Asgiri Maha Viharaya was founded by Commander Siriwardhana on the instructions of
Parakramabahu IV of Kurunegala (1305–1335 A.D.). Situated north of the
Kandy Lake, this temple is believed to be considerably older than the
Malwathu Maha Viharaya, the other monastic centre of the Siyam Nikaya. The original buildings were set up in the premises of present-day
Trinity College. The Buddhist monks who took residence in this monastery were sent from Valasgala hermitage in
Yapahuwa. The name Valasgala is translated into
Pali as "Acchagiri" and the present
Sinhalese name Asgiri is derived from it. According to another legend Asgiri was named after queen Chandrawathie, the mother of king
Vikramabahu who was cremated in the cremation ground of
Adahana Maluva at Asgiriya. In the history of
Kandyan Kingdom many kings have contributed much for the development of Asgiri Viharaya. The monks of Asgiriya Chapter have often safeguarded the tooth relic on behalf of the ruling monarch during troublesome times such as invasions and rebellions. Asgiriya Monastery consists of the "Purana Viharaya" or the 'old temple', "Meda Pansala" or the 'middle temple', the "Aluth Viharaya" or the 'new temple' and the "Gedige Vihara". The middle temple known today as "Meda Pansala" was built by Meegastanne Dissawe of Dumbara in 1767 and the new temple was built by Pilimathalawe Dissawe a year later in 1768. Parana Viharaya or the old temple contains a serene statue of Buddha under a Makara Thorana (Dragon Arch), and the interior is very similar to that of Gedige Viharaya. There are also two statues of deities "
Natha" and "
Saman" to the right and left side of the Buddha statue respectively. A new "Aluth Viharaya" or the new temple was modified by Pilimathalawe Adhikaram, a son of Pilimathalawe Dissawe in 1801. Asgiri Viharaya also consists of a recumbent Buddha statue carved out of rock, which is thirty six feet in length and two 'poya ge's, which are used as the assembly halls for the meetings of the monastic fraternity. ==Adahana Maluwa==