It is the headquarters of the Asgiriya chapter of Siyam Nikaya,[3] one of the two Buddhist monasteries that holds the custodianship of sacred tooth relic of Buddha kept in Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy.
[5] 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 monks of Asgiriya chapter have often safeguarded the Tooth Relic on behalf of the ruling monarch during troublesome times such as invasions and rebellions.
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.
One of the other historically important sites standing in the Asgiri Maha Vihara premises is the "Adahana Maluwa" or the Royal Cremation Ground of Kandyan kingdom.
[5][6] The following is a list of chief incumbents of Asgiri Maha Viharaya, Kandy who are also the Mahanayaka theros of Asgiriya chapter of Siyam Nikaya.