Avukana Buddha statue

Avukana Buddha statue

    Avukana Buddha statue is situated in the village of Avukana near Kekirawa, 49 km south of Anuradhapura. It is located facing the Kala Wewa reservoir.

    This standing Buddha statue was carved out of a large granite rock face but has not completely separated out. The height of the statue alone is 11.84 m and with the pedestal, it is 13 m in height. During ancient times, the statue had located within a large image house or a shrine. Wall parts of that can still be seen.

    Avukana statue was built by King Dhatusena in the 5th century BC. There is another nearby standing statue of the Buddha, quite similar to the Avukana statue, at Sasseruwa (Resvehera). According to the legend, a competition between a stone sculpting Guru (master) and Gola (pupil) had resulted in the two statues. The master sculptured the Avukana statue, while the pupil at Sasseruwa. Those who finished the sculpting first need to inform other by ringing a bell. Finally, the master completed the first and won the competition. It is believed that that is why the Sasseruwa statue was unfinished.

    Avukana Buddha statue is situated in the village of Avukana near Kekirawa, 49 km south of Anuradhapura. It is located facing the Kala Wewa reservoir.

    This standing Buddha statue was carved out of a large granite rock face but has not completely separated out. The height of the statue alone is 11.84 m and with the pedestal, it is 13 m in height. During ancient times, the statue had located within a large image house or a shrine. Wall parts of that can still be seen.

    Avukana statue was built by King Dhatusena in the 5th century BC. There is another nearby standing statue of the Buddha, quite similar to the Avukana statue, at Sasseruwa (Resvehera). According to the legend, a competition between a stone sculpting Guru (master) and Gola (pupil) had resulted in the two statues. The master sculptured the Avukana statue, while the pupil at Sasseruwa. Those who finished the sculpting first need to inform other by ringing a bell. Finally, the master completed the first and won the competition. It is believed that that is why the Sasseruwa statue was unfinished.

    Avukana Buddha statue is situated in the village of Avukana near Kekirawa, 49 km south of Anuradhapura. It is located facing the Kala Wewa reservoir.

    This standing Buddha statue was carved out of a large granite rock face but has not completely separated out. The height of the statue alone is 11.84 m and with the pedestal, it is 13 m in height. During ancient times, the statue had located within a large image house or a shrine. Wall parts of that can still be seen.

    Avukana statue was built by King Dhatusena in the 5th century BC. There is another nearby standing statue of the Buddha, quite similar to the Avukana statue, at Sasseruwa (Resvehera). According to the legend, a competition between a stone sculpting Guru (master) and Gola (pupil) had resulted in the two statues. The master sculptured the Avukana statue, while the pupil at Sasseruwa. Those who finished the sculpting first need to inform other by ringing a bell. Finally, the master completed the first and won the competition. It is believed that that is why the Sasseruwa statue was unfinished.