Nestled away at the very heart of Kandy is the quaint little town of Bahirawakanda. It lies in the shad of the Bahirawa Kanda – an enormous mountain that towers over the town and is its namesake. The town’s most famous attraction is the Sri Maha Bodi Viharaya and the majestic Buddha Statue located at the temple’s entrance.
The Buddha statue is a grand attraction in its own right and is by far the main reason hundreds of tourists regularly visit Bahirawakanda. The statue is over 88 metres tall; this makes it one of the largest Buddha statues found in the entirety of South Asia. In fact, it is so large that it’s visible from most areas of Kandy City. The statue is seated in the Nirvana pose and maintains a quiet vigil over the surrounding area.
The statue and the temple are both located atop a hill that’s just 2 kilometres away from the famed sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, so you can make a quick detour if you’re on the way there. The Buddha statue was constructed in 1972 and it displays an amazing degree of skill and craftsmanship. The sculpture pure white in colour and bathes the whole area in a calming atmosphere of serenity and tranquillity. You can also head on inside to the temple itself and gaze upon a quaint refuge that serves as a sacred location for the local Buddhist populace.
One shouldn’t forget the spectacular view you’ll be treated to from up here. You can gaze upon the bustling city in the distance and the towering mountain ranges beyond. Be sure to snap a few pictures while you’re there!
