Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country in South Asia with a large Buddhist population. Because Buddhists make up the majority of the population, Buddhism has a strong effect on Sri Lankan culture.
Religion is very essential in our everyday lives, and most people hold traditional religious ideals in high regard. It’s a key factor in bringing the country’s many nationalities together. Sri Lanka’s Buddhist temples and sculptures of Lord Buddha provide a fascinating glimpse into the country’s culture.
Most notably, in Sri Lanka, Lord Buddha is a highly venerated religious figure. Many massive statues of Lord Buddha have been built to honor and worship him since ancient times.
The most striking element of Buddhist temples are the sculptures. The most significant and unforgettable aspect of visiting a Buddhist temple is paying tribute to this revered figure of Lord Buddha.
In Sri Lanka, there are three types of Lord Buddha statues: sitting, standing, and reclining. We’ve compiled information on all of Sri Lanka’s most outstanding Buddha sculptures here.
The stunning beauty of these monuments draws a large number of people. If you go to one of them, pay special attention to Lord Buddha’s face. Lord Buddha’s peaceful smile and radiating sentiments of peace and tranquillity will be felt by you.
Samadhi Buddha statue in Anuradhapura
The Mahamevna Park’s Samadhi Buddha statue in Anuradhapura is considered one of Sri Lanka’s greatest old Buddha sculptures. The Dhyana Mudra, or meditation pose, is shown by the Buddha. This statue is made of dolomite marble and stands 7 feet 3 inches tall.
To be clear, this old statue was discovered in Mahamevna Park in 1886. As one of Sri Lanka’s earliest sculptures of Lord Buddha, it has survived entire and beautifully kept to this day. Every day, a large number of Buddhists come to pay their respects.
Avukana Buddha Statue in Dambulla’s ancient city
The Avukana statue is widely regarded as the greatest example of a standing Buddha statue from ancient Sri Lanka. It is located in Kekirawa, 20 kilometers from Dambulla’s ancient city. Lord Buddha standing on a lotus pedestal is shown in this rock-cut statue. It is 42 feet tall and was cut out of a massive granite rock face.
The Abhaya mudra is shown by Avukana Buddha in a variant. On the rock, the tattered robe is intricately engraved. The robe is clutched by the standing Buddha’s left shoulder, and his right hand is elevated to his right shoulder.
Constructed during King Dhatusena’s reign, this statue is said to be housed within a massive image house or shrine, with sections of the walls still standing. The Avukana Buddha statue is undoubtedly one of Sri Lanka’s most renowned tourist attractions.
Kande Viharaya is a Buddhist temple in Aluthgama, Kalutara district srilanka
Kande Viharaya is located in Aluthgama, Kalutara district, about an hour and a half from Colombo. The exact translation of Kande Viharaya is “mountain temple.” It was built on top of a hill, as the name indicates. The enormous sitting statue of Lord Buddha in Kande Viharaya is regarded as Sri Lanka’s most magnificent Buddha image. The Bhoomisparsha Mudra is shown in this statue.
The majestic 160-foot-high statue of Lord Buddha at Kande Viharaya is one of the world’s largest sitting Buddha sculptures. It has been placed on a colorful pedestal shaped like a Lotus flower. Above all, this magnificent statue is a sight to behold, with vibrant hues. Lord Buddha is silently gazing ahead across the walkway, bestowing blessings to the passers-by.
Bahirawakanda Temple is a temple in Bahirawakanda
Bahirawakanda Temple is a hilltop temple located 1 km from Kandy Town. The temple’s major feature is a massive, pure white Buddha statue in a meditation stance. This imposing 88-foot-tall Buddha statue, one of the city’s most important religious monuments, stands over the busy Kandy town below.
Visitors may reach the summit of the hill in under an hour, but they need be mindful of the rising heat during the midday hours. A short tuk-tuk ride from Kandy town will have you at the temple in no time. Once you’ve reached the top, you’ll get a panoramic view of Kandy’s surroundings.
In Bahirawakanda Temple, you may certainly get some of the most stunning vistas of Lord Buddha. Sunset will produce more vivid photographs, and you may be lucky enough to get some spectacular shots. The picture of Lord Buddha is magnificent when lighted at night. The statue, bathed in light in the darkness, is particularly attractive from afar.
Weherahena Temple in Matara
Weherahena temple is around 6 kilometers from the Kekanadura road in Matara. The temple’s pride and joy is a 78-foot-tall red-robed, sitting figure of Lord Buddha. It was constructed on a stage in the shape of a lotus flower. Visitors will find this Buddha statue to be incredibly stunning and eye-catching.
In addition, an exquisite courtyard was built on the statue’s façade. In the midst of the yard, there are two lovely ponds. The temple complex covers a three-acre plot of land. There is an underground temple there that is the world’s largest and first tunnel temple.
Athugala Viharaya in Kurunegala
At the summit of Ethagala rock in Kurunegala, you’ll discover the Buddhist shrine Athugala Viharaya. This massive rock stands 325 meters tall and has the form of an elephant. A 66-foot-high statue of Lord Buddha serves as the temple’s hallmark. This pure white figure of Lord Buddha, which overlooks Kurunegala, is a stunning sight worth seeing.
To get to the top of the mountain, one can either take the steps or drive to the top of the rock. The greatest time to begin trekking up the rock is at sunset, when you will get the most panoramic view of the city. From Kurunegala town, the night view of the Buddha monument is truly stunning. Only the white Buddha statue may be seen floating in the sky while everything else is black.
Dambulla Golden Temple best-preserved cave temple in Sri Lanka.
The golden temple of Dambulla is Sri Lanka’s largest and best-preserved cave temple. The entrance to this ancient subterranean shrine is guarded by a massive 65-foot-high statue of Lord Buddha. The golden paint on this majestic sitting Buddha is extremely amazing. In Sri Lanka, this type of actual gold-painted Buddha statue is quite rare. The Dhamma Chakka Mudra is shown on the statue.
This ancient cave shrine is one of Sri Lanka’s eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Above all, this temple has a rich and illustrious history that stretches back to the first century BC.
The 160-meter-high Dambulla rock has more than five big caverns. Individual caverns formed by erecting partition walls in space beneath a single massive rock. In addition, each cave houses exquisite Buddha sculptures and murals.
Wewurukannala Temple in Matara
One of Sri Lanka’s most magnificent Buddhist temples may be found in the town of Dickwella near Matara. The huge 100-foot-high statue of Lord Buddha is the temple’s main attraction. It is Sri Lanka’s biggest sitting Buddha statue, dating from the 18th century.
Rambodagalla Buddha Statue in Rambodagalla, Kurunegala
Monaragala Temple, located in Rambodagalla, Kurunegala, is a relatively new temple. Lord Buddha is represented with a 67-foot-tall statue. This statue was one of the country’s most recent additions, having been built within the previous two decades. It began in 2001 and took 13 years to finish.
Rambodagalla Samadhi Buddha in the style of Anuradhapura Samadhi Buddha carved on living rock. Similarly, this monument has become one of the most well-known tourist attractions in the region, drawing a large number of pilgrims.
Maligawila Buddha Statue in Maligawila, Moneragala District, Sri Lanka
The Maligawila Buddha statue is a standing Buddha statue in Maligawila, Moneragala District, Sri Lanka. With a height of 37 feet 10 inches, it is one of Sri Lanka’s highest ancient free-standing pictures. During the 7th century, this figure was carved out of a massive limestone rock. It looks a lot like the Avukana statue and shows the same mudra, which is a version of the Abhaya mudra.
It had been split into multiple pieces when it was discovered in 1951. In 1980, the statue was restored and elevated for the first time. Ruins around the statue suggest that it was formerly surrounded by an image house for protection.
Polonnaruwa Gal Viharaya
The Gal Viharaya, or rock temple, is Polonnaruwa’s most visited ancient landmark. It was constructed by King Parakramabahu. The four rock relief sculptures of Lord Buddha carved onto the face of a massive granite rock are the temple’s most notable feature. The natural rock has been carved out to make room for these figurines.
Two sitting people, a standing figure, and a big reclining figure make up the sculptures. One of the biggest stone statues in South Asia is the 46-foot-long reclining Buddha statue at Gal Viharaya. These sculptures demonstrate the Polonnaruwa kingdom’s old sculpting and carving talents. Buddhist followers in Sri Lanka revere these magnificent historical sculptures.