Changu Narayan is one of the oldest and most significant sites in the Kathmandu Valley, dating from before the 4th century, and classified as one of the seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu Valley. The stele at the front of the Narayan temple has one of the oldest scripts found in the valley. The main temple is home of Vishnu Narayan and the courtyard around the temple is filled with significant sculptures from the 7th century onward. Surrounding this yard is a series of grand ‘halls’ called Chaugara Sattal meaning four-sided halls, buildings restored by the Amatya and Rana families in the 19th century.  Spacious gathering halls were designed to be used by those coming to Changu for devotional purposes: rest houses for pilgrims, sites for weddings, and rooms to celebrate a variety of cultural purposes.  Changu Narayan is one of the four main Vishnu temples at the four directions within the Kathmandu Valley.

The temple complex is actively used every day, and many people come for festivals.  Festival dates change every year according to the lunar calendar, but approximately:

• August has three festivals:  Naag Panchami, Gai Jatra, Krishna Janastami; 
• September:  Teej; 
• March:  Holi; 
• May:  Changu Narayan Festival