Aukana Buddha, Sri Lanka

Aukana Buddha statue, Sri Lanka (30 August, 2005)

Aukana Buddha (also written Avukana) is the tallest Buddha statue in Sri Lanka. Located 50 km (30 miles) from Mihintale, it is an architectural marvel of the ancient Sinhalese.

The face of the Aukana Buddha (30 August, 2005)

The Aukana Buddha is 39 feet tall, 10 feet across the shoulders, and stands on a decorated lotus plinth. The Buddha statue is believed to have been built during the period of King Dhatusena (459-477AD), although the style betrays it as being done during a later period.

The best time to view the Aukana Buddha statue is said to be dawn, when the first rays of the morning sun bring out the rich hues of the rock image and makes it appear to come alive against the deep green of the trees beyond. As the sun rises higher it reveals the serenity of the exquisitely carved face. As the sun rises higher still, it picks out the gracefully carved robe.

I arrived at the Aukana Buddha on the final day of our being in Anuradhapura. It was added to the itinerary because I specifically requested to visit it. As with all the Buddhist sites we have visited, we have to remove our shoes before entering through the gate into a compound. There was a bodhi tree, as is again customary.

The Aukana Buddha statue is covered out of a big rock, which forms a sort of hill behind it. There are ancient halls on both sides of the approach to the statue. At the foot of the Buddha is a sort of altar with offerings of flowers. I saw that bees have created a honeycomb which was hanging from the elbow of the statue.

Compound to the Aukana Buddha (30 August, 2005)

Stupa on the grounds of the Aukana Buddha complex (30 August, 2005)

Flower offerings at the feet of the colossal Aukana Buddha (30 August, 2005)

Honeycomb hanging from the elbow of the statue (30 August, 2005)

My guide, Mr Fernandez, with the resident monk (30 August, 2005)

Tim at the Aukana Buddha (30 August, 2005)

Goint there

The Aukana Buddha Temple is located south of Anuradhapura and west of Polonnaruwa. Get off the Kandy-Jaffna Highway (A9) at Thoniyagala, then head in a southwest direction on Route B423 (Tonigala-Kalawewa-Galewela Road), then turn off to your right at Avukana Road, which takes you to the temple, before the village of Avukana.