The role of the Asgiriya Gedige Raja Maha Viharaya in the Dalada Perahera
Sculptures and murals in the Asgiriya Gedige Viharaya
As the historic Senkadagala (Kandy) Dalada Perahera concluded with the Daval (day) perahera yesterday, the role played by the Asgiriya Gedige Viharaya on the last night of the Randoli Perahera comes into focus. After the Perahera concludes with the Maligawa perahera entering the main Wahalkada, (entrance) the Perahera Karanduwa (casket ) is taken in procession to the Asgiriya Gedige Rajamaha Viharaya and the devala perahera proceed to Getembe for the Diya Kepeema (water cutting ceremony) at the Getembe Thota (ferry) in the early hours of the following day, which is Poya.
On its return journey, the Randoli of the Devala are placed in the Ganadevi Kovila in Katukelle until the afternoon. Thereafter at an auspicious time, the Devala perahera proceeds to join the Maligawa perahera which leaves the Gedige Rajamaha Viharaya with the Perahera Karanduwa. After circling round the Palace square three times, the Karanduwa is replaced at the Sri Dalada Maligawa and the Devala Perahera proceeds to their respective devala for the final rituals.
Explaining the significance of placing the Perahera Karanduwa at the Gedige Viharaya, Most Ven. Wedaruwe Upali Anunayake Thera of the Asgiriya Gedige Raja Maha Viharaya said the Viharaya is also known as the Dalada Gaman Maligawa.
During the time of the Portuguese occupation, Hiripitiye Diyawadana Nilame who lived in Kotte secretly handed over the Sacred Tooth Relic to King Mayadunne, who sent it to Kuruwita in Delgamuwa for safety. After many years it was brought to Kandy and on the first night was placed at the Asgiriya Gedige Viharaya and all the Theva duties were performed. From the time of the Kandyan kings, the Karanduwa (relic casket) is placed in the Gedige Viharaya on the last night of the Randoli Perahera in remembrance and as a mark of respect for keeping the casket in the viharaya when it was first brought to Senkadagala.
Most Venerable Wedaruwe Upali Anunayake Thera
The Asgiriya Gedige Viharaya is one of the oldest viharas in Senkadagala. It was built by King Wickramabahu III of Gampola in memory of his mother Queen Chandrawathi, also known as Asgiriye Deviyo. The Bodhi tree in the viharaya too was planted in her memory. Originally, there had been three Bo Maluwas. Skilled rock craftsmen have made the entire viharaya in blocks of rock with carvings and Sinha (lion) motifs. There are paintings which depict Jataka stories and other Buddhist symbols. The roof is also of rock with a small Dagaba on top.
The Ven. Upali Maha Thera who arrived from Siam to revive Upasampada built a Poya Seemawa close to the Viharaya. The first Upasampada with the patronage of King Keerthi Sri Rajasinha was conducted on Vesak Poya in 1765 in this seemawa, with the participation of Ven. Urulewatte Maha Nayaka Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter.
Once the Perahera Karanduwa is placed in the Gedige Viharaya, it is in the custody of the Most Ven. Mahanaya Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter and the resident bhikkhus of the Gedige Viharaya. After the viharaya is locked, the key is in the possession of the Mahanayake Thera. The same Theva (duty) is conducted as performed in the Sri Dalada Maligawa. The Pallemale Rala from the Sri Dalada Maligawa is present in his official capacity to assist the monks. The morning and afternoon dana (offering) is brought from the Maligawa in a perahera. The Kavikara Maduwa and the Alaththi Amma perform their duties at the viharaya.
The pillar in memory of Ven Upali Maha Thera of Siam
With the placing of the Karanduwa, the Poya Hevisi (drumming) continues until the Daval Perahera. A Basnayake Nilame (Chieftain) represents the Diyawadana Nilame and stays in the viharaya. All these duties which are to be conducted are mentioned in the presence of the Mahanayake Thera, the Diyawadana Nilame and the Basnayake Nilames.
The Asgiriya Gedige premises is also known as the Adahana Maluwa as Kings and their families were cremated there. The tombs are no longer to be seen –they were destroyed when the Kandy-Matale Railway line was constructed. However, in memory of Ven Upali Maha Thera of Siam, a pillar has been erected at the spot where he is believed to have been cremated and many devotees from Thailand visit to pay their respects to the Thera even today.
Ven. Theras of the Gedige Viharaya taught the young Princes. As a student King Narendra Sinha had studied in this Viharaya under Ven. Golahawatte Dharmakeerthi Maha Thera. After Narendra Sinha became king, as Guru Panduru he had gifted land from Bahirawakanda, land from the boundary of Udawattakelle and land near Mahayaya with the ela (stream) as its boundary. Ven. Golahawatte Dhammadassi Thera, a student of Ven. Dharmakeerthi Maha Thera taught King Kirthi Sri Rajasinha during his childhood. These two Theras were given the honorary title of Rajaguru.
The Asgiriya MahaViharaya has three Pansalas. The Gedige Rajamaha Viharaya belongs to the Meda Pansala. The Meda Pansala land named Udamadapatha was bought by Meegastenne Dumbara Disave, who built a Sangharamaya and offered it to Ven. Idaluwagoda Dhammapala Thera as Guru Panduru (gift). Galagoda Maha Nilame donated the Uduwela Hantane Vihara. In the past the Asgiriya Gedige Rajamaha Viharaya was in possession of a considerable acreage of land. The Asgiriya land was divided as Uda Maluwa, Meda Maluwa and Pahala Maluwa. The Viharaya was in the Uda Maluwa. The balance was used as the cremation grounds of Kings and their mothers. Therefore Asgiriya Viharaya is also known as Adahana Maluwa.
The Asgiriya Gedige Viharaya belongs to the Meda Pansala lineage and Ven. Indawalugoda Dhammapala Maha Thera is considered a pioneer of this Sangha Parapura.