Hiraṇyavarṇa Mahāvihāra (Nepali: हिरण्यवर्ण महाविहार), also Kwa Baha: (Nepali: क्वबहा:) informally called The Golden Temple with literal meaning "Gold-colored Great Monastery", is a historical vihara (Buddhist monastery) situated in Patan, Nepal.

[2] This golden pagoda of Shakyamuni Buddha was built in the twelfth century by King Bhaskar Varman.

Inside the upper storey of the pagoda is the golden image and a large prayer wheel.

[8] Stepping further inside one enters an open corridor, with a disused tutedhara (drinking fountain) built into the wall on the left.

[4] Images of Mahakala and Ganesha, protectors of the other gods of the Kathmandu Valley, guarding the entrance of a vihara is a regular occurrence in Nepal.

This torana was originally located at the main shrine, but was replaced there by a silver copy, donated during the reign of king Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah (1881-1911).

The milk flows through the spout outside of one of the banisters and falls on a stone that symbolises Vasuki, king of serpents.

[8][2] The lower facade of the temple shows scenes from the life of the Buddha, for instance, starting from his birth.

[8] The main Shakyamuni Buddha shrine is guarded by two metal images of Lokeshvara, seated on lions, who in turn are each standing on an elephant.

[10] The Shakyamuni Buddha, locally also known as Kwabaju, is a large silver image, covered entirely with drapes and ornaments, except for the face.

Most notable is the small figure of Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna, although some claim it is actually Vajradhara, the primordial Buddha.

[10][4] The principle priest or Bapacha of Hiranya Varna Mahavihar is a boy, always fewer than twelve years old.

Such a reading can be requested by a devotee, for instance, on special occasions like a wedding or when someone in the family is ill.[8][4] In Patan, the tradition of reciting the Pragya Paramita is believed to have started about 400 years ago.

[16] Hiranya Varna Mahavihar is one of four places in Nepal where a Pragya Paramita can be found and the only one in Patan.

[16] Inside the buildings on the ground floor of the complex three more chapels can be found, dedicated to Tara, Vajrasattva and Namasangiti respectively.