Rasvehera is an ancient monastic complex dating back to the second century BC, centered around a network of caves. It is most noted for its standing Buddha statue carved in rock, believed to be the twin of the more popular Aukana statue nearby. Legend has it that the two statues were a competition between a master and his understudy, with the Rasvehera statue being undertaken by the understudy and appearing to be unfinished. Rasvehera is also the site where one of thirty-two saplings from the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura was planted by King Devanampiyatissa and it is said that on the day it was put in the ground that the area was lit up with colorful rays, or “ras”, from which it got its name.

Written by Jonathan Roelofsz for Travel Lanka Compass