Buduruvagala

Welcome travelers and students of antiquity to the breathtaking site of Buduruwagala. Located just a few kilometers from the Wellawaya junction along the Thanamalwila road this site is a hidden jewel of Sri Lankan heritage. …

Direct your gaze to the absolute center of the rock face where the colossal image of the Buddha commands the landscape. Carved in profound high relief this staggering statue stands at an astounding fifteen point five five meters…

As we move closer to the base of the central Buddha bring your attention to a fascinating and highly unusual detail located beside the right foot of the statue. Carved deep into the rock is an indentation shaped precisely like a…

Shift your focus to the group of three figures flanking the central Buddha to the viewer left. This trio represents a profound infusion of Mahayana Buddhist theology into Sri Lankan art. …

Now direct your attention to the right side of the complex where another triad of figures balances the composition. The central figure of this right hand group is identified by art historians as the Maitreya Bodhisattva the…

As we examine the sculptures closely look for the faint streaks and patches of color clinging to the crevices of the stone. It is a crucial archaeological fact that these statues were not always the monochrome grey we see today. …

As our exploration of Buduruwagala draws to a close step back into the shade of the ancient trees and take one final encompassing look at the rock face. The late afternoon sun casts deep shadows across the carvings highlighting…