Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue

Sculpted in the traditional Dhyana Mudra (the posture of deep meditation), this massive

monument was completed in the early 1990s and stands as one of the tallest seated Buddha

statues in Sri Lanka.

The hill itself, known as Bahirawakanda (Gnome Mountain), has a fascinating history rooted in

local folklore. In ancient times, locals believed the hill was inhabited by a powerful earth

demon, and legends suggest that human sacrifices were once offered here to appease the

spirit and protect the kingdom from bad luck. Today, the giant white Buddha statue has

completely transformed the hill into a peaceful place of spiritual sanctuary.

The temple can be reached by a short drive up a winding road or via a flight of stairs starting

from the city center. Visitors must remove their shoes at the entrance before walking onto the

smooth stone viewing terrace at the base of the statue. A set of stairs built behind the

Buddha allows travelers to climb up to a viewing platform near the statue's shoulders. From

this high vantage point, you can enjoy a bird's-eye view across Kandy, looking down over the

lake, the Temple of the Tooth, the crowded marketplace, and the distant, mist-covered peaks

of the Knuckles Mountain Range. The site is particularly magical at dusk when the statue is

illuminated by soft spotlights and the sound of evening prayers echoes from the valley below.