Buduuruwagala, Wellawaya, Sri Lanka.

Buduruwagala is located about 5 km from the Wellawaya on the Thanamalwila road. The name Buduruwagala means “the rock with the statue of Buddha” And this is exactly what it is. Seven figured are carved in this rock with a massive 51 foot Buddha statue in the Abhaya Mudra gesture at the centre. The rock it self has shape of a kneeling elephant with its head own. Although there is no documented information about this site in the ancient scriptures, Different historians have dated these statues from the 6th centuary to late Anuradhapura period. (between 8 – 10 Century). These carvings are of the Mahayana Buddhist style and belongs to the Pallawa- Sri Lankan art tradition and similar to the statues at Dova Temple.- http://amazinglanka.com/wp/buduruwagala/

Wellawaya to Butthala, A4 highway, Sri Lanka.

 

Wellawaya on the Colombo - Ampara highway, Sri Lanka.

Diyaluma to Wellawaya, Sri Lanka.

Buduruwagala, Wellawaya, Sri Lanka.

Close to Wellawaya situated in shrub jungle is this massive rock on which there are some Mahayanist Buddhist carvings. In the center is a massive figure of the Buddha. On the Buddhas right are Avalokiteswara and two consorts. On the left of Avalokiteswara the Bodhisatwa is the bare breasted Tara in the 'three bends' pose (Thivanka). On the right of Avalokiteswara is Sudhanakumara.The identity of the figures on the left of the Buddha are thought to be of another Bodhisattwa - ?Vajrapani. There are some iconic indications here of Tibetan Buddhist influence. These images are the finest example of Mahayana culture in Sri Lanka and are estimated to be more than a thousand years old. These are the omitted chapters in our traditional Theravada chronicles.