Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue | Bahirawakanda Buddha
A 26 metre white seated Buddha on a hilltop above Kandy, one of the tallest in the country, with a sweeping view over the city and lake.
Perched on Bahirawa Kanda, a hill locals once called Devil's Mountain, sits a figure you simply cannot miss anywhere in Kandy. Standing 88 feet tall in gleaming white, the Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue watches over the whole city, day and night, and once you spot it from your hotel balcony or a random street corner, you start noticing it everywhere. The statue shows Buddha in Dhyana Mudra, the meditation pose linked to his first enlightenment, hands resting quietly in his lap while the entire city sprawls out below him.
Construction began in the late 1980s under Ven. Ampitiye Dammarama Thero, a monk from the Amarapura Nikaya, and the project wasn't exactly smooth sailing. Senior monks from the older Siyam Nikaya order actually opposed it at the time, worried it would overshadow their own religious standing in the city. Funny how that turned out, the statue got finished anyway, was unveiled in 1993 by then President Ranasinghe Premadasa, and today it's arguably more photographed than almost anything else in Kandy.
Getting up there is half the experience. You'll wind through narrow lanes and a short, steep climb, past small shrines and the odd curious dog, until the path opens up into that famous 360 degree panorama, red rooftops, the glint of Kandy Lake, misty hills rolling off into the distance. Locals come here to light lamps and offer prayers just as often as tourists come for the view, so there's a nice mix of quiet devotion and camera clicking happening side by side.
Come back after dark and the whole place transforms. The statue gets lit up in soft yellow light, visible from practically every corner of the city, glowing like some kind of spiritual lighthouse over Kandy. It's one of those spots that works completely differently depending on when you go, golden and busy by day, hushed and almost eerie by night, but memorable either way.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Around LKR 200 to 300 for foreign visitors, small change for what you get in return.
- Opening hours: Generally open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, though some sources note round the clock access.
- Time needed: Around 45 minutes to an hour including the climb and time at the viewpoint.
- Best time: Early morning for cooler air, or just after sunset to catch the illuminated statue glowing.
Getting there
Sits about 2 km from Kandy Railway Station on Bahirawa Kanda hill, easily reached by a short tuk-tuk ride, followed by a steep 15 to 20 minute walk up from the drop-off point to reach the statue itself.
Before you go
- Come near sunset for the softest light over Kandy and the city lights coming on afterwards.
- Cover your shoulders and knees and take your shoes off at the platform. It is an active place of worship.
- The walk up is short but steep. A tuk-tuk gets you most of the way if you would rather not sweat.
- There is a small entrance fee, so carry a little cash.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Bahirawakanda Buddha worth the climb?
- For the view, yes. The statue itself is impressive, but the real payoff is standing on the platform and looking out over the whole of Kandy and its lake, which is at its best in the late afternoon.
- How much does it cost?
- There is a small entrance fee of a few hundred rupees. Bring cash, as cards are not taken.
- How do I get up there?
- It is a steep fifteen to twenty minute walk from central Kandy, or a short tuk-tuk ride up most of the hill if you would rather skip the climb.
- How long do you need?
- Half an hour to an hour is plenty to see the statue and take in the view. It slots neatly alongside the Temple of the Tooth and a lake walk.