Avukana Buddha Statue
A magnificent 12 metre standing Buddha carved from a single granite rock in the 5th century, its detail so fine that rain running off the nose is said to fall between the toes.
Near the serene Kala Wewa reservoir, built by King Dhatusena in the 5th century AD, a colossal Buddha statue stands carved directly from a single rock boulder, reaching an impressive 46 feet in height atop its lotus flower pedestal. Most scholars believe the Aukana Buddha was carved during King Dhatusena's own reign between 459 and 477 CE, though other historians have argued for a later dating, possibly the 8th or 9th century, or even attributed it to King Parakramabahu the Great in the 12th century, the statue's true origins remaining a subject of genuine scholarly debate given its curious absence from the ancient chronicles that meticulously recorded so much else of Sri Lanka's religious history.
The statue depicts the Buddha in the Asisa Mudra, a variation of the protective Abhaya Mudra gesture, his right hand raised to shoulder height with palm facing outward, a pose widely interpreted as a gesture of blessing and reassurance, dispelling fear from those who stand before it. Carved in a style closely associated with the artistic influence flowing from India's Amaravati school, known for its detailed, narrative relief work and emphasis on serene spiritual expression, the Aukana Buddha bears striking stylistic similarities to the standing Buddha statue at Maligawila elsewhere in Sri Lanka, both statues sharing an elegant treatment of robe folds and a genuinely tranquil facial expression.
Local legend adds a layer of folklore to the statue's creation, the most popular telling holds that Aukana was carved by a master sculptor in competition with his own student, who simultaneously worked on a nearby statue at Sasseruwa, the contest to be decided by the ringing of a bell once either work was completed. Whatever the truth behind the legend, the Aukana Buddha stands today as one of the most technically accomplished and best preserved ancient stone Buddha statues anywhere in Sri Lanka, its proportions and craftsmanship still drawing scholars and pilgrims alike more than a millennium after it was carved.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Around LKR 400 for foreign visitors
- Opening hours: 7:00am to 6:00pm
- Time needed: 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Best time: Early morning, when sunrise lights the face
Getting there
At Aukana near Kekirawa, about 50km southeast of Anuradhapura by the Kala Wewa reservoir.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to visit Avukana Buddha Statue?
- Around LKR 400 for foreign visitors.
- What are the opening hours at Avukana Buddha Statue?
- 7:00am to 6:00pm.
- How long should I spend at Avukana Buddha Statue?
- Plan for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- When is the best time to visit Avukana Buddha Statue?
- Early morning, when sunrise lights the face.
- How do I get to Avukana Buddha Statue?
- At Aukana near Kekirawa, about 50km southeast of Anuradhapura by the Kala Wewa reservoir.