Is Asgiriya Maha Viharaya open to tourists?

Yes, the monastery welcomes respectful visitors. It is an active place of worship, so appropriate dress (covered shoulders and knees, shoes removed at shrine entrances) is required. There is no fixed entry fee, and the grounds are generally accessible during daylight hours.

What is the Asgiriya chapter of Siyam Nikaya?

The Siyam Nikaya is the oldest Buddhist monastic order re-established in Sri Lanka, founded in 1753 under King Kirti Sri Rajasinha with the help of monks from Thailand. The Asgiriya chapter is one of its two principal divisions, headquartered at Asgiriya Maha Viharaya in Kandy, and shares custodianship of the Sacred Tooth Relic alongside the Malwathu chapter.

What is the Adahana Maluwa at Asgiriya?

The Adahana Maluwa is the historic cremation ground of the kings of the Kandyan Kingdom, located within the Asgiriya monastery complex. It is a walled enclosure with ceremonial monuments marking the sites of royal cremations conducted with Buddhist rites. It is considered an important historical site for understanding the relationship between the Kandyan monarchy and the Buddhist Sangha.

How far is Asgiriya Maha Viharaya from the Temple of the Tooth Relic?

The two sites are close neighbours in central Kandy, typically around one to two kilometres apart. A tuk-tuk ride between them takes under ten minutes, and both can comfortably be visited on the same half-day itinerary.

What are the main structures inside Asgiriya Maha Viharaya?

The complex includes four main sections: the Purana Viharaya (Old Temple), the Meda Pandala (Middle Temple), the Aluth Viharaya (New Temple), and the Gedige Vihara, a stone shrine room with South Indian architectural influences. The Adahana Maluwa royal cremation grounds are also within the monastery precincts.

Can I visit Asgiriya during the Esala Perahera?

The Asgiriya chapter plays a prominent ceremonial role in the Esala Perahera, Kandy's famous annual procession. During the festival period the monastery sees heightened religious activity, and the overall atmosphere across Kandy is festive and crowded. If you are visiting specifically for the Perahera, booking accommodation and transport well in advance is strongly advisable.

Is there a dress code for visiting Asgiriya Maha Viharaya?

Yes. As with all Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka, visitors should cover their shoulders and knees, and remove shoes before entering any shrine room or indoor worship space. Sarongs are sometimes available at the entrance for those who need them. Respectful, quiet behaviour is expected throughout the compound.

Asgiriya Maha Viharaya

Asgiriya Maha Viharaya is situated north of the iconic Kandy Lake. It is the headquarters of the Asgiriya chapter of the Siyam Nikaya, which is one of the two Buddhist monasteries in custody of the sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha, kept at the Temple of the Tooth Relic. The temple consists of “Purana Viharaya” (Old Temple), “Meda Pandala” (Middle Temple), Aluth Viharaya” (New Temple) and the “Gedige Vihara”. The “Adahana Maluwa” which is the cremation grounds of the Kings of Kandy is a historically important site of the Asgiriya monastery.