Temple · Hindu
Jagannarayan Temple (Char Narayan)
जगन्नारायण मन्दिर
Lord Vishnu (as Narayan)·Built 1565 AD·Lalitpur
One of the oldest temples in Patan Durbar Square, this 1565 two-tiered Vishnu pagoda anchors the southern end of the temple row with erotic roof struts and ancient stone carvings.
Dedicated to
Lord Vishnu (as Narayan)
Period
Built 1565 AD
Hours
Dawn to dusk
Admission
Free
Neighborhood
Patan Durbar Square (south end)
The Jagannarayan Temple — also known as Char Narayan — is one of the oldest surviving temples in Patan Durbar Square, dating to 1565 AD. Predating the main Malla building campaign that produced Krishna Mandir and Vishwanath Temple, this two-tiered pagoda dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Narayan anchors the southern end of the square's magnificent temple row.
The temple sits on a stepped plinth and features richly carved wooden roof struts with erotic figures — a motif shared with the Vishwanath Temple nearby. Various stone and metal sculptures of gods and goddesses adorn the exterior, including images of Vishnu's incarnations.
Jagannarayan's significance lies not just in its age but in its position as the first major temple visitors encounter when approaching Patan Durbar Square from the south. Together with Bhimsen Temple at the north end, it bookends the square's western temple row — one of the most concentrated displays of Newar pagoda architecture anywhere in the valley.
The temple remains an active place of worship, with daily pujas drawing Patan's Hindu community. During festivals honouring Vishnu, the temple becomes a focal point for devotees.
Folio III
Nearby Sacred Sites
Places within a short walk that help turn this stop into a small sacred cluster.
Vishwanath Temple
A handsome two-tiered Shiva pagoda in Patan Durbar Square, guarded by stone elephants and adorned with erotic roof-strut carvings in the classic Newar tradition.
Co Bahal (Kacchapal Giri Mahavihar)
Kacchapal Giri Mahavihar (Co Bahal) is one of the 18 traditional bahals of Patan — the 'Tortoise Mountain Monastery', completing the sacred network of Newar Buddhist courtyards.
Krishna Mandir
Nepal's finest stone shikhara temple, built in 1637 by King Siddhi Narsingh Malla — a three-tiered masterpiece with 21 golden pinnacles and exquisite Mahabharata and Ramayana bas-reliefs.
Hari Shankar Temple
A three-tiered pagoda dedicated to the rare combined form of Vishnu and Shiva — built by a Malla princess and known for its vivid roof-strut carvings of hellish punishments.
Chyasin Deval (Octagonal Krishna Temple)
A striking octagonal stone shikhara at the entrance to Patan Durbar Square — built as a memorial to the queens of King Yoganarendra Malla who committed sati upon his death.
Coda
Continue the Pilgrimage
Part of
Patan Durbar Square
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