Exploring the Mystical Beauty of Mihinthalaya and Avukana Buddha Statue

AWUKANA BUDDHA STATUE

Anuradhapura is the major city that decorated with thousands of buddhist monuments. Stupas and statues are everywhere in the district. Here is my new divine destination in Anuradhapura the Avukana Buddha statue.

Avukana buddha statue is not located in the Anuradhapura town. This statue stands near Kakirawa. The statue is a standing statue. There are nearly 45km from the Anuradhapura town. A bit far away from the main city, the site is worth to visit. It is better to take a tuk tuk (three-wheeler) to reach this destination.

Avukana buddha statue was built by King Dathusena. The statue is located near the Kala wewa which was built by King Dathusena too. The Avukana buddha statue was completely carved out of a large granite rock. The height of the statue is 13m. The variation of the statue is called as Abhaya Mudrawa.   

 

The serene gaze of the Avukana Buddha Statue captures the essence of enlightenment.

MIHINTHALAYA

Mihintale, located in the Anuradhapura District of Sri Lanka, is considered to be one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the country. The site is believed to be the place where Buddhism was first introduced to Sri Lanka, and it has a long and rich history that is closely tied to the country's religious and cultural heritage.

Road to A Divine Destination

The history of Mihintale dates back to the 3rd century BC, when it is said that the Indian monk Mahinda, the son of the great Emperor Ashoka, arrived in Sri Lanka and met with King Devanampiyatissa. According to legend, Mahinda convinced the king to convert to Buddhism, and the Mihintale rock fortress was built as a monastery to house the growing number of Buddhist monks.

The Mihintale complex contains several ancient structures, including temples, stupas, and rock-cut statues, which are of great architectural and archaeological significance. The most significant of these is the Maha Stupa, which is said to contain a relic of the Buddha. The stupa is surrounded by a large number of smaller stupas, and it is considered to be one of the oldest stupas in Sri Lanka

The Mihinthalaya

Mihinthalaya is 300m height and the view from the top of the rock is fantastic. The fields, stupas and tanks are around the Rock till the horizon. Surrounding by lush forests and rolling hills it is worth to be here.