The Aukana Buddha statue lies between Dambulla and Anuradhapura, near the picturesque man-made Kala Wewa lake, which was constructed by King Dhatusena in the fifth century AD. Carved out of a solid rock face, the statue is one of the finest examples of rock sculpture in the country and is created in the Asisa Mudra, or Posture of Blessing, which is a variation of the Abhaya Mudra. Demonstrating the precision and balance of the sculpture, it is said that a water droplet falling from the tip of the nose falls between the feet, and a small depression in the rock here would confirm this. The statue itself is a shade under 39 feet, but stands on a pedestal in the form of a lotus, bringing its total height to 42 feet. The Aukana statue is regarded as the tallest ancient rock sculpture found in the country.

Written by Jonathan Roelofsz for Travel Lanka Compass