Aukana statue - The tallest ancient Buddha statue in Sri Lanka

The Avukana statue is considered to be one of the best examples of a standing statue of the Buddha from ancient Sri Lanka and  is situated in a village named Avukana, close to the Kala Wewa reservoir in Anuradhapura District. Aukana Buddha Statue in Sri Lanka that rise to a height of 11.36 meters, is the tallest ancient Buddha statue in Sri Lanka.

According to legend, this magnificent standing Aukana Buddha was sculpted during the reign of Dhatusena in the 5th century, though some sources date it to the 12th or 13th century. 

The artist of this magnificent work of art is still unknown.

A unique feature is that the statue has been carved out of a great granite rock face and appears to stand alone, but is in fact connected by a narrow strip of rock which also supports the statue. The Buddha image stands on a Lotus flower pedestal which has been carved separately and placed under the statue.

The robe is worn tightly, clearly outlining the shape of the body, and its pleats are carved clearly and delicately. 

Aukana Buddha Statue is in { Asisa Mudra } the “posture of blessing” .

Aukana Buddha Statue is carved alone in the proportion of nine faces: the body height is nine times the length of the face. The proportion of nine faces is the iconometry followed by the sculptors in the eighth century AC of Sri Lanka.