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Dambulla cave temple 60-by Cherubino-

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Dambulla Cave Temple

The Dambulla cave temple, commonly referred to as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, is a World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka and is located in the country’s central region.

The cave temple complex at Dambulla is the biggest and finest preserved in Sri Lanka. The rock soars 160 meters above the nearby plains.

In the neighborhood, there are more than 80 known caves. Five caves that hold statues and murals are home to the main attractions.

These sculptures and artworks depict Gautama Buddha and his life. Three Sri Lankan king statues, four god and goddess statues, and 153 Buddha statues make up the entire collection.

The latter group consists of Ganesha and Vishnu. 2,100 square meters of space is taken up by the murals (23,000 sq ft).

The seduction of the demon Mara and Buddha’s first lecture are both depicted on the cave walls. Here are some fascinating facts about Dambulla Cave Temple.

1. The temple is made up of a series of 5 caves

The exterior of Dambulla cave temple 16-by Cherubino-

The first century BCE is when this temple complex originally appeared. It contains five caves that are excavated with a drip line to keep the interiors dry under a sizable overhanging rock.

In 1938, gabled entrances and arched colonnades were added to the architecture. The ceilings of the caverns are decorated with elaborate religious motifs that follow the shapes of the rock.

Along with many gods and goddesses, there are pictures of the Lord Buddha, bodhisattvas, and other deities.

2. The caves have a combined history of more than two millennia and significant religious importance

LK-Dambulla-cave-temple-inside-08-by Balou46-

Devaraja Lena, which translates as “Cave of the Divine King” in Sinhala, is the name of the first cave. The Buddha statue, which stands 14 meters tall and was hewn out of rock, dominates this cave.

In the second and largest cave, there are 50 statues of King Nissanka Malla, who is credited with gilding 50 statues in the 12th century. Accordingly, this cave is referred to as Maharaja Lena, or “Cave of the Great Kings.”

King Kirti Sri Rajasinha (1747–1782), a renowned Buddhist revivalist, painted the ceiling and walls of the third cave, the Maha Alut Vihara, or “Great New Monastery,” in the traditional Kandy style.

There is a statue of the king in addition to the 50 Buddha statues. It consists of a group of five caves that have a combined history of more than two millennia and significant religious importance.

3. The caves started to be turned into shrines in the first century AD

Tradition holds that the caves were turned into a temple in the first century BC by Valagamba of Anuradhapura.

He spent 15 years seeking safety here from South Indian usurpers after being exiled from Anuradhapura. Later additions by numerous subsequent rulers made the caverns into the important religious center they are today by the 11th century.

In 1190, Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa placed roughly 70 Buddha images and gold leaves in the caverns. The Kingdom of Kandy renovated and painted the caves in the 18th century.

4. Dambulla is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka

The Dambulla cave monastery is Sri Lanka’s best-preserved ancient structure. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains.

This structure was already established as one of the biggest and most significant monasteries by the third and second centuries BC.

5. The second cave, also known as Maharaja Vihara, is the biggest and most impressive of the three

20160125 Sri Lanka 3841 Dambulla sRGB-by Dan Lundberg-

In the second and largest cave, there are 50 statues of King Nissanka Malla, who is credited with gilding 50 statues in the 12th century.

 This cave is known as Maharaja Lena, or “Cave of the Great Kings.”

The wooden representations of the Bodhisattvas Maitreya and Avalokiteshvara or Natha are accompanying the Buddha statue carved out of the rock on the left side of the room.

Additionally, there is a dagoba and a spring whose water, which is supposed to have medicinal properties, drops from a break in the ceiling.

The cave ceiling’s distinctive 18th-century tempera paintings represent incidents from Buddha’s life, such as the demon Mara’s temptation and Mahamaya’s dream.

Further images depict significant historical occurrences in the nation.

6. There are over 80 documented caves in the surrounding area

The exterior of Dambulla cave temple 02-by Cherubino-

In the neighborhood, there are more than 80 known caves. However, major attractions are spread over 5 caves, which contain statues and paintings.

These sculptures and artworks depict Gautama Buddha and his life. Three Sri Lankan king statues, four god and goddess statues, and 153 Buddha statues make up the entire collection.

7. Since 1991, the Dambulla Cave Temple has been a UNESCO World Heritage site

Since 1982, most of the Dambulla Temple Complex’s conservation efforts have been focused on preserving the integrity of the current complex, which hasn’t changed since the 1930s when the temple veranda was rebuilt.

This plan was decided upon during a 1982–1996 joint collaboration between UNESCO, Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle Project, and the Dambulla Temple Authorities.

More recent inspections by UNESCO in 2003 suggested expanding the area now designated as a protected zone around the complex.

8. How to get to Dambulla Cave Temple

The Kandy Rd/Kandy – Jaffna Hwy/A9 roads will take you to the cave temple in around a half-hour of walking from the center of Dambulla.

There is a bus service that travels to the center in about 4 minutes, and driving takes about the same amount of time using the same routes.

9. It’s a popular attraction

Dambulla cave temple 14-by Cherubino-

The Dambulla Cave Temple, which is part of the greatest cave temple group, has a variety of historical and religious artifacts dating back to the second century BC. The nearby plains are 160 meters below these towering cliffs.

Over five acres, the site contains over 80 known caves, 153 Buddha statues, four god sculptures, three Sri Lankan monarch statues, and 2100 square meters of murals, and paintings.

Its five underground caves, which are buried behind a massive hanging rock, will astound you. 

10. The Dambulla cave monastery is still functional

The Dambulla cave monastery is still in use today and is Sri Lanka’s best-preserved historic structure.

It can be reached by ascending the Dambulla Rock’s moderate slope, which offers a panoramic view of the flatlands around, including the rock castle Sigiriya.

In particular, the 157 statues and the 2,100 m2 of Buddhist mural murals are significant.