Narayanhiti Temple (Chaturvyooha Temple)
A Historic Marvel in Kathmandu
Narayanhiti Temple (Chaturvyooha Temple)
The Narayanhiti Temple, also known as the Chaturvyooha Temple, is a remarkable historical and architectural wonder situated at the heart of Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. This sacred temple holds immense cultural, religious, and historical significance within the region, serving as a testament to Nepal's rich heritage.
The Narayanhiti Temple is located within the premises of the Narayanhiti Palace, and it holds exceptional historical and artistic value. The deity worshipped in this complex, Lord Narayana, is referred to as the world's unique historical Chaturvyooh Narayan. According to the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Vishnu incarnates in multiple forms to protect all creatures, and the forms of Narayana, especially Par Vyuha and Vibhava, hold great importance.
In the Narayanhiti Narayansthan temple, there are four different forms of Lord Narayana engraved in a single stone, representing the Chaturvyooh form, with Vasudeva in the east, Shankarshan (Balaram) in the south, Pradhyumna in the west, and Aniruddha in the north direction. Worship and prayers to Shri Chaturvyuh Narayan are believed to save 51 generations of ancestors.
The temple premises are adorned with various sacred trees like Banyan, Sacred Fig, White Kutch (Bar), Peepal, and Shami. Additionally, statues of several deities grace the temple, including Balaji Hanuman ji, Garuda ji, Ram, Lakshman, Hanuman, Siddhi Vinayak Lord Ganesh, Mata Kumari, Tripurasundari Devi, 18-handed Mahishasurmardini Devi, and Shri Ajima.
The Bhajan Griha or hymn-singing place within the temple is historically significant, being considered the birthplace of Nepali classical music. It gained this recognition after King Mahendra offered Shodash musical instruments to classical music seekers in 2016 Bikram Sambat for devotional and classical music programs.
The former Narayanhiti Royal Palace, now known as the Narayanhiti Museum and Narayanhiti Path, is named after this religious site. Devotees who pay homage to the four Narayans of Kathmandu believe that visiting the Narayanhiti Narayansthan Religious Site brings blessings of power, prosperity, security, and salvation in life. The temple stands as a symbol of faith, culture, and tradition in the vibrant city of Kathmandu.
The Chaturvyooha Foundation has several key objectives that guide its mission and activities:
