What makes the Dambulla Cave Temple Special?

The Dambulla Cave Temple, which also goes by the name, the Royal Rock Temple, is not the usual Buddhist temple that you might have already visited in many other sites on your visit to Sri Lanka. This temple is located in a cave complex on a hilltop and offers incredible views of the surrounding including the famous Lion Rock in Sigiriya.

Religious Significance

As the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, the Dambulla Cave Temple has been a sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhists since the third century BC. Today, it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to Buddhist mural paintings that cover an impressive area of 2,100 m2. Five main caves make up the temple with each cave acting as a shrine room. A total of 157 statues can be found in this temple complex. Some of the early paintings go back to the 8th century AC. The walls and uneven ceilings carved out of rock are covered in mural art. With the statues of golden hues, the view you can take in as you walk through the dark caves is remarkable. What is even more awe-striking is that artists had gone through the commitment of carving out caves by hand to make a Buddhist monastery and enhanced its value by filling the entire space with religious paintings and sculptures.

Getting There

The Dambulla Cave Temple is only a half an hour walk from the centre of Dambulla. A bus ride or a taxi ride will not take more than 5 minutes. If you are travelling from Sigiriya, you can catch a bus that is heading in the direction of Dambulla and you'll be there in half an hour. However, don't tire yourself with travelling since there is 20-minute climb up the hill to get to the cave. Staying at Hotels in Dambulla such as the properties offered by Thema Collection is probably the most convenient way to make the most out of your trip to Dambulla because you can visit other attractions in Habarana and Sigirya too. In addition, prepare for a long walk with your most comfortable shoes or sandals and ensure that you are dressed modestly with covered legs and arms. The panoramic views are sure to stun you, so grab your camera gear when you go. It is considered disrespectful to take photos with your back facing the Buddha statues, so it's best to avoid doing so. In addition, you will find excited Toque Macaques during your hike, but do not try to pet them and be particularly careful with your belongings around them.

More About the Five Caves

The first cave is called Dev Raja Viharaya, translating to the temple of the King of Gods. The natural rock has been carved out into a Buddha statue that is about 47 feet in length. The statue is interlocked to the cave's natural rock. The second cave is the largest and most attractive one of the temple and is called the Maha Raja Viharaya or the temple of the Great King. It is believed that King Watta Gamini Abhaya was the founder of this cave. The entrance includes a life-size Buddha statue under a "Makara Thorana" which is an archway with a mythical dragon-like creature. Nearly 60 statues line up the second cave and the rock ceiling is completely covered in brilliant paintings taking orange and yellowish tones. The third cave is the Great New Temple cave, Maha Aluth Viharaya, which was renovated by King Kirthi Sri Rajasinha. This cave represents the artistic tradition of the Kandyan period and contains 50 sculptures of the Buddha. The fourth cave is the Paschima Viharaya or the Western Temple and you will be amazed to see a stupa called Soma Cetiya at the cave's centre. The fifth cave of the temple complex is its latest addition and is called the Devana Aluth Viharaya.