Hiranyavarna Mahavihara

Hiranyavarna Mahavihara, popularly known as the Golden Temple, is a celebrated Buddhist monastery in the heart of Patan's old town. Its richly gilded facade, intricate metal work, and stunning courtyard make it one of the most visually spectacular religious sites in Nepal.Dating back to the 12th century, the monastery remains an active place of Buddhist worship where monks and devotees perform daily puja (rituals) and the complex hosts elaborate festivals throughout the year.

The monastery is properly Kwa Bahah, and it is maintained by the Shakya and Vajracharya families of its own Newar Buddhist community rather than by an outside order. The gilded shrine, the tympanum above the door and the pair of stone elephants at the entrance come from successive rebuildings from the 12th century onward. It stands a few minutes north of Patan Durbar Square.