Located in Dikwella, 15 miles away from Matara in the southern tip of Sri Lanka is The Wewerukannala Viharaya. This is an ancient temple often thronged with worshippers throughout the year.
Overview
The main feature of the temple is a 50 m high statue of seated Buddha. This is considered the largest Buddha statute in all of Sri Lanka and dates back to the 1700s. If you are planning to visit this temple there are many ayurveda resorts in Sri Lanka in the vicinity the likes of Surya Lanka Ayurveda Beach Resort where you can base yourself in.
The temple
The temple could be classified into three distinctive parts. The oldest dating back to about 250 years is almost demolished is not of great importance. Next the tunnel of hell; this is a massive space with a life-size model of hell. This contains demons, sinners and various punishments one would be subjected to in hell such as being sawn in half, drowned in boiling cauldrons and being disembowelled.
Largest seated statue of Lord Buddha
Finally, there is the massive seated Buddha statue that is the size of a modern 8 storied building standing gracefully between the clouds. This statue is surrounded by a structure that appears to be a ring of lotus petals. This is to demarcate that the Buddha is sitting on a bed of lotuses to signify his holy grace and purity.
Interior
Apart from this majestic structure, a striking feature of the premises is the painting on the temple walls. It shows the path towards enlightenment and eternal peace through a series of ‘Jataka’ stories (stories of the past lives of Lord Buddha) including the ‘Chulla Dhammapala Jataka’, and the ‘Kattahari Jataka’.
Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+
