Dambulla, a town in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, has been known to mankind since the 7th century BC. Various prehistoric sites have been found at Dambulla. Once upon a time, it was a region under the rule of the Cholas. If you are planning to visit Dambulla, here are 6 Things to do in Dambulla.
Dambulla represents various religions of South-Asia. Though dominated by the Sinhalese community, there are many other communities, too. Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and Tamilian communities from India and Sri Lanka reside here. Ancient caves, paintings, and sculptures sing an ode to the early life of Dambulla.
To help you have a comfortable trip, see this travel checklist to cover the most exciting places. Spend around a day or two in Dambulla to make the most of your travel.
1. Visit Sigiriya
Sometimes the iconic places are enough to speak for themselves. You will feel the same when you visit Sigiriya. This one is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Lion Rock, as it is commonly referred to, rises up from an ancient rock fortress.
The rise of Lion Rock among the plains adds a delightful view. What makes the rock look amazing is its green surroundings. The frescoes of Sigiriya take you back to ancient times. While you visit the Lion Rock, you will come across these frescoes. Pay close attention to its minute details.
Visiting hours are from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The total ticket cost is $30. If you only want to visit the Lion Rock Museum, then you need to buy a ticket for $5.
2. Dambulla Cave Temple
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka is Dambulla Cave Temple. Though the temple complex dates back to the 1st century BC, its true structure was decorated in 1938. It is a vihiraya, or Buddhist vihara. Various images of Buddha and other gods can be seen inside the cave.
You will come across depictions of Boddhisattvas, too. There are 5 different caves belonging to the great kings. A shrine room takes you through Sinhala art and culture. The ceiling of this room covers a painting of Buddha. Life-sized statues of Lord Buddha are worth watching.
The Dambulla Cave Temple is open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. You will have to climb up around 200 steps to reach the cave temple complex. A ticket to the cave temple costs LKR 1500. You need not buy tickets for children under 5 years of age.
3. Pidurangala Rock
Want to see the best view of Sri Lanka? Plan a visit to Pidurangala Rock. Please note that Pidurangala Rock and Lion Rock are two different places. You need to hike for around 50 minutes to climb the Pidurangala Rock peak.
To visit here, you will have to take a bus ride from Dambulla to Sigiraya. Then, from Sigiraya, you can take a tuk-tuk ride. Visiting hours are from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. You need to pay LKR 500 for the ticket.
Once you climb Pidurangala Rock, you will get to witness the mesmerizing look of Lion Rock, surrounded by lush green trees. The best time to visit here is for the sunrise or sunset. Noon time may be challenging due to the intense heat during the summer.
4. Golden Temple of Dambulla
Asian countries are spiritually involved. Sri Lanka and its spirituality are world-known. To experience spirituality at its best, come to the Golden Temple of Dambulla. It is locally called the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.
With a modern touch, it embraces ancient spiritual practices in the form of Buddhism. A golden statue of Buddha is breath-taking. The exterior design of the temple is golden in color and shines bright.
You can cover this temple during your visit to Dambulla Cave Temple. The entry fee is included in the cave temple, and the timing is also the same. You can sit here and meditate for some time. You can release the chaotic energy and get into the peace here.
5. Minneriya National Park
Coming to Sri Lanka means coming amidst nature. Minneriya National Park hosts the yearly “Gathering”. This is one of its kind that you cannot miss. This gathering belongs only to the elephants. The safari at Minneriya National Park takes you through the amazing exotic plants and trees.
You will spot rare animal species here. Deer, elephants, and leopards are easy to spot. Elephant gatherings take place in August and September. So, plan your trip for this moment. The national park offers various safari options, like full day and half day trips. You can check out all the details on their official website.
6. Dambulla Dedicated Economic Centre
This one is a great market at Dambulla. To purchase fresh spices, take a walk here. Here, you will find Sri Lankan cuisines that you can try out. Asian fruits, vegetables, and other items are a great find here.
The Economic Center opens at 5:00 a.m. and closes at 10:00 p.m. This one is more like a wholesale market. But it is also a great place to explore the economic life of Dambulla. If you are in search of some rare fruits, you may find one here. Most fruits and vegetables are distributed from here to every city and corner in Sri Lanka.
Conclusion
Sri Lanka makes it to the list of top travel destinations in the world. The combination of religious and spiritual ideas makes it a worthy country to explore life in. If you want to dive into the spiritual path, Sri Lanka is a good destination to begin with.
A blend of cultures over the centuries shows you diverse perspectives on humanity. Dambulla in Sri Lanka is a great place to balance the calm in life. The sites here are very peaceful, and natural beauty adds more to it.
If you are seeking a relaxing holiday, add Dambulla to your Sri Lanka tour. So far, we have covered a lot of travel destinations in Sri Lanka through our website. It will help you decide where you should head next. Dive into the beauty of Sri Lanka at Dambulla.
Editorial Staff at Ceylon Empire Travels are Specialist in Sri Lanka Travel.
