Dambulla Cave Temple
The Dambulla Cave Temple, also known as the Golden Rock Temple of Dambulla, Rangiri Dambulu Viharaya, or Dambulu Raja Maha Viharaya, is the most revered and frequently visited cave temple in Sri Lanka. It consists of five viharayas built into a massive rock that stands 1118 ft above sea level and is surrounded by the plains of Kurunegala on one side and the rock of Sigiriya and the mountain of Ritigala on the other. The caves are home to thousands of images of the Lord Buddha in sculptures and paintings, creating a veritable art gallery that celebrates nature's gift. The initial temple was built by King Valagamba in the first century BC, and succeeding kings added to its maintenance, repair, and prosperity.
The sloping rock leading towards the holy precinct heightens the sense of reverence and excitement, and there are four large caves and two smaller ones. Cave No. 1, the Davarajalena, includes a massive rock-cut figure of the Lord Buddha in his final passing away, attended at his...
The sloping rock leading towards the holy precinct heightens the sense of reverence and excitement, and there are four large caves and two smaller ones. Cave No. 1, the Davarajalena, includes a massive rock-cut figure of the Lord Buddha in his final passing away, attended at his...
