Standing Buddha statue, Aukana, near Sigiriya, Sri Lanka, Asia

Giant statue dating from the 5th century, of the standing Buddha giving a blessing with his right hand, and lifting the robe to signify reincarnation with his left hand, Aukana, Sri Lanka, Asia

Lotus flowers offerings beneath statue of Buddha, Aukana, Sri Lanka, Asia

Buddhist monks in front of the giant standing statue of the Buddha dating from the 5th century, Aukana, Sri Lanka, Asia

Buddhist monks in front of the giant standing statue of the Buddha dating from the 5th century, Aukana, Sri Lanka, Asia

Statue of Buddha, 12 metres tall, carved in granite, Aukana, north of Dambulla, Sri Lanka, Asia

Statue of Buddha, 12 metres tall, carved in granite, Aukana, north of Dambulla, Sri Lanka, Asia

Giant statue dating from the 5th century, of the standing Buddha giving a blessing with his right hand, and lifting the robe to signify reincarnation with his left hand, Aukana, Sri Lanka, Asia

Giant standing statue of the Buddha, his right hand raised in blessing, the left hand lifting the robe symbolising reincarnation, Aukana, Sri Lanka, Asia

Young monk offers flowers, Aukana Buddha, 39 ft high, Sri Lanka, Asia

Pilgrims seated in front of the 39 ft high standing Buddha, Aukana, Sri Lanka, Asia

Aukana Buddha Statue, Avukana, Sri Lanka, Asia

Aukana Buddha Statue, Avukana, Sri Lanka, Asia