Visiting Dambulla Cave Temple, Dambulla, Sri Lanka

"The Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple is a living Buddhist site that is focused on a series of five cave shrines. Inhabited by forest-dwelling Buddhist monks since the 3rd century BCE, these natural caves have been transformed continuously throughout the historical period into one of the largest and most outstanding Buddhist complexes in the Southern and South Eastern Asian region, showcasing innovative approaches to interior layout and decoration." - Source: UNESCO World Heritage listing

Dambulla Cave Temple consists of five caves carved into a massive rock. Each cave contains Buddha statues and is decorated with intricate murals and frescoes. In total, the temple houses over 150 Buddha statues and statues of Sri Lankan kings, Hindu gods, and guardian deities.

So we’re climbing another hill for today’s Sri Lankan Monday Walk, and it’s a steep one, with about 364 steps (accounts differ slightly). After my efforts yesterday at Ritigala I wasn’t sure I was in the mood for another climb. But something told me it would be worth it, and it was!

Dambulla was established in the 1st century BCE by King Valagamba. He had taken refuge in these caves after being exiled from his throne in Anuradhapura, by Indian invaders. After fourteen years in hiding here, he reclaimed his kingdom and capital. He built a temple within the caves as an act of gratitude. Other kings who followed him added to the complex and by the 11th century the caves had become a major Buddhist centre. In the 12th century King Nissanka Malla gilded the caves and added about 70 Buddha statues. And during the 18th century, the caves were restored and painted by the Kingdom of Kandy, adding detailed murals and more Buddha statues. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).