Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
From the caves there are superb views over the surrounding countryside; Sigiriya is
clearly visible some 20km distant.
Dambulla is thought to have been a place of worship since 1st century BC, when King
Valagamba (also known as Vattagamani Abhaya), driven out of Anuradhapura, took refuge
here. When he regained his throne, he had the interior of the caves carved into magnificent
rock temples. Further paintings were made by later kings, including King Nissanka Malla,
who had the caves' interiors gilded, earning the place the name Ran Giri (Golden Rock).
This process of retouching original and creating new artwork continued into the 20th
century. Remarkably, the overall impact is breathtakingly coherent to the eye.
From the highway, Dambulla's entrance looks pretty grim - the Disneyesque concrete
Buddha, monstrous Golden Temple and vast car park are distinctly off-putting. But things
improve markedly as you climb the hillside, leaving the commercialism behind, and as-
cend a vast, sloping rock face that leads to the caves.
Cave I (Devaraja Viharaya)
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
The first cave, the Temple of the King of the Gods, has a 15m-long reclining Buddha. An-
anda, the Buddha's loyal disciple, and other seated Buddhas are depicted nearby. A statue
of Vishnu is held in a small shrine within the cave, but it's usually closed.
Cave II (Maharaja Viharaya)
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
The Temple of the Great King is arguably the most spectacular of the caves. It measures
52m from east to west and 23m from the entrance to the back wall; the highest point of the
ceiling is 7m. This cave is named after the two statues of kings it contains. There is a
painted wooden statue of Valagamba on the left as you enter, and another statue further in-
side of Nissanka Malla.
The cave's main Buddha statue, which appears to have once been covered in gold leaf,
is situated under a
makara torana
(archway decorated with dragons), with the right hand
raised in
abhaya mudra
(pose conveying protection). Hindu deities are also represented.
The vessel inside the cave collects water that constantly drips from the ceiling of the
temple - even during droughts - which is used for sacred rituals.
