Maligawila Buddha Statue

The Maligawila Buddha statue is a standing statue of the Buddha in Sri Lanka, carved from a large limestone rock during the 7th century by a prince named Agrabodhi. It is the tallest free-standing ancient Buddha statue in the country. By the time it was found in 1951, it had been broken into several pieces. The statue is located near the village of Maligawila in the Moneragala District of the Uva Province in Sri Lanka. Carved from a single large limestone rock, it stands at 37 feet and 10 inches high. Along with the Buddha statues of Avukana and Buduruwagala, the Maligawila Buddha statue is considered one of the finest examples of standing Buddha images in ancient Sri Lanka. It closely resembles the Avukana statue and depicts the Asisa Mudra, a variation of the Abhaya Mudra, where the Buddha clutches the robe at the left shoulder while the right hand is raised to the right shoulder.

Ruins found around the statue indicate the existence of an image house measuring approximately 80 feet in length and breadth, with walls about 4 feet thick and a height estimated at around 65 feet. The statue, which had fallen from its pedestal and lay in pieces, was discovered in 1951. Before this, it had been damaged by treasure hunters. An attempt to raise the statue in 1974 was unsuccessful. However, another attempt in 1980, under President Ranasinghe Premadasa, succeeded. Several broken sections, including the right hand, face, and feet, had been damaged and were repaired before the statue was reconstructed and re-erected. The restoration has been described as a highly significant task carried out under Premadasa's direction. Today, the Maligawila Buddha statue attracts a large number of pilgrims each year.