The Aukana Buddha
Sum up
The Aukana Buddha statue in Sri Lanka is not only the tallest ancient Buddha statue in Sri Lanka, it is also arguably the most elegant.
It lies to the west of the large Kala Wewa tank near Anuradhapura and stands 12m, completely free-standing and carved from a single rock.
The creation of both the temple and the tank (reservoir) is attributed to King Dhatusena in the 5th century.
This masterly sculpture is an example of the Abhayamudra Buddha, showing superhuman qualities. The right-handed gesture, raised to the right shoulder with the palm spread, signifies lack of fear; the left-hand position draws the worshipper to Buddha for release from their earthly bonds. An impassive expression conveys a supreme spirituality.
It is said that the statue is so perfectly aligned that a raindrop on the nose drops straight down to a small depression carved between the toes.
The statue has gained significance in recent times due to the destruction of a similar Buddha in Afghanistan.
The Aukana Buddha can be visited en route to Anuradhapura and can easily be combined with a visit to the ancient monastery site of Sasseruwa. It only takes a maximum of 45 minutes to visit the site and the nearby Kala Wewa tank is an excellent place to stop off and have a picnic in scenic surroundings.
Five fun facts about the Aukana Buddha
- The statue glows with the rising sun, befitting the translation of the name as “sun eating”
- Experts argued about its age until 1952 when an inscription was found on a granite slab in the shrine
- The Sirasapata symbol placed on the top of the Buddha is not the original
- The pedestal on which the Buddha stands, shaped in the form of a lotus flower, was carved separately
- According to legend, the statues at Aukana and Sasseruwa are the result of a competition between a stone sculpting guru and his pupil
Duration: 1 hour
Best Time: Year-round
Popular Activities
Anuradhapura Sum up Anuradhapura was Sri Lanka’s first civilisation and the centre-point of the island’s greatest kingdoms, acting as the royal capital …
Dambulla Cave Temple Sum up Dambulla Cave Temple is one of the most popular religious cultural sites in Sri Lanka, attracting tourists …
Polonnaruwa Sum up The well-preserved ruins of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s medieval royal capital, are one of the country’s most prominent cultural sites. …
Sigiriya Rock Fortress Sum up Sigiriya is one of the most dramatic and inspiring historical locations in the world, a huge rock …
Traditional Sri Lankan Village Life Sum up Discover the authentic rural charm of Sri Lankan village life. Simple and peaceful, life in …
Pidurangala Rock Sum up Pidurangala is an enormous rock located a few kilometres north of Sigiriya. The two rocks have an interlinked …
Sri Lanka Hot Air Ballooning Sum up Red Dot now offers hot air ballooning in the Cultural Triangle, a dramatic and rewarding …
Minneriya National Park Sum up Minneriya National Park is a small but popular wildlife park home to a wide range of Sri …
The Monkey Kingdom of Polonnaruwa Sum up Quite apart from the incredible ruins of this medieval city, Polonnaruwa is home to a …
Wasgamuwa National Park Sum up Wasgamuwa is a remote national park which is home to a wide variety of Sri Lankan wildlife, …
Kaludiya Pokuna Sum up Kaludiya Pokuna Forest near Kandalama – not to be confused with the ‘Kaludiya Pokuna’ close to Mihintale – …
The Aukana Buddha Sum up The Aukana Buddha statue in Sri Lanka is not only the tallest ancient Buddha statue in Sri …
Aluvihara Cave Temple Sum up The ancient Aluvihara cave temple is on the outskirts of Matale, north of Kandy, and has great …