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| Sunday, 6 March 2005 |
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Kande Vihare to construct Sri Lanka's tallest Buddha Statue by Samangie Wettimuny Throughout its nearly three hundred years history, Kande Vihare in Aluthgama has been playing a vital role in the religious and cultural lives of thousands of Buddhist and Hindu devotees. With the aim of leaving a magnificent creation of the 21st century to the next generation the vihare has now launched the massive task of constructing the tallest Buddha statue of the country in the Vihare premises. The project is the brainchild of Ven. Batuwanhene Buddharakkitha Thera, the chief incumbent of Kande Vihare. Explaining the massive project, Ven. Yatadolawatte Ariyawansa Thera, Principal of Kande Vihare Pirivena said: "The brutal destruction of Bamiyan Buddha statue in Afghanistan stunned the entire world. Though it is difficult to replace such sculptural magnificance, the necessity to build such a huge statue was felt more than any other time. Also this statue is a response to the pleas made by several devotees." The Buddha Statue which is 160ft tall comprises ten storeys inside. Selected storeys will be decorated with frescoes, depicting the important incidents relating to Buddha Sasana. "Starting from India's Buddha Gaya upto the establishment of Buddhist institutions like Kande Vihare will be depicted through these frescoes", said the Thera. Underground buildings adjoining the statue consisting of Bhawana Maluwa hall, Dharmashala, a Buddhist book centre, a hall to arrange Poojas are also under construction. The attractive compound will be surrounded by a wall. Architectural magnificance of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa could be viewed in the main entrance with a staircase decorated with Sandakadapahana, Muragala, Sanchithorana and Korawakgal. An exhibition passage too will be erected." The statue is constructed in Bhoomi Sparsha Mudra. It is an Indian tradition which is not commonly used in Sri Lanka. Here large statues are normally constructed using Samadhi tradition. There is a deep rooted concept among Sri Lankan Buddhists that it is not quite proper to walk inside the statue. But according to Thera in countries like Japan there are certain statues even where elevators are used. "Anyway not all the storeys are open for exhibition." Already nearly 40 million was spent on this.An estimated 20 million is yet in need for the completion.The public who wishes to make contributions can credit their donations to the People's Bank Beruwala branch A/c number-1-65-003838-2 and Bank of Ceylon, Dharga Town Branch A/c number 0-002854-1. The massive project which is to be completed this year will definitely play a wider role as an islandwide religious institute. Milton Wijesundara engineers this massive project. Architectural design is by Rohana Dharmasena. |
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