Maligawila Buddha statue – Okkampitya
Description
The Maligawila Buddha statue is a breathtaking sight to behold. Standing at a towering height of 11.5 meters (37 feet and 10 inches), it is the giant free-standing ancient statue of a standing Buddha in South Asia. Carved from a single large limestone rock in the 7th century CE, it is a masterpiece of ancient Sri Lankan art and architecture.
If you plan to visit Sri Lanka, the Maligawila Buddha statue is a must-see attraction. Here's everything you need to know about this incredible statue and how to reach it:
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The History and Significance of the Maligawila Buddha Statue
The Maligawila Buddha statue is attributed to Prince Aggabodhi from the southern Rohana kingdom, who lived in the 7th century CE. According to the Mahavamsa chronicle, he built a temple named Pathma Vihara and constructed a great statue of the Buddha there. However, the exact date of the statue's creation is inconclusive and may be from the 9th or 10th century.
The statue is renowned for its unique Asisa Mudra gesture, rare and only known from Buddha statues in Sri Lanka. It is a gesture of blessing and pointing in a direction similar to the more common Abhaya Mudra gesture.
The statue was once in an enormous image house, the most significant shrine room wholly built of brick in ancient Sri Lanka. The ruins around the figure indicate that this image house was about 24 meters (80 feet) long and wide, with 1.2 meters (4 feet) thick brick walls and a height of about 20 meters (65 feet).
How to Reach the Maligawila Buddha Statue
The Maligawila Buddha statue is in the Monaragala District in southeastern Sri Lanka. The nearest city is Wellawaya, about 13 kilometres (8 miles) away.
To reach the statue, you can take a bus or hire a taxi from Wellawaya. The journey takes about 30 minutes by bus or 15 minutes by taxi. Alternatively, you can rent a car or motorcycle and drive there yourself.
Once you arrive, there is a small entrance fee to enter the temple grounds. The statue is in an open-air pavilion surrounded by lush greenery and serene natural beauty.
The Maligawila Buddha statue is a remarkable testament to Sri Lanka's rich cultural heritage and artistic legacy. Whether you are a history buff, an art lover, or simply seeking a spiritual experience, visiting this awe-inspiring statue is an unforgettable journey into the heart of Sri Lanka.
