Changunarayan festival melds art, literature, and heritage

KATHMANDU: The historic Changunarayan Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, came alive with colors and words as it hosted the grand Changunarayan Art and Literature Festival on the occasion of Bhanu Jayanti.

At the northern courtyard of the temple, internationally renowned artist Mukesh Shrestha from Sirutar, Suryabinayak, was seen intently brushing vivid colors onto a white canvas, capturing the natural beauty of the nearby Manohara Plain.

Shrestha, who has represented Nepal through hundreds of artworks in over seven countries and once sold a single painting for Rs 2.7 million, was one among many artists participating in the open-air exhibition.

Alongside him, Jujubhai Bans Shrestha of Bode, famous for piercing his tongue eight times during the annual Bode festival, revealed his lesser-known identity as a painter by illustrating the Saraswati Temple located in Saraswatikhyel.

Dipendra Man Banepali from Khwopa, who balances a job at the Curriculum Development Centre with his artistic passion, depicted a Tamang Selo dance on canvas. Similarly, local artist Saroj Lamichhane painted the iconic Rani Jhula (suspension bridge) near Nagarkot.

In a tribute to heritage, Anjan Adhikari painted an exact replica of a traditional homestay in Bastola village, capturing its original architecture before it was destroyed by the 2015 earthquake.

Other artists contributed diverse works:

• Parbat Shrestha painted the Maha Manjushree Temple at Saraswati Sthan.

• Anshuram Khaiju illustrated the Nagarkot View Point.

• Mangalkrishna Prajapati captured the Mountain Range.

• Rajan Shrestha painted the Jyotirlingeshwar Mahadev Temple.

• Ram Sharan Prajapati recreated the Changunarayan Temple.

• Gaurimaya Koju painted the Valmikeswor Mahadev Temple.

• Dipeshman Singh Pradhan portrayed the Bojhini Dam.

• Jhalak KC, Chandra Shrestha, Radheshyam Karmaacharya, and Kishor Nakarmi Gautam added works reflecting Buddhist heritage, Tamang culture, Tripura Sundari, and Lord Buddha.

As brushes danced across canvas, poets began scripting verses inspired by the artworks and the sacred surroundings. Renowned national poets like Dr. Sulochana Manandhar, Puru Lamsal, Sneh Sayami, Shravan Mukarung, Narayan Shrestha, Geeta Tripathi, Mani Lohani, Abhay Shrestha, Sandhya Pahadi, Radhika Kalpit, Harihar Timilsina, Dr. Saroj Dhital, and Bimala Tumkhewa participated in live poetry readings. Their poems celebrated Changunarayan’s majestic heritage sites including Jyotirlingeshwar, Matsyanarayan, Nagarkot Viewpoint, Tamang dances, Trishul, Rani Jhula, Maha Manjushree, Saraswati Temple, and more.

“This is the first time Changunarayan has become a living confluence of art and literature,” said Chief Priest Chakradhar Rajopadhyay, expressing joy at the cultural synergy. “Such events help bring the temple’s story to life and draw attention to its historical significance.”

Temple priest Shankar Bhatta emphasized the need for increased global promotion of Changunarayan’s heritage, arguing it has long been under-publicized. “If properly showcased, this place can attract streams of international visitors,” he said.

Mayor Jeevan Khatri of Changunarayan Municipality described the festival as a creative strategy within the broader Nagarkot Visit Year 2082 campaign. “This festival is not just about showcasing artworks or poems,” he said, “It’s about deeply connecting creators with the spirit of Changunarayan and sparking tourism through culture.”

The municipality’s deputy mayor Ramesh Budhathoki shared ambitions of attracting up to 1 million tourists through events across all nine wards during the Visit Year.

Nepal Academy Chancellor Bhupal Rai hailed the initiative, saying, “The blending of brush and pen to depict history, spirituality, and heritage is a boost not just for tourism but also for artists and writers alike.”

Glimpse Into Changunarayan’s Rich Legacy

Situated 16 km east of Kathmandu and 5,000 feet above sea level in Bhaktapur district, Changunarayan Temple is believed to be Nepal’s oldest religious structure, dating back to 323 AD, built by Lichhavi King Haridatta Varma.

Later, King Mandev installed the revered Garuda statue in 521 AD. Known also as Champaknayaran and Garudnarayan, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and its interior features a four-armed Vishnu idol seated on Garuda, along with stone, metal, and wooden carvings representing deities like Ganga, Yamuna, Durga, and Shiva.

Its quadrangular, two-storey structure, embellished with sacred toranas and rich iconography, remains a testament to Nepal’s deep-rooted cultural and religious traditions. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1969, Changunarayan continues to stand as a sacred symbol of faith, art, and history.

As the municipality pushes forward with its Visit Year campaign, the fusion of painting and poetry seen in the Art and Literature Festival may just be the catalyst that transforms Changunarayan into a global cultural destination.