About Changunarayan Temple

Changu Narayan is an ancient Hindu temple, located on a high hilltop that is also known as Changu or Dolagiri in Changunarayan Municipality of Bhaktapur District, Nepal. This hill is about 7 miles (or 12 km) east of Kathmandu and a few miles north of Bhaktapur. The Manohara River flows beside the hill. The temple is considered to be one of the oldest temple in Nepal. The temple is dedicated to lord Vishnu and is held in special reverence by the Hindu people.

The temple was surrounded by champak tree forest and a small village known as Changu. A Kashmiri king is said to have given his daughter, Champak, in marriage to the prince of Bhaktapur. The temple is considered to be named after her.

About Nagarkot

Nagarkot (Nepali: नगरकोट) is a former Village Development Committee located 32 km east of Kathmandu, Nepal in Bhaktapur District in Bagmati Province and as of 2015 part of Nagarkot Municipality. At the time of the 2011 census it had a population of 4,571 and had 973^[1] houses in it.^[2] At an elevation of 2,195 meters, it is considered one of the most scenic spots in Bhaktapur District. It is known for a sunrise view of the Himalayas including Mount Everest as well as other peaks of the Himalayan range of eastern Nepal. Nagarkot also offers a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley.^[3] The scenic beauty of the place makes it a very popular hiking route for tourists.^[4] It is located approximately 7000 ft (2000 m) above sea level and 28 km from Kathmandu International Airport.

Nagarkot commands one of the broadest views of the Himalayas in the Kathmandu valley (8 Himalayan ranges of Nepal out of 13 from here). The ranges include Annapurna range, Manaslu range, Ganesh himal range, Langtang range, Jugal range, Rolwaling range, Mahalangur range (Everest range) and Numbur range with views of the Kathmandu valley and Shivapuri National Park.