Aukana Buddha Statue
About This Place
Aukana Buddha Statue
One of the finest ancient standing Buddha statues in the world, hewn from a single granite rock face, rising 12 metres high. Located near the Kala Wewa ancient reservoir, the statue was created during the reign of King Dhatusena in the 5th century AD. The statue displays the 'Blessing Mudra' (Ashirwada) hand gesture and is considered a masterpiece of ancient Sinhalese sculpture. The craftsmanship is so precise that it is said no water falls on the statue during rain — it flows away from the body.
Difficulty
🧭 easy
Best Time
📅 Year-round; dawn visit essential for the 'sun eating' lighting effect.
Safety Rating
Accessibility & Visitor Info
60 km from Anuradhapura; accessible by road; flat site; small entry fee; shoes must be removed; best visited at dawn for dramatic lighting.
📖 Legends & Stories
The name Aukana means 'sun eating' in Sinhala, as the rising sun illuminates the statue dramatically at dawn. According to legend, the statue was carved by two competing masters — the teacher and his student — simultaneously. The teacher completed his statue first (Aukana) and the disciple's unfinished statue stands at Sasseruwa. The teacher is said to have stopped his disciple from finishing as a mark of seniority.
Location
📍 Find It Here
8.033000, 80.578000
Community
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