Kushtarajagala :

An extraordinary rock carving

Kushtarajagala is an extraordinary rock carving of a figure near the Weligama town in the Southern province.

It depicts the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas

A king from a foreign country ailing from a skin disease had come on a pilgrimage to Agrabodhi Vihara and had constructed this image for a vow made to God Vishnu

Today this statue is the only preserved statue in the Wet Zone. Many people go to worship this statue to seek relief from diseases.

This site is considered to be a place where the ancient Avalokitesshvara-Natha temple stands.

Folk stories refer to a king who had been suffering from a skin ailment, building the statue and the temple to fulfil a vow.

A king from a foreign country ailing from a skin disease had come on a pilgrimage to Agrabodhi Vihara and had constructed this image for a vow made to God Vishnu.

The other is that of a prince from Sri Lanka with a skin ailment who had built the statue after getting cured by making a vow to Agrabodhi Vihara.

As there is evidence to identify that this statue is of Natha Bodhisatva, the folk stories could be accepted to some extent as there was a belief that this Bodhisatva had healing powers.

The upper part of the statue is uncovered and the lower part is covered with a dhoti and a decorative girdle.

The neck is adorned with a few necklaces, the arms with bangles and the feet with anklets. Vitarka Mudra (Right), Kataka Hasta Mudra (Left) and four figures of the Amitabha Dhyani Buddha on the head gear are found on the statue.

“Avaloktheeshvara” Bodhisattva is one of the most powerful bodhi sattvas in Mahayana Buddhism. He is thought to be the most powerful healer of mankind. It is interesting to note that even folklore about this statue relates to the healing of a king.

-Compiled by Husna Inayathullah