A short walk north of Durbar Square, this Buddhist monastery complex is built around a gilt-roofed main shrine that is genuinely golden — covered in gold and silver repoussé work. The courtyard fills with worshippers on religious days and has a real, lived-in quality. Non-Hindus are welcome but must remove leather items before entering. The resident tortoise in the courtyard is considered sacred.
Hiranya Varna Mahavihara (Golden Temple)
Gold and silver repoussé Buddhist monastery near Durbar Square
A story
The temple's name means 'Golden-Coloured Monastery' in Sanskrit. According to tradition, it was founded in the 12th century by King Bhaskar Varma. A small army of priests carries out an elaborate daily ritual cycle that has continued largely uninterrupted for centuries.