7°06'39.6"N 79°59'22.7"E

අස්ගිරිය රජමහා විහාරය ගම්පහ

Asgiriya Raja Maha Viharaya Gampaha

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Gampaha

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Asgiriya Raja Maha Vihara (Sinhala: අස්ගිරිය රජ මහා විහාරය) is an ancient Cave temple situated in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka. The temple is located on top of a hillock on the Gampaha - Minuwangoda road and approximately 2 km (1.2 mi) away from Gampaha town. The temple has been formally recognised by the Government as an archaeological site in Sri Lanka. The designation was declared on 22 November 2002 under the government Gazette number 1264.

It is said that the name of Asgiri was formed after the lost of horse of Prince Uttiya, the brother of King Kelanitissa, in this area.

History

It is believed that the history of this temple goes to the reign of King Valagamba (89-77 BC). According to the legends King Valagamba, who fled from Anuradhapura after invasions from South India in 104 BC, stayed in this historical places from time to time. During the reign of King Parakramabahu VI this Asgiriya Rajamaha Vihara had received the patronage by provincial king Sakalakala Wallabha.