Aukana Buddha Statue

Aukana holds prestige in the historical chronicles as being one of the tallest standing statues of Buddha in Sri Lanka. It is situated in the district of Anuradhapura and is steeped in rich history. It was formerly known as Kalagal Viharaya in the 18th century probably due to the reason it is few kilometres away from the Kala Wewa (reservoir) which was created by King Dathusena in the 4th century. It was given the name, Aukana in recent years.
The fine sculpture of the Buddha statue gives credit to the artistry and skill of the craftsmen since this colossal statue stands at a mighty height of 42 feet. The skills were evident in this creation where a drop of rain would eventually flow along a path over the statue and falls below to a point at the feet which protects the entire statue.
The sacred bare feet, the folds and creases in the robes, the posture of the arms and the looks of serenity and calm of the face give evidence of love and dedication that was incorporated into creating this masterpiece.
This statue is one of which was molded with each body part being in proportion and it was also believed that it follows the Maha Vihara tradition which means the fearless form is shown.
It was believed that Lord Buddha had 32 features that reflected his enlightenment and importance; some of which are internal and others are external. However, it is the skills of the craftsmen to be precise in showing these features correctly and visible. Therefore, the Aukana Buddha statue shows approximately 16 features which can be clearly seen.