Situated in the Matale Province of the Central Province, Dambulla is a vast isolated rock mass. One of the most prominent destinations to visit in Sri Lanka is rich in landscape and religious monuments. Sited in a giant rock more than 160 m in height and 1.5 km in circumference, it is also the home of Cave temples and shrines. As Dambulla lies in the junction of major cities in Sri Lanka, it is the center of vegetable distribution in the whole island nation. Known earlier as Dhamballai, this region is also a fundamental zone with ancient Sri Lankan civilization.
Dambulla is also one of the oldest civilization areas in Sri Lanka. The Ibbankatuwa Prehistoric Burial Site here proves that indigenous civilization was active here before the Indian influence in this Island Nation. It also has the largest rose quartz range in the whole of Southeast Asia. One of the distinctive forests here is the Iron Wood forest. Also called Cobra’s saffron these trees are famous for hard and heavy timber. Nu Uyyana Aryana one of the biggest forest monasteries in the world also lies in Dambulla. It is one large area with numerous must-visit sites, and you can enjoy them on your visit to Sri Lanka.
Rangiri Dambulla Viharaya or Dambulla Golden Rock Temple is a significant destination for Buddhist pilgrims throughout Sri Lanka. Famous for centuries-long cave temples, Sri Lanka has many of them. One of the most prominent and preserved temples among them is undoubtedly the Rangiri Dambulla Viharaya. The complex structure of the temples consists of many caves. There happen to be more than 80 caves around the place. Among these Caves, five vital caves are holding important sculptures and pictures of the temple. Most of these paintings relate to Lord Buddha and his life. Also, there are over 153 Buddha statues, four statues of other gods and goddesses, and the statues of the former kings in the Rangiri Dambulla Viharaya.
Major Attractions
Dambulla Cave Temple and Shrines
Dambulla Rock
The 5 Caves
Cave of the Divine King
Cave of the Great Kings
Great New Monastery
Buddha Statues
Sinhala sculpture, Sinhala Arts
Ibbankatuwa prehistoric burial site
Na Uyana Aranya Jungle Monastery
