Buduruwagala Raja Maha Viharaya

Buduruwagala Raja Maha Viharaya

Buduruwagala Raja Maha Viharaya is situated in the Monaragala district in Sri Lanka. The name Buduruwagala stands for “the rock with the statue of Buddha”.  It consists of seven Buddha statues that date back to the 10^th century.

About the destination

Buduruwagala Raja Maha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist temple that is situated in the Uva Province in Sri Lanka. There is a huge Buddha statue in the middle which is 51 feet in height and is named “Abhaya Mudra”. According to historians, the carvings belong to the Mahayana Buddhist style. It belongs to the Pallava-Sri Lankan art tradition.

Structure of the Buduruwagala Raja Maha Viharaya

The statues on the right of standing Buddha are named Prince Sudhana, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, and Goddess Tara. The depictions on the left are of Vajrapani Bodhisattva, Maitree Bodhisattva, and an unidentifiable deity. The figure at the center has most of the plaster and there’s some paint remaining which is said to have been applied by the ancient people. It is believed to be the figure of Avaloktheeshvara Bodhisattva and he is identified by the small image of meditating Buddha in the crown that he wears. The female who is next to him is his spiritual consort who is Goddess Tara and the other carving is believed to be their son who is Prince Sudhana.

Reaching the destination

From Colombo

Go on McCallum Road and continue straight onto Colombo – Katunayake Expressway and merge onto Southern Expressway. Take the exit from Kahathuduwa interchange and turn left onto Colombo – Wellawaya Highway. Turn left at Buduruwagala Junction onto Buduruwagala Road to reach your destination.

From Monaragala

Turn right onto Technical College Road and turn left at Monaragala Ayurveda onto Colombo – Batticaloa Highway. Turn left at Wellawaya onto Colombo- Wellawaya Road and turn left at Buduruwagala Junction onto Buduruwagala Road to reach your destination.