.

• The undamaged metal work (pinnacle, torona ) were re-dusted

with gold color.

• The damaged part/dislocated parts (door lattices) were rejoined

using local craftsmanship with minimum alteration.

Figure: Torana at Changu Narayan

Restoration of The temple using various construction technology
Cornices
• The cornice has structural as well as ornamental significance in
the temple.

•  The top part of the cornice usually has a brick ledge which
serves as the base for the struts. 

• The undamaged bricks were colored just before putting it back

together at its rightful place on the temple.  
Figure : Cornice detailing at Changunarayan
Struts
• The struts are carved with 10  incarnations of Vishnu.

•  The colors were fading due to lack of maintenance and some small
cracks were seen.

• The undamaged struts were re-colored and repaired and split

halfway longitudinally were repaired and reused.
• In the temple of Changu Narayan there are 24 struts on the lower roof level and 16 struts in the upper roof levels. 

Figure : Plan of lower level struts of Changunarayan Figure : Plan of upper level struts of Changunarayan
Restoration of Shiva temple (Kileshwor mandir)
• Composite structure : Both column and brick wall bears the
load
Old timber
• Wooden columns at four corner of the temple
column

• Wooden members were added internally for structural

stability in four corners
 
• Members were tied together using horizontal ties member

• But in some parts small angles and screw were used

New bricks
• The undamaged brick remaining during earthquake were used
in the lower level where as new bricks were produced for the
use in upper level

Old bricks
 Restoration of Amatya Sattal
Damages during earthquake 2015

• The upper floor of the Sattal was completely collapsed

• The structure of the ground floor remained with internal wall only
• The outer wall of the ground floor was completely collapsed
• Fault in the traditional construction: No use of Tu apa (generally used as a tie
between internal wall and outer wall)

 
 Restoration of Amatya Sattal

• The Amatya Sattal was completely reconstructed after earthquake

• Main material used were: Brick
Surkhi
Timber
• The horizontal wooden member was added in the wall which is one of the
traditional construction technology
• This reference for the use of horizontal member was taken from the Pujari
Sattal  
• The Amatya Sattal was reconstructed in 2010 , the detail of the horizontal
band was not used at the time.
 Restoration of Amatya Sattal
Flooring

• Double layer planking was done

• Lower level plank was inclined at 45 degree and other at 90
degree
• The technology of double planking was used after the proper
structure analysis
• Approved by DOA
 
Use of Amatya Sattal

• Owned by Amatya
family of Patan
• Adaptive Re-use of
Amatya Sattal
- Living Traditional
Museum
 Project Teams

• Department of Archaeology
Er. Narayan Bohora

• Bhaktapur’s memorial protection

• John Sanday and Associates

 Ar. Shekhar Dongol- Led the revival of the shrine at Changu Narayan
Gives the technical support and implements the projects

• Heritage and Environmental Conservation Foundation Nepal

Brings Foreign funding for the implementation of the projects

• Along with the involvement of local people

Restoration project was implemented as training program for the local people