Asgiri Maha Viharaya (Kandy) | Headquarters of Asgiriya Chapter

Asgiri Maha Viharaya (Kandy) | Headquarters of Asgiriya Chapter
Not to be confused with Asgiriya Viharaya, Gampaha Asgiri Maha Viharaya (Sinhala: අස්ගිරි මහා විහාර සංකීර්ණය) is a complex of Buddhist temples situated within Kandy city limits in Kandy District, Sri Lanka.  It is the headquarters of the Asgiriya Chapter of Siyam Nikaya, one of the two Buddhist monasteries that hold the custodianship of the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha housed in the Temple of the Tooth . The Mahanayake Thera (the chief monk) of this temple, together with the Mahanayaka Thera of Malwathu Maha Viharaya and Diyawadana Nilame, play the role of the three custodians of the sacred Tooth Relic. The Asgiri Vihara complex consists of a collection of Buddhist temples and monk residences located in close proximity to each other. They include Asgiri Gedige Viharaya, Hayagiri Wijayasundararamaya, Maha Viharaya and several other temples (Abeyawardana, 2004). History Establishment As mentioned in historical records, a general named Siriwardhana on the instructions of King Parakramabahu…