Maligawila Buddha Statue, Maligawila, Sri Lanka
The Maligawila Buddha Statue is an eye-catching sight. With a height of 11.5 meters, it is the oldest giant statue of Buddha in South Asia. Carved from a single large limestone rock in the 7th century AD, it is a masterpiece of ancient Sri Lankan art and architecture.
Maligawila Buddha Statue's location
There are two statues about 8 km near Okkampitiya in Monaragala District. One of them is called the Maligavila Buddha statue, and the other is the Dombegala Avalokiteswara Bodhisattva statue. Both are close to each other at a distance of about 300 meters.
Maligawila Buddha Statue's History
The massive Maligawila Buddha Statue is found broken into pieces in the Maligawila forest. The figure fell on its face in 1951 and broke into pieces. Later, treasure hunters also destroyed this statue with dynamite while looking for valuables.
An attempt was made in 1974, and it failed, but in 1980, then President Ranasinghe Premadasa worked to restore the statue to its glory. Some remains are found of a statue house built around the statue, approximately 20 meters long by 1.2 meters wide and 20 meters high.
How to Get to Maligawila Buddha Statue
The Best Places to Visit Nearby Maligawila Buddha Statue
- Dematamal Viharaya - 11.4km
- Yudaganava Rajamaha Viharaya - 20.9km
- Ella Rock - 58.4km
