Samadhi Buddha Statue at Anuradhapura

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before restoration – photo taken on late 1800′s or early 1900′s

Anuradhapura Samadhi Statue — before restoration – photo taken on late 1800′s or early 1900′s

Located between the towering Abhayagiriya Stupa and the Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds) of the ancient Abhayagiri Monastery, the Samadhi Statue is regarded as one of the finest examples of sculptural art from the early Anuradhapura period. Believed to have been created in the 3rd or 4th century, this statue is carved from dolomite marble and stands at a height of 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 meters).

Rediscovery and Restoration

The statue was rediscovered at its present site in 1886, lying damaged on the ground with a broken nose. Although it was re-erected, early attempts to reconstruct the nose were unsuccessful and unsightly. In 1914, further damage was caused by treasure hunters, necessitating another reconstruction, which again failed to blend aesthetically with the original.

The Bodhighara Shrine

One of the most striking features of the statue is its eyes, which are hollow, suggesting that they were once inlaid with crystal or precious stones. Archaeological excavations revealed that the statue was originally one of four placed around a Bodhi tree, forming part of a Bodhighara (Bodhi tree shrine). In the 1960s, excavations uncovered remnants of this shrine, including an Asanagala (seat of the Buddha) and a Sri Pathul Gala (stone representing the sacred footprint). Of the four seated Buddha statues that once surrounded the tree, only the one facing north remains intact. Fragments of a second image on the southern side have been found, while the remaining two are believed to have been relocated at some point in history.

Artistic Features and Facial Expressions

The Samadhi Statue is carved from a single block of stone. It depicts the Buddha in the Veerasana posture, with the right leg resting on the left and the soles of the feet facing upwards. The figure is clad in a thin, body-hugging robe that covers only the left shoulder, with no visible folds. The hair is represented by snail-shell curls, and there is no urna roma (forehead mark) depicted. A unique aspect of the statue is its facial expression, which appears to change depending on the angle of view—slightly sad when viewed from one side, subtly smiling from the other, and showing a serene, neutral expression from the front.

Present Condition and the Bodhisattva Image House

In the present day, the statue is sheltered by a concrete structure that many believe detracts from its elegance and natural surroundings. The poorly reconstructed nose remains a visual distraction from the statue’s otherwise serene beauty.

Adjacent to the Samadhi Statue are the ruins of what is known as the Bodhisattva Image House. According to the Mahavamsa, Sri Lanka’s ancient chronicle, King Dhatusena (459–477 CE) constructed an image house dedicated to Maithree Bodhisattva to the left of the Abhayagiriya Bodhi Tree Shrine, adorned with royal decorations. Archaeological finds in this area include a limestone Bodhisattva statue, unearthed from the rubble and dated to the 5th century, which is believed to have belonged to this ancient shrine built by King Dhatusena.

Important Information for Foreign Tourists Visiting Sites at Sacred City of Anuradhapura

Most of the more popular sites in Anuradhapura strictly check for tickets from tourists, while the less-visited sites tend to be more relaxed due to the lack of staff. However, tourists should be cautious, as some unscrupulous tuk-tuk drivers may attempt to exploit this situation.

They sometimes offer to take foreign tourists along routes where ticket checks are less common or even try to collect the entrance fee themselves, claiming they will purchase the tickets on the tourists’ behalf. Tourists are strongly advised not to fall for such scams, as this can lead to unnecessary complications with site security or the police.

Information on the Anuradhapura Cultural Heritage Ticket and where and how to purchase can be found here

Maithree Bodhisattva Image house near Samadhi Statue

References

Seneviratna, A. (1994). Ancient Anuradhapura: The Monastic City (1st ed.). Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka.

Also See

Anuradhapura – The city of the God Kings
Solosmasthana – The Sixteen Buddhist Sacred Sites Hallowed by Buddha
Atamasthana – The Eight Sacred Sites in Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura Samadhi Statue Map

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Driving Directions to Anuradhapura Samadhi Statue

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Bus

Anuradhapura can be conveniently reached by bus, train, or private transport. Both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses operate from the Colombo Fort Main Bus Station. In addition, luxury buses departing from various locations in Colombo travel via Anuradhapura to Vavuniya and Jaffna; these require advance online booking and generally operate overnight, arriving at their final destinations early in the morning.

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Train

Five daily trains operate from Colombo Fort Railway Station to Anuradhapura. Typically, the first train departs at 9.40 a.m. and the last at 8.30 p.m. The journey takes approximately four to five hours, depending on the number of stops made by the particular service.

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Car or Van

Anuradhapura can be accessed from Colombo via several routes, with the two primary corridors running through Puttalam and Kurunegala. The Puttalam route passes the scenic Wilpattu area. From Kurunegala, there are two main approaches: the more commonly used route via Dambulla and an alternative route via Galgamuwa. Among all options, the Kurunegala–Dambulla route (Route 2) is the most frequently used.

Route 01 from Colombo to Anuradhapura	Route 02 from Colombo to Anuradhapura
Through: Negombo – Chilaw – Puttalam Distance from Colombo: 210 km Travel time: 4.30-5.00 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps	Through: Negombo – Chilaw – Puttalam Distance from Colombo: 210 km Travel time: 4.30-5.00 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.
Route 03 from Colombo to Anuradhapura	Route from Kandy to Anuradhapura
Through : Katunayake Expressway – Narammala – Wariyapola – Padeniya – Thambuthegama Distance from Colombo: 203 km Travel Time: 4.30-5.00 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps	Through: Katugastota – Matale – Dambulla Distance from Colombo: 136 km Travel Time: 3.5 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps