Can I see it from the city?

Yes, it is visible from much of Kandy.

What is near Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue?

Explore the area on this page lists 5 places around Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue, with the distance to each.

Can I ask a question about Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue that is not answered here?

Yes. Use "Ask a question" under "Travelers are asking" on this page. The bookingMentor team answers it, and the answer then appears on the page for other travellers too.

Is there an entrance fee?

A small fee is charged for foreigners.

When is the best time to visit?

Early morning or late afternoon.

When was the Bahirawakanda Buddha built?

Work began in the late 1980s, the statue was finished in 1992 and it was opened on 1 January 1993.

How long should I spend at Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue?

Most visitors spend 45 minutes at Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue.

Which airport is closest to Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue?

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the airport for Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue, about 83 km away in a straight line.

Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue

Q: What is the view like?

The terrace gives wide views over the town and lake.

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Bahirawakanda Vihara, hill above Kandy town, Sri Lanka

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In short

From its hilltop above Kandy, the 88-foot white seated Buddha at Bahirawakanda Vihara looks out over the town and lake. Entry is paid. About 45 minutes covers the statue and the view, which suits travellers wanting a high vantage point. Dress modestly at the temple.

The Bahirawakanda Buddha is a white seated Buddha, 88 feet (26.83 m) tall, at the Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya on Bahirawakanda hill, about 2 km from the centre of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It overlooks the city and can be seen from much of it. It suits visitors who want wide views over the town and lake.

A 1972 hilltop temple the Tooth Temple monks opposed

In the early 1970s the Minister of Lands, Hector Kobbekaduwa, gave the hilltop to Ven. Ampitiye Dammarama Thero of the Amarapura Nikaya, and the temple was consecrated in 1972. Senior monks of the Temple of the Tooth objected that it would overshadow their centre, and the land was only formally granted after President Ranasinghe Premadasa stepped in during the 1980s. Work on the statue began in the late 1980s and finished in 1992. Premadasa opened it on 1 January 1993.

Meditation-posture Buddha and the lit terrace

The Buddha sits in the dhyana mudra, the meditation posture, and is one of the tallest Buddha statues in Sri Lanka. The terrace gives wide views over the town and lake, and the statue is lit after dark.

Fact-checked by the bookingMentor Travel Desk Reviewed November 4, 2026 · Updated when rules or prices change

We check practical details such as entry rules, seasons and costs against official government and tourism sources.

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Key information

🧘Statue: Seated Buddha, 88 feet

🎟️Entry: Small fee for foreigners

🌙At night: Statue lit after dark

🛺Getting there: Tuk-tuk recommended

🕐Time Zone: Sri Lanka Standard Time (UTC+5:30)

Explore the area

View in a map

National Museum of Kandy 1.3 km

International Buddhist Museum 1.4 km

Royal Palace of Kandy 1.4 km

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic 1.4 km

Kandy Lake 1.5 km

See all about this area

✦ Plan your visit to Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue Dates, opening hours and how to get there are below. Booking ahead secures your preferred day.

Highlights Include:

Experiences

White seated Buddha
Terrace views over Kandy
Lake view