Dambulla is a city situated in the north of Matale District, in Sri Lanka’s Central Province. It is the second largest populated and urbanized Centre after Matale in the Matale District. It is situated 148 km north-east of Colombo. It’s a historic town renowned for its ancient cave temples and rich cultural heritage. It is approximately 148 kilometers northeast of Colombo and is easily accessible by road or rail. The centerpiece of Dambulla is the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Dambulla Cave Temple, also referred to as the Golden Temple of Dambulla. This complex consists of five caves carved into the rock face of a massive granite outcrop, each adorned with exquisite Buddhist murals and over 150 stunning statues of Buddha in various poses. It is Sri Lanka’s best-preserved Buddhist shrine within ancient caves.
In addition to its religious significance, Dambulla is surrounded by lush greenery and picturesque landscapes, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. It is located close to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic landmarks. Visitors to Dambulla often combine a visit to the cave temples with an excursion to Sigiriya, where they can climb the ancient rock fortress and marvel at its remarkable frescoes and panoramic views.
Nature enthusiasts are drawn to Dambulla’s picturesque hiking trails up the Arangala Mountain Peak and Jathika Namal Uyana Rose Quartz Mountain, which offer sweeping views, ponds, and Buddhist temple ruins. Overall, Dambulla is a treasure trove of historical Buddhist and megalithic monuments, mountains with thick tropical forests and lakes, naturally formed sky-high rocks, and centuries-old temples.
The Dambulla Cave Temple, also called the Golden Temple of Dambulla, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the best-preserved and most extensive cave temple complex in the country, comprising five main caves, each possessing numerous statues of Lord Buddha and some figures of kings and statues of Lord Vishnu.
The Dambulla temples can be reached only on foot by climbing the Dambulla Rock. The climb offers a panoramic view of the flatlands below, and even if it may get tough for some, the temples and the viewpoints are worth the effort. The Dambulla Rock also offers a brilliant view of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. The five rock caves of Dambulla have different names, and each of them holds a significance of its own, embodied in the paintings and sculptures inside the cave. Each of the caves was built at different periods of Sri Lanka’s history and will give one an insight into the evolving culture, and that is what makes it the most beautiful heritage site to visit. The Dambulla Cave Temple is a part of the ‘Cultural Triangle’ in Sri Lanka comprising the town of Sigiriya, Dambulla, and the city of Kandy.
Architecture: The Dambulla temples lie under a vast overhanging rock, about 150 meters in height, under which there are five main caves, each of different sizes, and each holding a significance. The interiors are painted depicting images with religious significance, mainly focusing on The Buddha and Buddhist scriptures. The rock has a drip line carved on to it to prevent the interiors from getting wet during rain. These caves were built by King Valagamba, by adding walled partitions under the overhang. Out of the five caves, the first one is called ‘Devarajalena Vihara’ – Lord of the Gods temple. It is known for the Sleeping Buddha Statue that is 45 feet in length. The second cave is called ‘Maharajalena Vihara’ – Temple of the Great Kings. As the name suggests, this cave is dedicated to the kings Valagamba, and Nissankamalla. The third cave is called ‘Maha Alut Viharya’ – The Great New Temple’. It was constructed later with many more Buddha statues. The fourth and fifth cave also have some beautiful statues of Buddha.
History: This series of caves were constructed by King Valagamba when he came back to power after he was dethroned. It was built as a gesture to honour his hiding place since he used to visit and hide in these caves often after he lost power. After him, King Nissankamalla was responsible for the restoration of these caves and temples. He believed that many Buddhist monks dwelled in the caves and restored the temples in their honour. Now, the statues of these two kings can be found in these caves. Many archaeologists have found numerous human bones and skeletons, as evidence that prehistoric humans frequented the caves.
Sigiriya, Sinhagiri or lion rock is an ancient rock fortress located in Matale district. It is a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock approximately 180 meters (590 ft) high. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and consists of a citadel and has ruins of palaces, the Lion Gate, gardens, moats, the Mirror Wall, and many beautiful frescoes (paintings made in wet plaster on walls). King Kashyapa (477 – 495 AD) built his palace on top of this rock and decorated its sides with colorful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. The Lion Rock fortress of Sigiriya has been recently announced as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World by Bloomberg magazine.
The place got its name from the Lion claws, carved at the entrance of the Lion Gate. You can reach the Sigiriya Fortress either by bus or by train, from the main towns of Dambulla or Habarana. The Sigiriya Rock Fortress is derived from two words – ‘Simha’ meaning Lion, and ‘Giri’ meaning Mountain. The site consists of the beautifully planned fortress, ruined halls, a citadel, the Mirror Wall, and many ancient paintings on the walls called ‘Frescoes’.
Beautiful gardens and moats surround this fortress. King Kashyapa built it after he shifted his capital to Sigiriya. The entire climb takes about an hour and has the most ethereal-looking views of the land below. The climb is quite steep in some areas and is not recommended for the elderly. The site opens at 7:00 AM from Monday to Saturday and is easily accessible from nearby towns. The price is worth it, and you are sure to witness many breathtaking views.
History – The fortress is also referred to as the Lion’s Rock since it was designed to look like a lion stands tall amongst the jungle that surrounds it. Legends say that Sigiriya was called Alakamandava – the city of gods, built by the Hindu God of Wealth – Kubera. Kubera was known to rule Lanka before Ravana took over.
Historically speaking, archaeological evidence suggests that the caves in and around the fortress have been inhabited by humans right from the Mesolithic period. In 477 CE, King Kashyapa I was said to have shifted his kingdom’s capital to Sigiriya, where he built a sophisticated city and fortress to protect it from intruders. After he lost a battle, Sigiriya was made into a Buddhist monastery complex.
Architecture – The Sigiriya site consists of a citadel built by King Kashyapa and is divided into three parts. The upper part of the site, with the flat rock, has the ruins of the top portion of the palace. The middle section consists of the Lion Gate, the Mirror walls, and its Frescoes. The lower part has gardens and moats that protect the citadel. The site was planned in such a way that they combine natural and human-made resources using symmetry and asymmetry. It has water retaining structures, reservoirs, etc. all interlocked to form a complex system.
Sigiriya Museum is at the base of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress and was established in 2009. The exhibits at Sigiriya Museum are not limited to the artifacts; they include photographs depicting Sigiriya’s history, several informative videos, and models of the fortress. The highlight of the museum is the stunning and accurate recreation of the frescoes found at the fort.
The museum boasts an impressive collection of exhibits that belong to various periods in history – ranging from the prehistoric period to the reign of King Kashyapa when the Sigiriya Rock Fortress was constructed. Sigiriya Museum was built with funding from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency and was completed after four years. With more than five distinctive galleries, the museum offers fascinating and unique insights into the past for visitors. Sigiriya Museum has undoubtedly been a boon for visitors unable to climb the fortress but immensely interested in exploring this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Galleries At Sigiriya Museum
The tour of the museum begins with an informative video detailing the site’s history; it is available in English, Sinhala and Tamil. The entry to the first level of the museum is through a brick tunnel, akin to that of the rock fortress. The first floor has six major galleries depicting the prehistoric era to the Golden Age of Sigiriya, while the second floor consists of the recreation of the frescoes.
The Pidurangala Rock is a few kilometers away from the famous UNESCO site, the Sigiriya Rock. It is known for the view of Sigiriya Rock from the top of the rock, the white temple situated at the base of the cliff, and the enormous reclining Buddha statue located under an ancient boulder.
The Pidurangala Rock is also called the sister Rock of Sigiriya, as both the rocks are just a few kilometers away from each other. The Pidurangala Rock also has a white temple called the Pidurangala Vihara, where the monks live, and Buddha is worshipped. Midway through the hike, there is a huge reclining statue of Buddha under an ancient boulder. The Pidurangala Rock may be less popular among tourists compared to the Sigiriya Rock, but the hike to the topmost point and the view from up there make it no less magnificent than the UNESCO site. The Pidurangala Rock is well known for its breathtaking view of the sunrise.
There are a lot of factors that distinguish both sister rocks from one another, even if the same king—King Kashyapa—constructed them. The Sigiriya Rock has a fortress and was carved in the shape of a lion. It has ruins of palaces and is decorated with paintings, gardens, and so on. Pidurangala Rock, on the other hand, is a bit more adventurous. It has a temple at the base and a huge Buddha statue, and tourists must climb up for a scenic view of the land and the Sigiriya Rock. Keep in mind to carry or loan a sarong to cover your shoulders and legs for the temple.
History – The history of Pidurangala Rock dates to the 5th century AD, during the reign of King Kashyapa I of the Anuradhapura kingdom. A statue of a reclining Lord Buddha made of clay, brick and limestone, approximately 48 feet long, and the ruins of a cave temple complex on the rock belonging to the time of his reign can be observed today. One can also spot Brahmi inscriptions that have been carved into the rock. Local guides who are willing to provide an in-depth insight into this attraction’s history are often available at the site.
The Minneriya National Park is in the Northern province of Sri Lanka, four hours away from Colombo, and 30 minutes away from Sigiriya. The national park is famous for its herds of elephants migrating for food, water and shelter, and forming a ‘gathering’ that can be witnessed by visitors. The dry season is the best time to visit this place, as the majestic elephants migrate to the Minneriya Tank for water. Apart from elephants, the national park is also home to several mammals, birds, reptiles, and different kinds of plant species. Minneriya National Park comes under the dry zone, meaning it receives less rainfall compared to the other areas in the country.
The main attraction of this national park is the annual ‘Gathering’ of herds of elephants. During the dry season, these humongous creatures migrate from warmer to colder lands in search of water. This period is when visitors can book a safari and witness this grand event. Many species of birds and animals that are local to Sri Lanka are seen here. Remember to time your visit correctly, according to your desired attraction. You can book your stay at Sigiriya itself, so travelling to Minneriya gets easier. There are jeeps and guides available at the National Park, to help you roam around. Remember to wear comfortable clothes and keep the National Park clean.
Minneriya National Park first declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938. It was then designated as a National Park to conserve the flora and fauna that surrounded the Minneriya Tank. The Minneriya Tank is one of the most important historical elements of the national park. It was built by King Mahasena and derives water from the Amban River, and the Elahera Canal. Usually, during the dry season, animals migrate to Minneriya for water and food. Due to the various plant and animal species thriving in the national park, it has multiple habitats, ranging from wetlands to forests, to scrublands.
Kandalama Lake is located to the north of the Dambulla region. It can be reached by proceeding about 10 kms from the Kandalama Junction close to the Rangiri Dambulu Raja Maha Vihara.
On the Eastern bank of the Kandalama Wewa ancient irrigation reservoir at the distance of 10 km from the Rangiri-Dambulla Rock Cave Temple. The lake is surrounded by lush greenery and offers stunning views of the nearby hills, making it a popular spot for both locals and tourists. Visitors can enjoy various activities such as birdwatching, boating, and exploring the rich biodiversity of the area.
