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Habarana
Pass by
Habarana, located in Sri Lanka's heartland, captivates visitors with its natural beauty and cultural allure. Surrounded by lush greenery and picturesque landscapes, this quaint town serves as a gateway to several iconic attractions, including nearby national parks like Minneriya and Kaudulla, renowned for their elephant gatherings. Adventure seekers can indulge in thrilling safaris or explore ancient sites like Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Dambulla Cave Temple, immersing themselves in the island's rich history and biodiversity.
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Yapahuwa Rock Fortress
1h 30m · Admission ticket not included
The giant rock of Yapahuwa has a history dating back to the 13th century; when King Buvenekabahu (1273-1284 AD) made it the seat of his capitol. He noted its defensive abilities and created a stone fortress on the rock; which withstands the sands of time to this day. You will be able explore the ancient stone ruins and the place where the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha was ensconced during the Yapahuwa era.
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45m · Admission ticket not included
After you will get to Sasseruwa, where the Ras Vehera Statue is. This lesser known statue is almost as tall as the Aukana Buddha at 36 m tall, though it remains incomplete. However the style of the statue is completely different from the Aukana Buddha. Little is known about who created it and why it was abandoned halfway; though archaeologists have confirmed that it is at least seven centuries old. You will be able to see remains of the image house that the statue originally stood within; and view the ruins of the monastic complex and cave temples around the statue.
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45m · Admission ticket not included
Aukana Buddha Statue in Asisa Mudra or the “posture of blessing” is carved out of a rock boulder. The statue is carved in the round connected to the back to the rock boulder. The delicate and skillful carving of the Buddha’s robe humanizes and chastely reveals the underlying form of his body, while the face’s impassive expression projects an aura of spiritual supremacy.
It is said that the degree of alignment of the statue is such that raindrop on the nose would drop straight down to small depression carved between the toes. Aukana Buddha Statue is a masterpiece of a colossal Buddha Statue by an unknown sculptor: the serene expression of the statue, the gracefully carved robe with neat pleats brings in delicateness that could hardly be moulded into a rock. The impassive expression of the face reflects the supreme spirituality.
