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    A Comprehensive Guide to Dambulla Cave Temple

    A Historical Guide To Exploring this Iconic Buddhist Gem
    Just half an hour from Sigiriya lies an enchanting escape for two in Dambulla. Infused with magical twists and rich with tales of kings, monks, art, and adventure, the rock and cave complex is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an important cultural treasure of the island. Dambulla stands out among the country's many cave temples and is renowned as the most extensive and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. This comprehensive guide to Dambulla Rock and the ancient cave temple will educate the history buff while providing a deeper dive into its treasures. The name "Dambulla" comes from the Sinhalese words "Damba," meaning rock, and "Ulla," meaning fountain. The Dambulla Cave Temple complex, located at the base of a 150-meter-high rock, consists of five caves that have been transformed into shrine rooms. These caves feature images of the Buddha and over 1,500 ceiling murals, showcasing a rich tapestry of art and devotion.

    Accessing Dambulla Temple

    Situated in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, the Dambulla Rock Cave Temple is 2 km from the town centre and conveniently accessible.

    Dambulla Cave Temple Overview

    Perched at an elevation of 1,118 feet above sea level, the Dambulla Cave Temple rises majestically from the surrounding plains of Dambulla. The rock towers are 600 feet high and stretch over 2,000 feet long. This site is renowned for its impressive cave complex, featuring magnificent Buddha images and vivid rock paintings from the 2nd century BC (Anuradhapura era) to the 18th century (Kandyan era). It is also known to the locals as ‘Dambulu Gala’ (Dambulla Rock). The temple at the base of the climb is called ‘Rangiri Dambulu Viharaya’ (Golden Rock Dambulla Temple), which features a 65-foot Golden Buddha Statue, the 9th tallest in Sri Lanka.

    Historical Significance of Dambulla Rock Cave Temple

    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 for 12 years after being forced to abandon his kingdom of 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. He established the complex’s three primary caves, Devarajalena, Maharajalena, and Paccimalena.

    For several centuries after King Valagamba’s reign, the cave temple received significant royal attention when King Vijayabahu I (1055-1110 AD) of Polonnaruwa undertook renovations. King Keerthi Sri Nissankamalla (1187-1196 AD) made substantial contributions, including constructing additional Buddha images and the gold plating of 73 statues. Subsequent kings, such as Buwanekabahu I (1372-1408 AD), Vickramabahu III (1360-1374 AD), Rajasinha I (1581-1591 AD), and Vimaladharmasuriya I (1592-1604 AD), also played roles in enhancing the temple’s status over the years.

    Archaeological findings indicate that these caves served as dwellings in prehistoric eras and provided secluded refuge for meditation by forest-dwelling monks, further enhancing the site’s allure and historical significance.

    Exploring the Magic of Dambulla’s Caves

    The Cave of the 'Lord of the Gods'

    Lord of the Gods

    The Cave of the 'Lord of the Gods'

    Devaraja Lena, or the Lord of the Gods Cave, is the first cave in the Dambulla Cave complex. It houses a 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 a statue of Venerable Ananda, an enlightened monk, a devoted disciple of Lord Buddha, and an avid student of the Buddha’s many discourses. Additionally, an image of the god Vishnu in the cave is believed to have been constructed during the reign of King Vattagamini Abhaya (89-77 BC), likely inspired the cave's name, Devaraja Lena.

    The current names of the cave temples were first recorded around 1700 AD, indicating they were assigned long after the initial construction period. Scholars suggest that the Buddha images in the cave date from a period later than the 2nd century BC, as the art of creating Buddha statues began after this time in Sri Lanka. The ancient paintings in the caves have undergone several renovations and were likely repainted in the 17th and 18th centuries. However, the paintings in this cave are now faded, primarily due to early worshippers' use of oil lamps and incense inside the enclosed space.

    The Cave of 'Great Kings'

    Maharaja Lena

    The Cave of 'Great Kings'

    This cave, known as the Maha Raja Vihara Lena or the Cave Temple of the Great Kings, features statues of King Valagamba and King Nissankamalla. The wooden statue of King Valagamba, detailed with painted features, is positioned near the cave entrance. There are around sixty statues in this expansive cave, which measures approximately 125 feet in length and 75 feet in width and reaches a height of 21 feet near the entrance.

    A prominent feature of this cave is the stupa, surrounded by eleven seated Buddha images. Statues of various gods, including Saman, Upulvan, Maithree, and Natha, are also present. The cave is the most significant and striking in the complex, boasting many Buddha statues in various postures, including seated, lying, and standing, each depicting different mudras such as samadhi, Abhaya, Varada, and Vitara.

    The 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 found in the statue are still visible today. The dimly lit cave exudes a unique charm and serene atmosphere unmatched by other Buddhist temples.

    The cave's rock paintings illustrate early Buddhist historical events, with thousands of murals adorning the ceiling and walls in vibrant designs and colours. An intriguing feature is a bowl placed to collect dripping water on the right side of the cave. As local lore goes, remarkably, this water source never dries up or overflows, even during severe droughts and rains, since ancient times.



    The Cave of the 'Great New Temple'

    Maha Alut Viharaya

    The Cave of the 'Great New Temple'

    Constructed by King Kirti Sri Rajasinha (1747-1782 AD) of the Kandy period, the Maha Alut Viharaya, or the Cave of the 'Great New Temple', is considered second only to the Maharajalena temple. 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.

    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 impressive thousand-seated Buddha images painted on the rock ceiling, adding to the cave's grandeur and historical significance.

    The Cave of the 'Western Temple'

    Paccima Viharaya

    The Cave of the 'Western Temple'

    Originally the westernmost cave in the complex, the Paccima Viharaya, or the Cave of the 'Western Temple', had an additional cave added to its western side. This cave measures approximately 50 feet in length and 27 feet in width. The main attraction is a beautifully 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 notable feature of this cave is a small dagaba, believed to contain the regalia jewellery of Queen Somawathi, the consort of King Valagamba. This chetiya is known as 'Soma Chetiya' after the queen. Though the murals painted on the chaitya have faded, they add to the cave's historical significance. The statues of the gods Vishnu and Saman are also found within this cave, contributing to its rich religious heritage.

    The Cave of the 'Second New Temple'

    Second New Temple

    The Cave of the 'Second New Temple'

    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.

    Silken Sunsets From the Summit

    As the sun begins its descent beyond the horizon, casting a golden hue over the landscape, the Dambulla Cave Complex transforms into a scene of breathtaking beauty. Perched atop the rock, overlooking the vast expanse below, couples are treated to a truly magical moment as they witness the silken sunset unfold before their eyes. The warm colours paint the sky in a mesmerising display, creating an ambience of serenity. For photography enthusiasts, capturing this fantastic setting sun scene against the backdrop of the lush landscape offers an opportunity for genuinely stunning photographs of this enchanting moment.

    A Scenic Walking Trail

    Experience a romantic stroll around the temple rock, a scenic 3.5 km walking trail that takes approximately 40 minutes to an hour. Follow the marked blue trail at the Golden Temple that doubles back to the ticket office. Enjoy the stunning scenery, which includes a small ruin along the way, Somawathi Stupa, which is believed to have been made for King Valagamba’s Queen Consort. The trail will also take you past a small lake and a tranquil paddy field.

    Conclusion

    From the mesmerising grandeur of its towering rock formations and silken sunsets to the ancient intricate sculptures and artistry displayed within the caves, every step of this journey is a testament to this sacred site’s rich history and cultural significance.

    Tips:

    Location and Hours of Operation

    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)

    Speak to Our Concierge
    Telephone
    +94 76 757 8865
    whatsapp
    +94 76 757 8865
    Address
    2D,
    Inner Bagatalle Road,
    Colombo 03,
    Sri Lanka.

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