Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue

About the location

Bahirawa Kanda is constructed on a hill adjoining the holy city of Kandy. The statue is just 2km from the Temple of The Tooth Relic and was built in 1972. The Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue is located alongside the Sri Maha Bodhi Temple which is on the top of the Bahirawa Kanda hill. This beautifully sculpted white statue displays Buddha in the seated Nirvana pose and can be seen from the entire city of Kandy that sprawls out before it. It stands at 88 feet in height and is one of the biggest Buddha statues in Sri Lanka.

Visitors can climb the top of the hill for panoramic views of the City of Kandy, the inside of Bogambara Prison, and the mountain range nearby. It makes for some spectacular photographs and memories. The temple of Bahirawa Kanda is open for worship. Devotees are required to remove their hats and shoes and can offer flowers or light oil lamps. There is also a set of stairs that run behind the Buddha statue, that allow visitors to climb to a greater height for better views of the landscape.

How to reach the destination

If you are traveling from Kandy go on William Gopallawa Mawatha and turn to Lamagaraya Road. Then you should go along the route up until you reach Sri Pushpadana Mawatha. After that go up to Bahirawa Kanda Road and go about 750 meters along this road to find the Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue.

The best time to visit

The best time to visit Bahirawakanda is at night when the entire statue is lit up and the city of Kandy spreads out in a map of twinkling lights.

Special notes

• You should remove your footwear and dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered. Taking a pair of socks can be handy since the climb barefoot can be intense with the heat.
• The entrance fee for Foreign Nationals is Rs.250/-.