Description of the attraction
Malvathu Maha Viharaya is one of the oldest Buddhist sanghas (communities) of the Siam Nikaya monastic order. Located on the lake where the Tooth Relic Temple in Kandy is located, Malvathu Maha Viharaya consists of two structures made for the residence of monks. The first, Uposatha Viharaya, is also called Poyamala Viharaya, and the second, Pushparama Viharaya, is called Malvathu Viharaya and is a newly built octagonal building. The older Poyamalu Viharaya is said to have been built in the late 15th or early 16th century by King Senasammat Vikramabahu.
Historians suggest that Vikramabahu built 86 other monasteries for monks from the Malvathu and Asgiri Viharayas fraternities. Malvathu Maha Viharaya was originally built to house only three people. Sangaraha Pansala was intended for the great monk Velivit Sarankar Tepo, Sibotuvave Pansala and Poyamalu Viharaya were built for the chief monk Sibotuvave Tepo, and Meda Pansala was built for the king's teacher, Raja Guru. Today, as the number of monks is steadily increasing, the entire executive council of Karake monks Maha Sangha Sabha resides in Malvathu Maha Viharaya. Maha Nayak lives there as the head priest of the monastery, as well as one of the protectors of the Tooth of the Buddha. Two other guardians also live here. There are other religious figures living in the monastery, such as the lay keeper, Jiayadana Nilame.
The conference room where the meetings and ceremonies of the Sangha Sabha take place is called Poyage. Inside this hall is a powerful Buddha statue. Functioning as a meeting place for the sangha, Malvathu Maha Viharaya attracts a large number of tourists every year.
