Malwatu Maha Viharaya, Kandy is one of the great centers of the Sangha which belongs to the Siam Nikaya. It is separated from the temple of tooth relic by a beautiful lake. Malwatu Maha Viharaya, Kandy is a monastery that comprises two sections.
The first section of the Malwatu Maha Viharaya, Kandy is called the "Uposatha Viharaya" lies on the right. It is popularly called the "Poyamalu Viharaya". The other section consists of the octagonal structure of the "Pushparama Viharaya" or the "Malwatu Viharaya". The latter was built by Senasammata Vikramabahu (1473-1511) and is the older structure among these two. It had a two-storied Uposathagaraya or Ordination Hall and a Caitya or a Dagaba adjacent to it. Chronicles narrate that later he constructed 86 other monasteries in Kandy.
Malwatu Maha Viharaya, Kandy was the residence of only three monks who held important religious positions. One of the dwelling places was called the "Sangaraja Pansala", which was dedicated to Velivita Sri Sarankara Thero. Two other cells, called the "Thibbotuwawe Pansala" and the "Poyamalu Viharaya", were for the chief monk Thibbotuwawe Thero. The only other person who lived here was "Moratota" who was the raj guru or the King's Teacher. His dwelling place was called the "Meda Pansala". Today the "Sangaraja Pansala" or the "Welivita Pansala" is the store-house of all the personal belongings that the great Velivita Sri Sarankara Thero used. Another room is the "Thibbotuwawe Pansala" which exhibits the belongings of Thibbotuwawe Thero.
However the number of residential monks slowly increased. Mostly the high priests stay in this monastery. In fact the Malwatu Maha Viharaya, Kandy today is home to the monks who belong to the executive council or the "Karaka Maha Sangha Sabha". The Maha Nayake is the Viharadhipati or the chief incumbent of the monastery and one of the three joint custodians of the Tooth Relic live in the Malwatu Maha Viharaya in Kandy. The other eminent religious personalities who live here are the Maha Nayaka of Asgiriyia Maha Viharaya and the Diyavadana Nilame or the lay custodian.
The Malwatu Maha Viharaya is not just one of the best tourist destinations in Kandy but for the council members and the monks it is an important venue for meetings and gatherings. "Poya-ge" is the hall where such meetings of the Sangha Sabha are hosted and also many ceremonies are organized here. Inside the hall a beautiful image of the Buddha has been installed.
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