Your base for exploring this tourist attraction is the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. For tourist information about Anuradhapura, go to Anuradhapura Travel Guide. To prepare for a trip to Sri Lanka, read also the Sri Lanka Travel Guide. Looking for budget accommodation? Use AsiaExplorers Search & Compare Engine, to find suitable hotel room for your stay in Sri Lanka.
Aukana Buddha (also written Avukana) is a colossal standing Buddha statue, the tallest in Sri Lanka. I had the privilege of visiting this enormous statue when I was in Sri Lanka on an AsiaExplorers tour. Located 50 km (30 miles) from Mihintale, it is an architectural marvel of the ancient Sinhalese. The Aukana Buddha is 39 feet high, 10 feet across the shoulders, and stands on a decorated lotus plinth. It is believed to be built during the period of King Dhatusena (459-477AD), although the style betrays it as being done during a later period.
The best time to view the Aukana Buddha statue is said to be dawn, when the first rays of the morning sun bring out the rich hues of the rock image and makes it appear to come alive against the deep green of the trees beyond. As the sun rises higher it reveals the serenity of the exquisitely carved face. As the sun rises higher still, it picks out the gracefully carved robe.
Entering the compound of the Aukana Buddha temple
Approaching the Aukana Buddha
Honeycomb hanging from the arm of the Buddha statue
Aukana Buddha
Face of the Buddha statue
Our tour guide Mr Fernandez with a monk at Aukana
Tim at the feet of the statue
