The Avukana statue is a standing statue of the Buddha near Kekirawa in North Central Sri Lanka. The statue, which has a height of more than 46 feet (14 m), was carved out of a large granite rock face during the 5th century. It depicts a variation of the Abhaya mudra, and the closely worn robe is elaborately carved. Constructed during the reign of Dhatusena, it may have been made as a result of a competition between a master and a pupil. The Avukana statue is one of the best examples of a standing statue built in Sri Lanka. It is now a popular tourist attraction.
The Avukana statue is located in the village of Avukana (also spelled Aukana) near Kekirawa. It is close to the Kala Wewa reservoir, and faces it. It was carved out of a large granite rock face, but is not completely separated. A narrow strip of rock has been left at the back of the statue, connecting it to the rock face and supporting it. However, the pedestal on which the Buddha stands, which is carved in the form of a lotus flower, was carved separately and positioned under the statue. The statue alone is 38 feet 10 inches in height, and with the pedestal the total height of the Avukana statue reaches 42 feet. (The statue had been located within a large image house or shrine, of which parts of the walls still remain. The structure was made of brick and stone, and was 74 feet long and 63 feet wide.
How to Reach?
The Avukana Buddha statue and this temple confines are located in the Avukana (Aukana) village in the Anuradhapura district in Sri Lanka, near to Kekirawa Divisional Sectreteriate and Kala Wewa reservoir positioned 30 kilometers northwest of Dambulla. By road, Aukana village is reached by taking Dambulla - Anuradhapura road (A9), by Talawa road at Kekirawa. 5 kilometers past down the Talawa road, take left at Ehalagama junction.
From Colombo to Aukana 180km far away. You can choose easy way to reach Aukana , the Aukana is connected by railway by most trains coming via Anuradhapura. The nearest stations would be Kekirawa and Kala Wewa.
What You Can Do Here?
If you visit in Anuradhapura, there are lots of things to do for your enjoying. If you travelling Anuradhapura, you can visit many historical places and get lots of knowledge about Sri Lankan History.
Here is a long list of major things to do in Anuradhapura. Which the first time travelers can visit and experience.
Visit Aukana Buddha Statue
The Avukana statue is a standing statue of the Buddha near Kekirawa in North Central Sri Lanka. The statue, which has a height of more than 46 feet, was carved out of a large granite rock face during the 5th century. It depicts a variation of the Abhaya mudra, and the closely worn robe is elaborately carved. Constructed during the reign of Dhatusena, it may have been made as a result of a competition between a master and a pupil. The Avukana statue is one of the best examples of a standing statue built in Sri Lanka. It is now a popular tourist attraction.
Who made aukana Statue?
The Avukana statue is widely believed to have been constructed in the 5th century during the reign of King Dhatusena and under his orders. However, another theory is that it was done by an individual named Barana.
Visit Kala Wewa
If you visit aukana, you must warch beautiful Kala Wewa.It is eye pleasing place. Kala Wewa built by the King Datusena in 460 A.D, is a twin reservoir complex which has a capacity of 123 million cubic meters. This reservoir complex has facilitated with a stone made spillway and three main sluices.
Here you can swim and play water games, but remember don't dirty river and don't put garbage here.
Swimming & Play Watergames
There are lots of rivers near Aukana. You can swim and play water games and you can enjoying here much. Further you can take photos and made a memorable vacation.
Visit Raswehera Temple
You can visit reswehera and worship. This temple like also aukana. There is also Buddha statue.
Reswehera Rajamaha Vihara is an ancient temple which was built by the king Devanampiya Tissa situated in North Western Province in Sri Lanka.
The temple is well known for its two Gautama Buddha statues, one carved in a rock and the other inside the vihara. In addition, the Bo tree which was planted from a branch of the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi illuminates the historical value of the place.
Where you can accommodation in Anuradhapura?
Anuradhapura has lots of number of hotels, bngalows and resorts with modern amenities in reasonable price.
