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Dambulla cave temple is the largest cultural cave complex in Sri Lanka and an ancient temple in Sigiriya. A popular tourist attraction, the cave temple is one of the best experiences for visitors to Sri Lanka and a popular pilgrimage site for local worshippers. The surrounding town of Dambulla was built around this massive, isolated rock formation, and the Temple, rock and cave complex is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The name “Dambulla” comes from the Sinhalese words “Damba,” meaning rock, and “Ulla,” meaning fountain. The Dambulla Rock Cave Temple complex, located at the base of a 490-foot-high rock, consists of five caves that have been transformed into shrine rooms by various Kings over the centuries. These caves feature images of the Buddha and over 1,500 ceiling murals, showcasing a rich tapestry of art and architecture.
Dambulla stands out among the country’s many cave temples for being renowned as the most extensive and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. Visitors may approach the temple via the gentle slope of Dambulla rock, which offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding plains, including the iconic rock fortress Sigiriya, located 19 kilometres away.
Perched at an elevation of 1,118 feet above sea level, the Dambulla Cave Temple rises majestically from the surrounding plains of Dambulla. The entire Dambulla rock stretches over 2,000 feet long. This impressive cave complex features magnificent Buddha images and vivid rock paintings from the 2nd century BC (Anuradhapura era) to the 18th century (Kandyan era). The temple at the base of the climb is called ‘Rangiri Dambulla Viharaya’ (Golden Rock Dambulla Temple), which features a 65-foot Golden Buddha Statue, the 9th tallest in Sri Lanka.
The origins of the Dambulla Rock Cave Temple date back to the reign of King Vattagamini Abhaya (commonly known as King Valagamba) in the 1st century BC. During a South Indian invasion, King Valagamba sought refuge in these caves, hiding in this and other locations for 12 years after being forced to abandon his kingdom in Anuradhapura. Upon regaining his throne, he transformed the caves into Buddhist temples as a gesture of gratitude. He constructed walled partitions beneath the rock overhang, creating a large, unified cave complex, and added drip ledges to prevent rainwater from seeping inside. This king is credited with the establishment of the primary three caves.
Devaraja Lena, or the Lord of the Gods Temple, is the first cave in the Dambulla Cave complex. It houses a significant 45-foot statue of a reclining Buddha, representing the Parinirvana, or final passing away, of the Buddha. Near the feet of this colossal statue stands the figure of Venerable Ananda, the devoted disciple of Lord Buddha. Additionally, an image of the god Vishnu, believed to have been constructed during the same period, likely inspired the cave’s name, Devaraja Lena.
The second cave, known as the Maha Raja Vihara Lena or the Cave Temple of the Great Kings, is the largest and features statues of King Valagamba and King Nissankamalla. This expansive cave has around sixty statues.
A prominent feature of this cave is the stupa, surrounded by eleven seated Buddha images. Statues of several important deities are also present in the cave.
A highlight of this cave is the life-sized granite statue of a standing Buddha adorned with a Makara Torana (Dragon Arch) overhead. This statue is one of the gilded figures commissioned by King Nissankamalla, and traces of gold adorning it are still visible today. The dimly lit cave exudes a unique charm and serene atmosphere unmatched by other Buddhist temples.
Constructed by King Kirti Sri Rajasinha (1747-1782 AD) of Kandy, the Maha Alut Viharaya, or the Cave of the ‘Great New Temple’, is considered second only to the Maharajalena cave. This cave features two doorways adorned with Dragon Arch designs. It measures approximately 90 feet in length and 80 feet in width and reaches a height of about 36 feet near the entrance.
The cave boasts a 30-foot-long reclining Buddha statue carved directly from the living rock. Surrounding this prominent figure are about fifty Buddha statues, including a central seated Buddha with a Dragon Arch design sculpted from granite. Additionally, the cave contains around forty-two standing Buddha images and fifteen seated Buddha statues.
Originally the westernmost cave in the complex, the Paccima Viharaya, or the Cave of the ‘Western Temple’, had an additional cave added to its west side at a later period. The main attraction is a compassionately seated Buddha image in the ‘dhyana mudra’ posture, adorned with a Makara Torana. Similar images of the seated Buddha are placed around the cave.
A statue of King Kirti Sri Rajasinha is located near the right side of the entrance, with a mural depicting four of his attendants on the wall behind it. The cave’s stunning mural paintings, executed in the characteristic Kandyan style, include an impressive thousand-seated Buddha image painted on the rock ceiling, adding to the cave’s grandeur and historical significance.
Devana Alut Viharaya, the ‘Second New Temple,’ is the “newest” of the Dambulla cave temples. While the exact construction date is unknown, this cave features a large reclining Buddha image approximately 32 feet long. In addition, the cave houses eleven Buddha images in total, including both standing and seated figures. Notably, two of the seated Buddha statues are sheltered by the hood of the ‘Muchalinda’ Cobra. Unlike the granite rock statues found in the other caves, all the images in this cave are constructed from brick and plaster.
Rangiri Dambulla Temple
Kandy – Jaffna Hwy, Dambulla
Tel: +94662283605
Hours: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm (ticket counter closes at 5 pm)
Tickets: LKR 1,500 for adults and LKR 750 for kids) (Prices current as of September 2024)
