Maligawila, or Maligavila is a village in

Sri Lanka Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්‍රී ලංකා, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங்கை, Ilaṅkai, translit-std=ISO ()), formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an ...

, approximately south from Monaragala and from Okkampitiya in the Monaragala District. It is the site of several important archaeological pieces, including a free-standing or tall limestone

statue A statue is a free-standing sculpture in which the realistic, full-length figures of persons or animals are carved or cast in a durable material such as wood, metal or stone. Typical statues are life-sized or close to life-size; a sculpture t ...

of Buddha, claimed in some quarters to be the tallest free-standing statue of Buddha in the world, though the Avukana Buddha Statue is also said to be taller. This Buddha draws many tourists to the region. It also boasts the Avalokitesvara statue, a limestone portrait. These statues, which were discovered in the 1950s and restored between 1989 and 1991, are believed to have been commissioned by the 7th-century prince Agghabodhi.Plunkett et al., 267. There is additionally a 10th-century historical pillar placed in the 10th year of the rule of Mahinda IV (956-972 AD).

Gallery

Maaligavila - Muragala - Naatha Statue.jpg, Muragala from Maaligavila Naatha Statue stairway Maligavila Naatha Statue.jpg, Maligavila Naatha Statue stairway Muragala - Maligavila.jpg, A Muragala - Maligavila

References

Populated places in Uva Province Tourist attractions in Monaragala District Archaeological protected monuments in Monaragala District {{SriLanka-hist-stub