Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 2 km from Kandy Railway Station, the Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue is located alongside the Sri Maha Bodhi Temple atop Bahirava Kanda (devil's) hill in Kandy. It is one of the tallest Buddha statues in Sri Lanka and among the must-visit places in Kandy while holidaying in Sri Lanka.

The Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue is standing at 88 feet high and can be seen from the entire city of Kandy. The construction of the statue began in the late 1980s by Ampitiye Dammarama Thero, a monk from the Amarapura Nikaya. It was finished in 1992 and officially inaugurated on 1st January 1993 by then President Ranasinghe Premadasa.

This beautifully sculpted white statue displays Buddha in Dhyana Mudra, the posture of meditation associated with his first enlightenment. There is a small gallery inside the statue that displays a collection of some magnificent pictures of Buddha's life from baby to manhood. The beauty of the statue doubles during the night when it is lit by lamps. The place offers panoramic views of the entire Kandy city, Kandy Lake, evergreen forests and tea plantations.

One can reach the base of the Big Buddha by climbing the steps or by hiring a tuk-tuk. From there it is a 20-minute walk up the hill to reach the statue. The trek is steep and slightly strenuous but the views upon reaching the top are worth it. There is also a set of stairs that run behind the Buddha statue, that allow visitors to climb to a greater height for better views of the landscape.

Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM

Entry: LKR. 250 per Person for Foreigners