Narayan, or Vishnu, is the preserver of creation to the Hindus. The temple of Changunarayan is said to be the most ancient temple in the Kathmandu Valley. Although it was rebuilt in 1702, its origin goes back to the 4th Century. Located on the top of a spur rising in the eastern part of the valley, it is 22 kilometers from Kathmandu. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument List in 1979.