Cāňgu Nārāyaṇa Temple
Bhaktapur, Nepal.

Image Courtesy: Karin Evink Markert

Changu Narayan, one of the oldest temple in Nepal, is located in Bhaktapur district. It is only around 17 km from the capital city, Kathmandu.

Surf the Google Maps for the location of Changu here:

Story of Cāṅgu Nārāyaṇa Kalaśa Jātrā

Cāṅgu Nārāyaṇa Priest Chakra Dharānanda Rājopādhyāya (center), and his assistants during the Kalaśa Jātrā.

Photo: Abhas D Rajopadhyaya (5 Jan 2015), Kathmandu

Once at the beginning of Kali Yuga (the fourth epoch said to be marked by falsehood, treachery, mendacity), Cāṅgu Nārāyaṇa thought of going back to his heavenly-abode, Baikuṇṭha. He had known that he would not be revered as in earlier yugas (epochs) now in Kali Yuga. He then set on his way to bid good-bye to Goddess Taleju Bhavānī (also called Tulajā Bhavānī), the main deity inside the King’s Palace at Hanumān Ḍhokā.

Taleju Bhavānī came to know about Cāṅgu Nārāyaṇa’s plan. She thought that it would be bad for people of this holy land if Cāṅgu Nārāyaṇa returned to Baikuṇṭha.

Knowing that Cāṅgu Nārāyaṇa could reach at the palace any moment, she discussed the matter with the King.

“Put empty and broken clay-pots on his way. That will stop him from making this long journey,” Goddess Taleju ordered the King, “that will bring bad omen to set on his journey.”

Broken clay pots kept to show ill-omen to Lord Cāṅgu Nārāyaṇa.

Photo: Abhas D Rajopadhyaya (5 Jan 2015), Kathmandua

And then Cāṅgu Nārāyaṇa saw empty and broken clay-pots all the way, until he reached Taleju Gate. He saw this as a bad omen to set on the journey. He then decided to go back to Cāṅgu Nārāyaṇa hill.

The King came at the Taleju Gate and worshipped Cāṅgu Nārāyaṇa. He then took Cāṅgu Nārāyaṇa inside his palace with due respect, and paid homage to him. Cāṅgu Nārāyaṇa, unable to set on his journey, eventually returned to Cāṅgu hill.

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* This story was narrated by the priest of Changu Narayan temple, Mr. Chakra Dharananada Rajopadhyaya based on the local legends of Changu area. Attempts have been made to present the story as it was narrated, without any changes except in semantics.

* The story has also been published in Amalekh Weekly, a publication dedicated to cultural studies from Gabahal, Patan. I have included this in another blog: http://abhasdr.wordpress.com/2010/01/23/a-story-of-changu-narayan-journey/ and http://folktalesnepal.blogspot.com/2015/01/story-of-cangu-narayana-kalasa-jatra.html.