Dambulla Cave Temple Sri Lanka: The Ultimate Travel Guide
Dambulla Cave Temple Sri Lanka: The Ultimate Travel Guide
A UNESCO World Heritage Site of exceptional beauty, Dambulla
Cave Temple in Sri Lanka is an absolute must-visit when you are visiting the
country. It is one of the oldest pilgrimage sites (as old as 2200 years!) on
the island and forms an essential part of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. A trip
to Sri Lanka is incomplete without seeing the exotic Buddhist murals covering
the Dambulla caves.
History of Dambulla Cave Temple, Sri Lanka
Located in the Matale district, Dambulla Cave Temple is a
set of more than 80 large rock-cut, cave temples in Central Sri Lanka. However,
majority of the attractive murals and Buddha statues are concentrated in 5 main
shrines which are the most impressive.
Dambulla Cave Temple Complex holds an important place in the
history of Buddhism because of the fact that it has been continuously used as a
place of worship for more than two centuries now. Another specialty is that the
caves have been painted in such a manner that devotees can systematically move
through the spaces and rituals at the same time.
These caves are ancient. It is believed that prehistoric Sri
Lankans lived in these caves after which Buddhist monks came to inhabit them
around 3rd century BC.
In the 1st century, King Valagamba (also known as
Vattagamani Abhaya) took refuge here after being driven out of Anuradhapura.
When he regained his throne, he had these caves converted into temples. Later
Nissanka Malla from the Polonnaruwa Kingdom added the murals and gilded the
caves.
Dambulla caves have been continuously inhabited ever since
and function as living temples even now. If you are lucky, you can catch a
ritual or two.
Stunning frescoes adorn the ceilings and walls of the
Dambulla caves in Sri LankaStunning frescoes adorn the ceilings and walls of
the Dambulla caves in Sri Lanka.
Interesting facts about Dambulla Cave Temple
1 The cave temples of Dambulla are located on a hillock that
is 160m high.
2 These caves are ancient and have been used as temples for
more than 2000 years now.
what do you know about Ridge boundary view
3 5 different caves of various sizes house 157 Buddha
statues in several positions.
4 The interior of the caves are covered with beautiful
murals and thoroughly gilded. Hence, the temple complex is often referred to as
Ran Giri or the Golden Rock.
You can view Sigiriya Rock Fortress (more on that below)
from the Dambulla hill.
The arched colonnades and gabled entrances that you will see
outside the temples have only been added recently in 1938. These give the
churches an almost-church-like feel.
Best things to do in Dambulla
The best things to do in the cave temple complex of
Dambulla, Sri Lanka include getting awed by the Buddhist mural paintings that
cover the walls and ceilings of Dambulla caves and admiring 157 statues of
Buddha in various sizes and poses.
Cave of the Divine King
As you enter into the complex, the first cave on your right
is called the Cave of the Divine King. Built in the 1st century, this cave is
smaller in size when compared to others and houses a 14-meter Buddha statue
which almost fills it up.
The frescoes in this cave are believed to be the oldest in
Dambulla. Do not forget to check out Buddha’s feet here that have been painted
too.
Right next to this cave is a small Hindu temple where you
can experience some rituals.
Buddha's feet in the first cave at DambullaFrescoed feet of
Buddha in the Cave of the Divine King at Dambulla.
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Cave of the Great Kings
The second cave is probably the most exquisite of them all.
It is the largest and the most decorated. There are 16 standing and 40 seated
statues of Buddha here as well as one each of the Hindu God, Vishnu and Sri
Lankan deity, Saman. You will also see the statue of two illustrious Sinhala
kings here: King Vattagamani and King Nissanka Malla from the ancient kingdom
of Polonnaruwa.
Red and yellow are the dominant colors used in the paintings
as well as for dressing up Buddha statues.
In this cave, you will see a spring in the cracks of the
ceiling. Water drips through it and is considered to be holy. However, what is
remarkable and totally unmissable is the cave’s amazing collection of ceiling
murals that depict scenes from Buddha’s life. Quite unlike what I had seen at
the Badami Cave Temples in India which are covered with intricate carvings
instead.
If you wish to see the best display of Dambulla cave temple
paintings, do not miss Cave 2. This is, by far, the most attractive shrine in
the entire complex.
Frescoes at the rock-cut cave temples of DambullaBeautiful
frescoes adorn the ceilings and walls of the second cave temple at Dambulla
also known as the Cave of the Great Kings.
Great New Monastery
This cave is smaller than the second one and has paintings
in the distinct Kandyan style. You will also see a statue of the king here.
Fourth & Fifth caves of Dambulla
The 4th and 5th caves of Dambulla are the smallest in the
entire ensemble. There is a sleeping Buddha image in Cave #4. The fifth one has
a small stupa surrounded by Buddha figurines.
Panoramic View of Sigiriya
One of the additional but unusual attractions about visiting
Dambulla Cave Temple is the fact that you can get a panoramic view of the
Sigiriya Rock Fortress from here. On your way down from the temple, almost at
halfway, make sure you wait for a moment and catch a glimpse of the ancient
rock fortress.
Dambulla Golden Buddha
Once you walk down the trail, you will greeted by a huge
Buddha statue known as the Golden Buddha. This is a relatively new addition to
the Dambulla landscape. Attached to it are a beautiful temple and museum that
you can also visit.
Perhaps, the most interesting addition to the frame is a
line of Buddhist monks that are so lifelike they give you an impression that they
are all walking towards the temple. This took me back to my times in Southeast
Asia where such sights are pretty common.
Where stay in dambulla
When you are traveling in Dambulla, you are welcome to call
the ridge boundary view as a convenient place to stay.
10 things do in Ridge boundary viewRead more
Dambulla Cave Temple Entrance Fee & Tickets
Entrance tickets to Dambulla Cave Temple in Sri Lanka are
priced at LKR 1500 (approx. USD 8) per ticket. As far as remember, the entrance
fee for SAARC citizens is also the same which is not usually the case at other
heritage sites such as Kandy and Polonnaruwa.
This is very
important. Note that no tickets are available at the temple entrance on top of
the hill. So, you have to purchase your tickets before you start climbing the
stairs. Otherwise you will have to come all the way down again to get them.
Getting to the right ticket office!
Earlier, the entrance to the cave temples used to be via the
Golden Buddha Temple. But that is no longer the case. All tourists now need to
buy their tickets from a ticket office that is a little further away from the
Golden Buddha. Locals can still go via Golden Buddha.
Honestly, the ticket office is quite inconspicuous! No
signs!!!
Feel free to ask any local for directions to the ticket
office and they will help. If that is hard, get a tuk-tuk. In my opinion, the
best way is to get a cab or tuk-tuk and ask the driver to take you to the right
place.
Don’t start climbing from the Golden Buddha entrance. That
is the wrong entrance if you are not a local!
If you are driving yourself, make sure you go to the car
park/entrance on Colombo Road/Kandy Road. Again, if you see a huge Golden
Buddha from your car park, then you are at the wrong place.
Dambulla Cave Temple Steps
The view from DambullaEnjoy stunning views of the Sri Lankan
countryside as you climb the steps to Dambulla Cave Temple.
You have to climb 348 stairs to get to the Dambulla Cave Temple at the top
of the hill. The trail is shaded for most part so you don’t have to endure the
sun much. But there are monkeys around. Don’t hold food in your hands or leave
anything hanging from your bags.
It is a steep climb up. I suggest you take water breaks in
between and wear good shoes. Also do not forget to appreciate the beautiful
scenery of the countryside from the stairs. There are some great photo ops
here.
There are a few souvenir shops at the top of the hill.
Nothing much in terms of food or drinks. So carry your own stuff. Definitely, a
lot of water.
Once you are done with your cave temple tour which should take
a couple of hours max, you can take the old walking trail that leads to the
Golden Buddha. Don’t take the stairs back. Just follow the locals.
This is the route where you can spot the Sigiriya Rock. Once
you get down, you can visit the temple adjoining Golden Buddha, use the
washrooms, and have some refreshments.
If you are riding a tuk-tuk or taxi, ask your driver to wait
for you in the Golden Buddha car park.
Dambulla Cave Temple Dress Code
As with all the other temples in Sri Lanka, including the Temple
of Tooth in Kandy and many sacred shrines in Polonnaruwa, you will have to
cover your shoulders and legs when you enter the Dambulla Cave Temple complex.
Get a scarf/sarong for the same.
Hats and shoes are not allowed. You can leave them with the
rental guy right outside the entrance. Charges are minimal.
Massive Golden Buddha in Dambulla Sri LankaThe Golden Buddha
is one of the most iconic attractions in Dambulla, Sri Lanka.
Dambulla Cave Temple Opening Hours
The cave temples of Dambulla are open between 7am – 7pm
every day. However, the ticket office closes at 5pm. Get here before that, take
your ticket, and enjoy a beautiful sunset from top of the hill.
Best Time to visit Dambulla Cave Temple
Honestly, the best time to visit any place in Sri Lanka is
early in the morning or later in the afternoon (right before sunset).
Days are usually pretty hot. And it can get terribly hot and
humid around noon. Add to that the fact that you will have to walk barefoot on
scalding hot rock. That is definitely not a pleasant experience!
Mornings and evenings are far less crowded. I have also
heard that the sunsets here are majestic.
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During the year, between November – February is considered a
good time because of lower temperatures and humidity levels.
Buddha statues at Dambulla Cave Temple in Sri LankaRows of
Buddha at the Dambulla Cave Temple in Sri Lanka.
Getting around Dambulla
The easiest way to get around Dambulla is in a tuk-tuk, the
most common three wheeler found everywhere in Sri Lanka. Tuk-tuks are cheap.
Alternately, you can also hire a private taxi and ask the
driver to take you around. Taxi Dambulla and Dambulla Taxi Service have good
reviews on Google.
Is Dambulla worth visiting?
Absolutely! If you are a history buff, then you have to come
here especially because the cave temples of Dambulla are one of the oldest not
just in Sri Lanka but in the entire world. Plus, the murals here are stunning.
If you are neither a history addict nor an art connoisseur,
come here for the views because you can get some really amazing ones here.
Loved our guide to Dambulla cave temple? Pin it for later
reference!
The beautiful Dambulla Cave Temple in Sri Lanka is a
must-have on every Sri Lankan itinerary. Visit these rock-cut cave temples to
have a look at some mindblowing Sri Lankan frescoes. Pray at the Golden Temple
of Sri Lanka and get rewarded with some stunning views of Sri Lankan
countryside
The beautiful Dambulla Cave Temple in Sri Lanka is a
must-have on every Sri Lankan itinerary. Visit these rock-cut cave temples to
have a look at some mindblowing Sri Lankan frescoes. Pray at the Golden Temple
of Sri Lanka and get rewarded with some stunning views of Sri Lankan countryside.
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