Quick answer
The Bahirawakanda Buddha statue is a white seated Buddha, roughly 27 metres tall, on a hilltop about two kilometres west of the centre of Kandy. It belongs to the Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya and was completed in the early 1990s. A tuk-tuk reaches the temple in about ten minutes, or you can walk up in 20 to 30 steep minutes. Visitors pay a small donation-style fee, remove shoes, and can climb stairs behind the statue for a view over the whole city.
Key takeaways
- The Bahirawakanda Buddha is roughly 27 metres (about 88 feet) high and depicts the Buddha seated in the meditation posture.
- Bahirawakanda means "hill of Bahirawa", after a demon to whom, legend says, young women were once sacrificed.
- The temple terrace at Bahirawakanda looks east over Kandy Lake, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and Udawattakele forest.
- The Bahirawakanda statue is floodlit after dark and can be seen from most of central Kandy.
- The climb from the clock tower to Bahirawakanda is about two kilometres and gains roughly 150 metres.
What Bahirawakanda is
Bahirawakanda is a hill on the western side of Kandy, crowned by the Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya and its large Buddha image. The statue shows the Buddha in the dhyana mudra, the posture of meditation, with hands resting in the lap. It was begun in the 1970s and opened to the public in the early 1990s.
The Bahirawakanda temple is a working monastery, not a monument. Monks live on the site, local families come with flowers in the evening, and there is a small shrine room and a bo tree on the terrace. The scale of the statue is the draw for visitors, although the atmosphere is that of a neighbourhood temple.
The legend behind the name
Bahirawakanda takes its name from Bahirawa, a fierce guardian spirit of Sri Lankan folk belief. According to Kandyan legend, the hill was the home of this demon, and in the time of the kings a young woman was offered to it each year to protect the city.
The best-known story of Bahirawakanda tells of a girl called Dingiri Menika, chosen for sacrifice and rescued by her lover during the night. She survived, the story goes, and the practice was abandoned. Whether any of it happened is unknown, but the tale is told to every Kandyan child and explains why a Buddha now sits where a demon was feared.
Getting up the hill
Getting to Bahirawakanda is easiest by tuk-tuk. The road climbs steeply from the centre in a series of bends and takes about ten minutes. Ask the driver to wait, since there are few vehicles at the top, or agree a return price before you set off.
Walking to Bahirawakanda is possible for anyone used to hills. The route from the clock tower follows Sri Pushpadana Mawatha and then a signposted side road, about two kilometres in all. There is little shade and no pavement on the upper part, so go early or late.
- →Tuk-tuk: about ten minutes each way from the centre.
- →On foot: 20 to 30 minutes up, steep throughout.
- →Parking: a small area at the gate for cars and vans.
- →Combine with: the central market or the station, which lie at the foot of the hill.
What to do at the top
A visit to Bahirawakanda begins at the ticket desk, where foreign visitors pay a modest fee that supports the temple. Shoes come off at the terrace steps. The stone can be hot in the middle of the day, so socks are useful.
The view from Bahirawakanda is the reason to come. The terrace faces east, with the lake, the temple roofs and the green block of Udawattakele directly ahead and the Knuckles Range and Hunnasgiriya on the horizon in clear weather. A staircase behind the statue climbs to about shoulder height for a higher angle.
- →Dress: shoulders and knees covered, as at any Buddhist temple.
- →Photography: allowed, but never pose with your back to the statue.
- →Time needed: 30 to 45 minutes.
- →Facilities: a small shop and basic toilets near the gate.
The best time to go
The best time to visit Bahirawakanda depends on what you want from the view. In the morning the sun is in front of you and the city can be hazy, though the air is cool. In the late afternoon the sun is behind the statue and lights the town and hills evenly.
Dusk at Bahirawakanda is popular because the city lights come on below while the statue is illuminated above. The temple generally stays open into the evening. Rain and low cloud can hide everything, particularly from October to December, so look up from the town before you commit to the climb.
- →7 to 9 in the morning: cool, quiet, hazier view.
- →4.30 to 6 in the afternoon: best light on the city.
- →After dark: the floodlit statue and the lights of Kandy.
Bahirawakanda or Arthur's Seat
Bahirawakanda and Arthur's Seat are the two classic viewpoints of Kandy and face each other across the town. Arthur's Seat, on the hill south of the lake, is closer to the water and gives the postcard picture of the lake and temple. Bahirawakanda is higher and further back, with a wider sweep.
Choosing between Bahirawakanda and Arthur's Seat is easy if time is short. Go to Arthur's Seat if you want the photograph and are already walking the lake. Go to Bahirawakanda if you want a temple visit with the view. Lankan Stays & Trails often includes Bahirawakanda late on an arrival afternoon, when travellers want a short outing after the drive.
Frequently asked questions
How tall is the Bahirawakanda Buddha statue?
The Bahirawakanda Buddha statue is roughly 27 metres tall, which is about 88 feet. It stands on a hill that rises around 150 metres above central Kandy, which is why it can be seen from most parts of the city, especially when it is lit at night.
Is there an entrance fee for Bahirawakanda?
Foreign visitors are asked for a small entrance contribution at Bahirawakanda, typically the equivalent of one or two US dollars. The amount changes from time to time, so carry small notes. The money goes towards the upkeep of the temple.
Can you walk to Bahirawakanda from Kandy town?
You can walk to Bahirawakanda from the clock tower in 20 to 30 minutes. The road is steep, with little shade and stretches without a pavement. Many visitors take a tuk-tuk up and walk down, which is easier on the legs and the lungs.
What should I wear to Bahirawakanda temple?
Wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees, as you would for the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Shoes and hats must be removed on the terrace. A light scarf or sarong in your bag is enough to make shorts or a sleeveless top acceptable.
Is Bahirawakanda worth visiting?
Bahirawakanda is worth 45 minutes if you enjoy city views or have a spare late afternoon. It is not essential on a one-day visit, where the temple, the lake and the botanic gardens come first. Skip it in heavy cloud, when there is nothing to see.
What time does Bahirawakanda close?
Bahirawakanda temple is generally open from early morning until around 8 in the evening, which allows visits after dark to see the city lights. Hours are not fixed in the way a museum's are, so confirm locally if you plan to go late.