Sri Lanka: A monk unlocks the doors to the Asgiriya Vihara (temple), Kandy. Asgiriya Vihara, the ‘Monastery of the Horse Mountain’, was built by the family of Pilima Talauve in the early 19th century, on a plot adjoining the ancient royal cremation ground. The Asgiriya Vihara is a rather smallish, inconspicuous temple, but as one of the seats of Goyigama religious power, of great significance. From the early 19th century onwards, during the Esala Perahera, the sacred Tooth Relic would be deposited for the last night of the festival at the Asgiriya Vihara.

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Size: 5225px × 3338px
Photo credit: © Pictures From History / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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