The 2000 years old Buddhist temple is worth adding to your travel diaries for many reasons. Its located in far off the land, yet a promising experience to amaze your journey to make in the paradise island Sri Lanka.
The Golden Rock Temple is formed based on a rock overhang. The incredible efforts that have been taken for over centuries by the royalties, monks and devotees back and present are extremely mesmerizing, which made the complex as one of the best preserved antiquities in the country and so in the region.
History of Dambulla Cave Temple
The Dambulla Golden Temple which is also known as Dambulla Cave Temple and Rangiri Cave Temple is originally found as a vast inhabited rock mass, which has earned timeless recognition and immense administration for the last 22 centuries.
So as the history of the stunning image complex runs back to the first century, which is believed to have been constructed during the reign of King Valagamba. the chronological records claim the cave monastery has been habited from the 3rd century BCE.
The complex has been converted into a pilgrimage site by King Valagamba. The cave-dwelling monks lived by then helped the king to hide from the Tamil invaders and protected him for over a decade about 12 years.
Once the political status of the monarchy was settled the grateful kind returned and initiated a fascinating temple to offer his royal patronage to encourage the continued norms and practices centered in the small retreat to a massive one.
Through the centuries the cave monastery has been transformed into enormous developments and renovation, while the historical accounts also indicate that the major kings of Nissankamalla and Senaratna have also contributed to the sites with various value additions.
About 70 buddhist statues were built in the years of the year of 1190 CE, while in 18th century the cave is painted. The column and the walls are added most recently about in 1938. And you can still see some ancient inceptions are made in Brahmi letters which are further describing about some historical significance added to the scene.
The temple is revered all across the world today as an iconic emblem of the preservation related to Buddhist practices, and for the remarkable cultural and historical values and highlighted preserved and presented by the temple, the mesmeric Goden Temple has named as a UNNESCO heritage site in the year of 1991.
Architecture of Dambulla Cave Temple
Despite the historical, cultural, and religious values of the Dambulla Cave temple presents, the temple boasts of its incredible amount of architectural and interior significance which has added an enormous value to the cave monastery. It reflects an art gallery consisting of an indoor studio, of beautiful well preserved stunning images and murals.
The entire facade of the edifice has filled with artistic shades and patterns which is a fine showcase of ancient art and craftsmanship of the country. Homing to a plethora of the series of beautifully designed Buddha statues and more than 1500 paintings, the Dambulla cave temple is a great representation of the traditional interior values in the paradise island of Sri Lanka.
The Golden Temple is producing a series of five cave shrines, and the significant architectural and interior recognition of the temple processes, make the complex top listed as one of the largest, oldest, most well-preserved, and most outstanding temples not only in Sri Lanka but in in the Southern and South Eastern Asian region as well.
The artworks that are positively highlighted in the temple complex are more influenced by Buddhism and related associations, hence the majority of the paintings depict the incredible incidents in Buddha’s life, sermons, deities, innovative patterns and many more.
Significance of Dambulla Cave Temple
The Dambulla cave complex is sharing noteworthy significance in several aspects. The site promises to amaze you with its unique setting that keeps attracting local and international tourists and so as pilgrims, those who keep visiting the temple from all around the world.
For the remarkable historic, cultural, artistic, spiritual, religious, and touristic significance produced by the Golden Temple, the value has been worldwide acknowledged by UNESCO which has titled the cave monastery as its top listed heritages in Sri Lanka.
Compared to many other cave monasteries that you will encounter right across the globe, Dambulla Cave Temple is not found as one of those formed natural cave monasteries as the cave has originally initiated by the months were habited the temple back than by their own carvings. Hence, the way that they first carved a cave out by hand is very much inspiring.
The conservation project to transform the small Buddhist retreat into a recognized one has been inaugurated by the great King Valagamba and later few of the other kings marked their names in continuous development, refurbishments, and renovations in order to convert the temple into an impressive one, that going forward prove the fact that the site is also related to the ancient royal practices and civilizations.
Visiting Dambulla Cave Temple
The temple is located in the central plains of the country which is about 3 hour’s drive away from the Colombo international airport and the commercial capital Colombo. Dambulla Golden Temple is also easily accessible from the destinations of Sigiriya and Kandy, and from Sigiriya, it will just take 20 minutes to arrive here.
If you are traveling all the way from Colombo international airport or the commercial capital Colombo, the best recommendation is to make your trip by a private taxi as public transfers available seem not so convenient of the less comfortable they offer and also the disappointing fact is you will not get any direct transfers when you are traveling by bus or the train.
If you are traveling by train, you have to proceed to Habarana, a city located an hour’s proximity to Dambulla, from where you have to get down and get to a bus or a tuk to arrive at Dambulla. And if you travel by bus it will take more than three hours to make the trip.
Things to See and Do at Dambulla Cave Temple
Dambulla Golden Temple is all about the timeless beauty of over 2000 years of history, culture, and art. The exceptional craftsmanship that presents in each and every nook and space in the temple is quite fascinating. The distinctive architectural and interior features that are developed on the site are happy to present you with a series of about 150 stunning statues inclusive of the Lord Buddha, kings, and deities along with murals.
Apart from the discovery of culture, history, and art, Dambulla Cave temple is one of the best places to spot sunrise and sunset moments. And a great place to enjoy the local practices related to Buddhism.
Tips for Visiting Dambulla Cave Temple
If you are scheduled to visit Sigiriya and Kandy in your itinerary, adding Dambulla Cave Temple also to the list will offer you a better experience. You do not need to make an exclusive overnight stay in Dambulla, as it is accessible from both Sigiriya and Kandy. From the two destinations, Sigiriya is more accessible to Dambulla Golden Temple which is just a 20 to 30-minute drive away.
The best to visit the cave temple is en route to Kandy from Sigiriya. It will save you time, space, day, and mood. The temple is open for visitors from morning 6.00 am to 7.00 pm. The place is often found crowded by tourists and Buddhist devotees for its recognition, and therefore you may not find the peace and tranquility that most Buddhist retreat offers. Hence, the temple is best to visit in the morning and evening hours whereas you may find the temple is a bit deserted comparatively.
As anywhere else in Buddhist temples, you will not be welcomed by the revealing clothes that are not covering shoulders, and knee levels. therefore you are required to wear modest attire. If you are not prepared,make sure to cover up yourself before the entry. Also, hats, shoes have to be taken off at the entrance.
You may take sufficient water with you, as the temple is accessible with a climb of about 300 steps, which is about 10 meters in height and there won’t be any vendors available at the temple complex. You may also take a snack with you, but try to avoid feeding the monkeys that you will find around as it might not be safe.
Entrance Fee
Dambulla Golden Cave temple is about 2000 in local currency whereas it would be around 6 USD per adult, and the kids might not be charged depending on the age group. The tickets can be purchased at the counters of the temple complex which it open from 7.00 am to 5.00 pm.
The charge is taken for the maintenance, and the facilities provided by the temple.
Being one of the key attractions of Sri Lanka that will fill your heart with so much of distinctive memories in discovering the pulse of a great nation, Dambulla cave temple is surely a great place to add to your plans.
Editorial Staff at Ceylon Empire Travels are Specialist in Sri Lanka Travel.
