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About 5 kilometers South of Wellawaya and off the trampled
track surrounded by a beautiful ancient lake, is the famous
rock sculptures of Buduruwagala which is still relatively
less known. These seven colossal figures pertaining to the
Mahayana Buddhist Doctrine sculptured on to a rock face is
still a controversy. A side road to the west reaches the seven
colossal figures carved out of a rock face.
The seven colossal figure sculpted in to a rock face are
dated to the 9th or the 10th century. The central figure of
the group is the Buddha, standing 51 feet and is the largest
standing Buddha in Sri Lanka. Buduruwagala rock a stone Shrine
situated above the Buduruwagala tank in a charming place below
a mountain, in the Wellawaya in Uva province.
The rock gives the visual impression of a massive elephant
kneeling with bowed head. The Buddha statue is in the central
and six other images are caved three on each side with symbol
of lamp flame near the right foot. Through this hole filters
oil that smells of mustard oil. It is being said that, after
applying this oil on the forehead the disciples used to present
themselves before Tara Devi or Vajra Pani and ask for the
cure of their ailments.
The portion above waist is smoothening while the lower potion
has been left in rough condition. The Statue faces east; the
right hand depicts the fingers in the posture of kindness
and freedom from fear.
The Bodhisatva's of Buduruvagala appeals devotees to come
forward and worship in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility
in this scenic jungle hideout.
The Bamiyan statues in Afghanistan were the tallest standing
statues of Buddha. Taliban blew them up. Hence the remaining
tallest statue is at Buduruwagala in Sri Lanka. The tremendous
work of Buduruwagala belonged to the latter period of Anuradhapura
Kingdom for the holiness to make offerings.
Other similar rock carvings in Sri Lanka are at Avukana ,
Saseruva & Maligvila Buddha statues. However the relief
of the sculpture of Buduruwagala is less than those of the
other statues mentioned earlier.
No information regarding the exact period of the Buduruwagala
statues is so far available in the stone inscriptions or in
the chronicles.
Avaloktheeshvara figure is a statue of Bodisatva. He is believed
to grant relief to the helpless; he was named, during the
Kotte period, as God Natha. At the center of the crown there
is a figure of Buddha in meditation. The lady next to Avaloktheeshvara
Bodisatva is Aryathara. She is bent in three traditional places.
It is believed that she has powers to prevent floods, epidemics,
earthquakes and such other calamities.
In the center is Maithri Bodhisatva. He is the fifth Buddha
for this geologic time. He is holding a tool made of quartz.
The presence of this quartz tool of indicates that Mahayana
Sect introduced Buduruwagala sculptures.
Neither records nor stone inscriptions provide any information
on the exact period of these statues. However, it has been
determined that they date back to the 10th Century and belong
to the latter period of the Anuradhapura Kingdom. It is believed
the Buddha statue was created during the reign of King Valagamba.
The figure to the right of Avalokitesvara is prince Sudhana.
He is also in the typical thrice-bent posture. He has the
ability to guide the young on to the t path of good behavior.
The central figure in the group of three to the Buddha's left
is Maithri Bodhisathva, the fifth Buddha. The figure has a
crown, ornamentations and a robe.
To his left is Vajrapani who is holding the hourglass-shaped
Tibetan thunderbolt symbol, made of quartz.
India Srilanka Tours offers online booking for Buduruwagala
Rock Sculptures in Srilanka. Please fill the form given below:
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