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Rock-hewn Buddha Statue of Dowa Cave Temple By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated a few kilometers away from the ancient hamlet of Dowa (or Dhowa) on *Badulla-Bandarawela Road, approximately seven kilometers from Bandarawela town, the location of the Temple is breathtaking as it is situated at the foot of a hillock on the banks of a charming hill stream. The Temple buildings are located downhill with steep steps that lead to the famed cave temple. The hamlet has gained the name of “Dowa” as it is located within a ring of breathtaking mountains and a river which flows across the plateau. The Temple is well-known due to the large Buddha Statue in the temple premises, considered as an example of Mahayana (a collection of Buddhist traditions: Zen Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism) sculpture. According to chronicles, the Temple has been constructed during the reign of King Walagamba (103 BC and ...