Dambulla Cave Temple

The Dambulla Cave Temple is a complex of five caves under a vast overhanging rock, filled with more than 150 Buddha statues and painted from floor to ceiling with murals. Monks have used these caves since at least the 1st century BC, when — according to tradition — King Valagamba took refuge here during an invasion and later turned the caves into a temple in gratitude. Successive kings added statues and paintings, and most of the murals you see today date from the 18th century. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and still an active place of worship.

What you'll see

• Cave 1 (Devaraja Lena) — dominated by a 14-metre reclining Buddha carved from the rock.
• Cave 2 (Maharaja Lena) — the largest and most impressive, with dozens of statues and a ceiling covered in murals depicting the Buddha's life and Sri Lankan history. A pot catches water that drips from the ceiling, considered sacred.
• Caves 3–5 — smaller caves with more statues and later paintings.
• The Golden Temple at the base of the hill, with its large gold Buddha, is a modern addition and separate from the historic caves.

Visiting tips

• The climb from the road takes about 15–20 minutes up stone steps and rock slabs. Go early in the morning or late afternoon; the rock gets very hot.
• Buy your ticket at the office at the bottom (near the Golden Temple), not at the top.
• Dress code: shoulders and knees covered. You will leave your shoes at a counter at the top — socks help on hot rock.
• Don't pose with your back to the Buddha images, and keep your voice low inside the caves.
• Monkeys at the top will grab food and loose bags.

Getting there

Dambulla is on the main crossroads of the Cultural Triangle: about 25 minutes from Sigiriya, 2 hours from Kandy and about 3.5–4 hours from Colombo. Most travellers visit on the way between Kandy and Sigiriya, or as a half-day trip from a Sigiriya base.