Aukana Buddha

The Ancient Cities


According to legend, the magnificent 12m-high standing Aukana Buddha was sculpted during the reign of Dhatusena in the 5th century, though some sources date it to the 12th or 13th century. Aukana means ‘sun-eating’, and dawn – when the first of the sun's rays light up the huge statue’s finely carved features – is the best time to see it.

Note that although the statue is still narrowly joined at the back to the rock face it is cut from, the lotus plinth on which it stands is a separate piece. The Buddha’s pose, ashiva mudra, signifies blessings, while the burst of fire above his head represents the power of total enlightenment.

Don't miss the lily-filled rock-cut pond behind the white stupa at the edge of the site.

You’ll need long trousers or a sarong to visit the statue; the ticket office is at the top of the first set of steep steps. A couple of vendors sell drinks near the parking area.

The statue is 800m from the village of Aukana. Buses between Dambulla and Anuradhapura stop at the junction town of Kekirawa (Rs 30, 30 minutes, every 30 minutes), from where there are local buses every 30 minutes for the 19km to Aukana (Rs 40, No 548). A three-wheeler from Kekirawa to Aukana is Rs 900 with waiting time.

Aukana is on the Colombo to Trincomalee rail line, but only four daily trains stop here: the station is 1km from the statue.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Ancient Cities attractions

1. Ritigala Ruins

12.41 MILES

The ruins of Ritigala forest monastery complex consist of two main groups, with dozens of smaller buildings and residences hidden among the boulders…

2. Clock Tower

13.37 MILES

This landmark tower marks Dambulla's central crossroads.

3. Dambulla Produce Market

13.92 MILES

Even if you’re not looking to buy a truckload of bananas, this huge wholesale market south of the centre offers a fascinating look at the vast range of…

4. Cave V (Devana Alut Viharaya)

14.09 MILES

This newer cave was once used as a storehouse, but it’s now called the Second New Temple. It features a reclining Buddha; Hindu deities, including…

5. Cave IV (Pachima Viharaya)

14.1 MILES

The relatively small Western Cave is not the most westerly cave – that position belongs to Cave V. The central Buddha figure is seated under a makara…

6. Cave III (Maha Alut Viharaya)

14.11 MILES

This cave, the New Great Temple, was said to have been converted from a storeroom in the 18th century by King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe of Kandy, one of the…

7. Cave II (Maharaja Viharaya)

14.12 MILES

The Temple of the Great King is arguably the most spectacular of the caves. It measures 52m from east to west and 23m from the entrance to the back wall;…

8. Cave I (Devaraja Viharaya)

14.13 MILES

The first cave, the Temple of the King of the Gods, has a 15m-long reclining Buddha. Ananda, the Buddha’s loyal disciple, and other seated Buddhas are…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "sri-lanka/the-ancient-cities/attractions/aukana-buddha/a/poi-sig/1194893/357448",
      "destination": "The-Ancient-Cities",
      "continent": "Asia",
      "country": "Sri-Lanka",
      "region": "The-Ancient-Cities",
      "position": "superzone"
    }