The Avukana Buddha Statue is a famous standing statue of Lord Buddha located near Kekirawa in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is one of the finest ancient Buddha statues in the country and is a popular place for both pilgrims and tourists.

Location

The statue is located in the village of Avukana, near Kekirawa. It faces east, looking toward the beautiful Kala Wewa Reservoir.

The statue was carved from a single large granite rock. A small part of the rock was left attached at the back to support the statue. Behind the statue, the rock surface was shaped to look like a stone wall, giving it the appearance of standing against a mountain.

The Buddha stands on a lotus-shaped pedestal, which is a symbol of purity and enlightenment. The statue itself is 11.84 meters (38 feet 10 inches) tall, and with the pedestal, its total height is over 14 meters (46 feet).

Ancient Shrine

Long ago, the statue was protected by a large shrine building. Today, only parts of its lower walls remain. The shrine had a stone foundation with brick walls and measured about 23 meters long and 19 meters wide.

Features

The Avukana Buddha Statue is considered one of the best examples of ancient Sri Lankan Buddhist art. Its design shows influences from the Gandhara and Amaravati styles of art from India.

The Buddha is shown wearing a robe that fits closely to the body, with carefully carved folds. The robe covers the left shoulder, while the right shoulder is uncovered, following the traditional style of Sri Lankan Buddha statues.

The Buddha stands upright with a calm expression. His left hand holds the robe, while his right hand is raised in a gesture of blessing and protection, known as the Asisa Mudra, which is similar to the Abhaya Mudra. This hand gesture symbolizes reassurance, safety, and peace.

Near the lower part of the statue, there is also an ancient carving showing the tool believed to have been used to create the statue, along with some old inscriptions.

Today, the Avukana Buddha Statue remains an important cultural and religious monument, reflecting the skill of ancient Sri Lankan craftsmen and the country’s rich Buddhist heritage.