Asgiriya Monastery
Kandy, Sri Lanka
About
The Asgiri Maha Viharaya in the city of Kandy is the other monastic centre of the Siyam Nikaya. Owing to "Asgiriya Talpata" this temple is concerned to be older than the Malwatu Viharaya.All the rulers of the Kandyan Kingdom have contributed to the development of Asgiri Maha Viharaya. Monks of this Chapter safeguarded the Tooth Relic, during troublesome times of monarch. Asgiri Maha Viharaya was built by Commander Siriwardhana of Parakramabahu IV in Kurunegala era (1305-1335 A.D.). The monks to take up residence here was sent from Valasgala hermitage in Yapahuva. During Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe period, his Commander-in-Chief Urulewatte Wijesundara Rajakaruna Seneviratne built a new temple near the old one and the whole temple complex became to known as "Heyagiri Wijesundararama". During the reign of Rajadhi Rajasinha (1779-1797 A.D.), the streets of Kandy were changed and owing to this the old buildings of the Viharaya had to be changed and a new temple was built at "Udamadapota" as" Pahala Pansala "or lower temple. The reconstruction for the second time took place during the reign of Vimaladharmasuriya II (1687 - 1707). Parana Viharaya consists a tranquilize image of Buddha under a Makara Thorana (Arch). A new "Aluth Vihare" was built by the Pilimathalawe Adhikaram in 1801.Asgiriya also has two poya-ges. "Gedige Viharaya" in the "Adahana Maluwa" or the Royal Cremation Ground is an important building in this Viharaya. This viharaya was constructed by Senasammatha Vickramabahu in memory of queen Chandrawathie. It has a A uncommen image shrine known as "Rathnabanu". The viharaya had three maluwas or terraces, Uda (upper) maluwa, Meda (centre) Maluwa, Palle (lower) Maluwa. The cremation of the Royal family members was at the Meda Maluwa, therefore the temple in the premises was known as the "Adahana Maluwa Gedige Viharaya".Adahanamaluve Gedige Viharaya plays a significant role in the Kandy Esala Perahara in that in final night the Relic Casket of the Dalada Maligava is deposited there until the commencement of the last day Perahara which begins from this site.
