Bodhimalu Viharaya

Have you ever felt the gaze of a giant? At Bodhimalu Viharaya, that’s exactly what you’ll experience. The colossal Buddha statue here, serene in its Dhyana Mudra pose, watches over Kandy. You can see this impressive figure from almost anywhere in the city. Bodhimalu Viharaya is more than just a temple. It’s a beacon of peace, a testament to devotion, and a symbol of the enduring strength of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. The statue isn’t just big, it’s one of the tallest in the country. It stands at an incredible 26.83 meters high. Imagine the dedication it took to construct such a magnificent structure. The story of Bodhimalu Viharaya begins in the early 1970s. A monk named Ampitiye Dammarama Thero received a plot of land from the Minister of Lands, Hector Kobbekaduwa. This land, on Bahirawakanda hill, would become the temple’s home. Dammarama Thero lived in a simple dwelling as he worked tirelessly to raise funds for the temple’s construction. The path wasn’t easy. Senior monks from the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic opposed the project. They feared it would overshadow their own prestigious temple. However, Dammarama Thero persevered. In the 1980s, with the help of another influential monk, Hinatiyana Dhammaloka, he successfully petitioned President Ranasinghe Premadasa. The president intervened and legally granted the land to Dammarama Thero. Construction of the giant Buddha statue began in the late 1980s and was finally completed in 1992. The official opening ceremony, a moment of great pride and celebration, took place on January 1, 1993. President Premadasa himself presided over the event. Now, Bodhimalu Viharaya welcomes visitors from all over the world. They come to admire the giant Buddha, to soak in the peaceful atmosphere, and to connect with Sri Lanka’s rich Buddhist heritage. As you stand here, gaze up at the serene face of the Buddha, and let the tranquility of Bodhimalu Viharaya wash over you.