Cave temple Sri Lanka. Golden Temple of Dambulla. Dambulla cave temple complex

The small town of Dambulla has become a place of pilgrimage not only for Sri Lankans who come to ask for heaven’s support, fulfillment of desires, signs from above, but also for tourists who flock here to admire the temple complex with more than 22 centuries of history. You should have seen how breathlessly the locals pronounce: “DamBulle”! You immediately feel the importance and sacredness of this “prayed” place.

I have been here several times - both with a guide and on my own - and each time I discovered something new in this unity of nature, art and the divine. Even those who are not too familiar or close to the philosophy of Buddhism can learn a lot of interesting and educational things here.

The temple complex includes the Golden Temple, five main cave temples and more than 70 caves. All the key rulers of the island made their contribution to the design of cave temples at different periods in the history of Ceylon. Here you can get acquainted with the art of sculpture and painting by Sri Lankan masters from different times. Without exaggeration, we can say that this is a centuries-old cross-section of religion, culture and art of Ceylon.

To make a visit to the temples of Dambulla a more interesting event than just a walk through the grottoes among the statues, you definitely need to prepare a little in order to understand where we are going, what we are looking at, what the main idea is. This will enhance the impression of what you see and penetrate deeper into the spirit and atmosphere of the place. The right attitude and a little knowledge will help you succeed in this mission. More than once I caught myself feeling that everything in this functioning monastery helps to achieve harmony with the inner world, get rid of stress, and, moreover, allows you to simply enjoy the beauty.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site occupies more than 20 hectares on top of a mountain approximately 350 meters above sea level. Climbing up from the entrance to the complex to the cave temples, you can endlessly admire the picturesque pictures of the tropical forest that open up. The ascent itself will take no more than 10 minutes.

Story

The first to populate this area were the tribes that lived in Sri Lanka even before the advent of Buddhism. This is evidenced by burials found in some caves that are more than 2,700 years old.

In ancient times, the capital of the island was in the city of Anuradhapura. King Valagambaha, expelled from his capital by the enemy, found refuge and protection of local monks in one of the caves. After 14 years of exile, returning to the throne, as gratitude, the king ordered the creation of a temple in this cave. This is how the creation of the temple complex in Dambulla began in the 1st century BC. Pay attention to the inscription above the entrance to the temple: it describes this historical fact in the language of the Brahmins. Since then, the temples of Dambulla have become places of worship for all Buddhists.

The temple complex in Dambulla was rebuilt many times because each ruler wanted to contribute to the development of this sacred place for Buddhists. Here are the most significant changes:

In the 12th century, under the leadership of King Nissankamalla, 73 Buddha statues were covered in gold in the temples, after which the temple began to be called the Golden Cave Temple.
In the 18th century, significant changes were made to the architecture of the temple complex itself, as well as to the wall paintings. A whole galaxy of famous Sri Lankan artists did this. To this day, their descendants are engaged in the maintenance and restoration of paintings in temples based on secret family recipes for dyes.
In the 20th century, cave temples located inside the rock were protected from the wind by an arched colonnade and pediments.

Opening hours

The ticket office and the Museum of Buddhism with its treasury are open from 7:30 to 18:00. To buy a ticket, you need to go to the right of the building with a huge statue of the golden Buddha, which is located directly next to the roadway. There is a break in the opening hours of the cash desks - from 12:30 to 13:00.

What is the price

The cost of visiting the Dambulla temple complex for tourists is $10 (Rs. 1,500). Prices may vary depending on the dollar exchange rate.

Since Dambulla's temples are active, you are required to remove your shoes before entering. Directly at the top, in front of the cave temples and ticket control, there is a shoe storage point. The cost of the service is $0.17 (25 rupees), but you can leave your shoes near the temple for free, but no one is responsible for their safety. No one needs ordinary flip flops, but if you have expensive shoes, it is better to put them in a storage room.

What to see

Despite the fact that the temple is called Golden, here you will not find luxury similar to that in. A distinctive feature of the Dambulla temple complex is a huge collection of statues of Buddha in various poses, dating back more than 2,000 years, as well as paintings telling about his birth, epiphany, renunciation, reading sermons and other stages of his life. Of all the ancient religious buildings in Sri Lanka, the Golden Temple of Dambulla is the best preserved.

The Dambulla temple complex consists of several objects. The first of them - the Golden Temple - meets pilgrims and travelers under the mountain, not far from the road, parking lot and bus stop. But! This is a modern building that is indirectly related to the purpose of our trip. The Museum of Buddhism and administrative offices are located here. When purchasing a ticket to the Dambulla Temple Complex, you can also view the museum's exhibition. These are mainly gifts that were presented to the temple at different times, information about the main leaders of the monastery, their photographs, as well as, of course, statues of Buddha and paintings from his life.

And yet, it is here, on the right, that the ticket office is located. If you go straight up to the cave temples, you will have to go back down to get a ticket.

Further up the steps we head to the cave temples of Dambulla - these are five main caves that are open to the public. There are many other caves and grottoes here, but they do not have any particular cultural significance, since no paintings, statues, or other valuables have been preserved in them. Having passed the control, we go out to the site, where a snow-white colonnade opens before us, located under a steep cliff. It is behind it that the above-mentioned five cave temples are located:

Devarajalena
Maharajalena
Maha Aluth Viharaya
Paccima Viharaya
Dewana Aluth Viharaya

First of all, everyone who enters the first of the caves of the temple - Devaraja Vihara - sees a huge statue of a reclining Buddha, which takes up almost all the space in the temple. Pilgrims and tourists have to crowd here to see all the details of the situation.

Believers also come here to pray, ministers bring food as an offering to Buddha, candles, lamps and incense are constantly lit here. Because of these rituals, the walls of the cave are very smoky, and the paintings are barely visible. However, if you wish, you can view several episodes of his life on the left side of the Buddha. It can be noted that, in addition to the statue of Buddha, there are figures of his disciple Ananda, as well as a small statue of the god Vishnu at the head of the Buddha. Several more modest Buddha statues are located in the corners of the cave. Despite the 22-century history of the cave temple, and this particular cave was created first by King Valagambaha, all the statues have been preserved in good condition. It’s an amazing feeling when you touch something so ancient!

From the crowd of the oldest cave we move to the no less ancient, but most spacious one - Maharaja Vihara. This is the royal cave of Dambulla. At the entrance we are greeted by a wooden statue of the already well-known king Valagambakhi. In total, there are about 40 statues of Buddha in meditation and 10 standing statues in the cave. Only in this temple of Dambulla can you see a miracle of nature - the water that accumulates and runs along the walls among the patterns does not obey the law of gravity: amazingly, it runs upward, where it drips into a golden bowl, around which there are statues of Buddha in deep meditation! The cave is also of great interest to scientists studying the history of religion. This is the only temple on the island where statues of Buddha and more ancient deities that were worshiped by people in the era before the birth of Buddhism are located together.

In a small cave in the Golden Temple of Dambulla, Paccima Viharaya, there is a stupa that was previously used as a safe to store the jewelry of the abbot's wife. However, recently the stupa was looted. This is the most modest cave compared to the others.

The cave, decorated by masters of the 18th century during the reign of the last king of Kandy, Maha Alut Viharaya, amazes with the huge number of Buddha images - about a thousand. They all look at you from above, seeming both similar and different from each other. The cave also contains a large number of Buddha statues - 42 standing and 13 sitting in the lotus position. In the center of the bed there is a sleeping Buddha measuring about 9 meters. All this multitude of Buddhas creates a feeling of surrealism, some kind of parallel reality, a whirlpool of thoughts and views.

The last cave on our route, Devana Alut Viharaya, is the youngest. Previously, there was a warehouse here, but in 1915, craftsmen restored the cave, returning its sacred meaning. This is the brightest and most colorful cave, because only 100 years have passed since its design. There are 11 statues of Buddha, as well as statues of the deities Vishnu, Kataragama, Devata Bandara. Having learned the names of the deities here, I discovered for myself the mystery of the names of a number of cities in Sri Lanka, for example, Kataragama and Bandarawela.

What to see nearby

Dambulla Museum. In addition to religious objects from the Dambulla cave temples, there are copies of rock art samples from all over Sri Lanka, which have historical and cultural value for both Buddhists and all humanity. The museum is located 100 meters along the highway to the south. Opening hours: from 7.30 to 16.30. The cost of visiting is 1.7 dollars (250 rupees).

Ancient Somawathi Stupa (Dambulla Somawathi Stupa). A completely free attraction, which is located at the foot of the hill on which the Dambulla Temples are located. Usually tourists do not come here, so peace and quiet reign here. To get to the stupa, you need to go down the western slope of the hill (the location is marked on the map).
Dambulla fruit market. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the local wholesale fruit market. Here, mangoes, passion fruits, pineapples, bananas, jackfruits, papaya and many other wonders of nature are transported, packaged, packaged and transferred in huge quantities. It is unlikely that you will be able to buy anything here, since the sale is carried out in bulk, but it is interesting to look at the process and scale of trade.
Confectionery. The city of Dambulla is famous for its confectionery products, which are presented in a wide range in local cafeterias and pastry shops. In the area and beyond there are factories that produce a variety of delicacies made from honey, cane sugar, spices and nuts - different and not very similar to what we usually eat. But the biscuits here are even more amazing - very natural, they reminded me of the taste of childhood. Tourists often stop by Bentota Bake House, a clean place with food at reasonable prices.

How to get there

Dambulla is located at the intersection of the island's main highways, so its temple complex can be a good stop on any trip to Sri Lanka.

From Colombo

Personal car. To get to the Dambulla Cave Temples from Colombo, you need to follow the A1 Colombo - Kandy highway to the city of Warakapola, after which switch to the A6 Ambepussa - Trincomalle highway, which will lead directly to the city . To get to the temple, you must already in the city turn onto the A9 Kandy-Jaffna highway, and after 2 km (4-5 minutes) the Golden Temple will appear on the right side. In total, the 160 km journey takes about 4 hours.
Bus. From Colombo Central Bus Station you can travel to Dambulla by buses heading towards Trincomalee, Jaffna and Anuradhapura. Choose bus numbers starting with 15 . Before boarding, check whether the bus goes through Dambulla. Travel time – 5 hours. You can also take a bus to Kandy, and then get there from there using the indicated methods.

From Kandy

Personal car. 75 kilometers north along the A9 Kandy-Jaffna highway will take you directly to the temples of Dambulla. They will be located on the left side of the road. Travel time is about two hours.
Bus. This is the cheapest way to get to Dambulla Temple Complex. The fare is 0.5 dollars (70 rupees). Choose any bus heading towards Dambulla, Trincomalee, Jaffna, Anuradhapura, Habarana.
Knock Knock. You can go to Dambula from Kandy by tuk-tuk, but this is expensive. About two hours of travel with a breeze will cost from 20 dollars (3,000 rupees) and more.

From Galle, Matara, Hikkaduwa, Weligama

Getting from the southwestern and southern resort towns of Sri Lanka to Dambulla is much more difficult, but also possible. On such trips, it is better to plan to visit several attractions. And there really is something to see in Sri Lanka. The fastest way to get to the central provinces of the island, in our case to Dambulla, is to go through Colombo. Since the road network in the eastern part of the island is not very developed, and in addition, the path goes through the mountains, it takes much longer to get through the east. And there is more transport in the western part of Sri Lanka.

Personal car. Along the E01 expressway, which turns into E02, you need to move towards Colombo, where you switch to the A1 highway, and then to the A6 and A9 (for more details, see the section “How to get there... from Colombo”). Highways E01 and E02 are tolled: about 4 dollars (600 rupees). Approximate travel time to Colombo is 1 hour.
Bus. Another best option is to take an express bus to Maharagama, a suburb of Colombo. Cost – 3.5 dollars (500 rupees). Travel time is 90 minutes. Then take bus number 138 to Colombo Central Bus Station - 20-30 minutes. Cost: $0.25 (Rs. 30). Then take the bus according to "How to get there... from Colombo".

From Trincomalee

Personal car. Dambulla can be reached along the A6 Ambepussa - Trincomalee highway, and once in the city itself, turn left along the A9 Kandy - Jaffna highway and after 2 kilometers (4-5 minutes) you will see the Golden Temple on the right side Dambulla. The journey to the temple complex takes just under two hours (distance – 100 km).
Bus. Any bus towards Colombo, Kandy, Kurunegala will take you to Dambulla bus stop. Don't forget to notify the conductor or driver that you need the DamUlla Golden Temple stop. Consider the time – a little over two hours.

There is no railway connection with Dambulla. You can take the train to Habarana or Kandy, and then take a tuk-tuk or bus to Dambulla. The trip will be relatively cheap, but you will waste time. In addition, you will need to pay for a tuk-tuk or bus from the train station to the temple.

Note to tourists

In rainy weather, the steps leading up the mountain to the cave temples can be slippery: be careful! Although overall the climb is comfortable.
Try not to take pictures with your back to Buddha. In existing temples in Sri Lanka this would be considered a great disrespect. Better to shoot half-turned.
Be careful with the local monkeys, they are very unceremonious - they snatch everything out of your hands, especially food.

Please note that at the exit from the Dambulla temples, enterprising Sri Lankans may ask for $0.35 (50 rupees) for parking. Don't pay, just leave.
A trip to the Golden Temple of Dambulla can be successfully combined with a visit.

Dambula Cave Temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, located in the central part of the island, 148 km east of Colombo and 72 km north of Kandy, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. This still functioning monastery attracts many pilgrims from different countries.

This is the largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. It rises 160 m above the surrounding plain. There are more than 80 caves in the surrounding area, but 5 of them, which contain statues and paintings, attract tourists the most. These paintings and sculptures are related to Buddha and his life.

The prehistoric population of the island lived in these caves even before the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. This is evidenced by burials with human skeletons that are more than 2,700 years old.

The cave temple dates back to the 1st century BC. It consists of five caves under a huge overhanging rock, with drip lines cut out to keep the interior dry. In 1938, the complex was decorated with arched colonnades and pediments. Inside the cave, the ceilings are painted with intricate patterns of religious imagery following the contours of the rock. There are images of Buddha and Bodhisattvas, as well as various gods and goddesses.

The Dambula Cave Monastery is still functioning and remains the best preserved ancient building in Sri Lanka.

The Golden Cave Temple of Dambulla is one of the main attractions and Buddhist shrines of Sri Lanka. Inside the five caves you will find 153 Buddha statues (many of them are more than 2000 years old), 3 statues of the kings of Sri Lanka, 4 statues of gods and goddesses, and wall paintings with a total area of more than 2 thousand m2. This article will help you enjoy visiting the temple in Dambulla, find the most interesting statues and elements of the temple, and understand who or what is depicted in front of you.

From this article you will learn:

1 | Why you should visit the Golden Cave Temple of Dambulla

understand the meanings of the various poses and gestures of the Buddha,
get acquainted with ancient Sri Lankan rock paintings,
find out what the ancient kings of Sri Lanka looked like,
study the history of Buddha and Sri Lanka from rock paintings,
enjoy beautiful views of the valley surrounding the temple (in clear weather you can see Sigiriya, which is located 17 km from Dambulla).

If you are just planning a trip to Sri Lanka, I recommend that you read the instructions for applying for a visa online and filling out the Sri Lanka arrival card.

2 | History of Dambulla Cave Temple

In the distant 1st century BC, the ancient king of Sri Lanka, Valagamba, was dethroned and expelled from Anuradhapura by invaders from South India. He took refuge in Dambulla and later, after 14 years of winning back his throne, the king thanked the monks who gave him shelter. The king invested in the construction of a cave temple, transforming the modest monastery into an impressive Buddhist shrine and a place of pilgrimage for many thousands of Buddhists.

Richly decorated Buddha statues in meditation pose in Cave No. 2

In subsequent years, other kings of Sri Lanka helped develop the cave temple, renovating and decorating it. In the 12th century, 73 Buddha statues were covered with gold - since then the temple began to be called the Golden Cave Temple. The memory of the most generous kings was immortalized in the form of statues, wall paintings and even in the form of a stone book.

3 | What is important to remember about Dambulla Temple

Temple opening hours: from 7:00 to 18:00.

GPS coordinates of the temple(to find the temple on the map, copy the coordinates from the search bar in Google maps): 7.856712, 80.648132.

Other interesting places and best hotels in Dambulla -.

Entrance fees: 1500 rupees (~$10). Tickets must be purchased below, at the ticket office near the giant golden Buddha statue (GPS coordinates 7.855653, 80.651555).

Ticket offices for the cave temple are located to the right of the golden Buddha statue

The Golden Cave Temple of Dambulla is not a museum or a tourist attraction, it is an active temple and a place of pilgrimage for many Buddhists. Therefore, do not expect to see signs and signatures under statues and images, a clean and quiet museum, buffets or kiosks with drinks and sandwiches.

4 | How to dress and what to take to the temple

You must dress in accordance with the rules of the existing Buddhist temple:

clothing should cover shoulders and knees and not be transparent;
hats should be removed (this applies to both men and women, and even children);
You can only walk around the temple barefoot (I highly recommend taking socks with you so that you don’t have to walk in small steps on the hot stone).

Shoes can be left at a special kiosk in front of the entrance to the temple territory (the service is paid - 25 rupees for one pair of shoes).

Dambulla is a sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhists in Sri Lanka

The cave temple is located on a mountain and on the way to the temple you will have to overcome many steps. Therefore, it is worth taking a bottle of drinking water with you. At the bottom of the stairs there are usually vendors selling water, but don't expect to see them there early in the morning. Beware of monkeys who like to take food from tourists, and intrusive traders trying to sell various trinkets.

Cute (and treacherous) monkey near Dambulla Temple

Bored (meaning well-fed) beauty

5 | What is the Dambulla Cave Temple:

Dambulla Cave Temple is a complex of 5 caves carved into the rock. The three caves are ancient and were carved into the rock in the 1st century BC. e. (they are more than 2000 years old), two more are not older than the 18th century.

In front of the caves there is a courtyard with a sacred bothhi tree (under the same tree Buddha achieved enlightenment). In the right corner, almost immediately near the entrance to the temple grounds, there is a large stone book, where the deeds of King Nissaka Malla, one of the benefactors of the temple in the 12th century AD, are recorded in ancient Sinhala. (it was thanks to him that the temple began to be called “Golden”).

Dambulla Cave Temple - 5 caves carved into the rock

In order to enjoy visiting the Golden Cave Temple of Dambulla, you should realize that in front of you historical and cultural landmark, not just caves with lots of Buddha statues. From the paintings on the walls of the caves you can get acquainted with the history of Sri Lanka and the life of Buddha (of course, if you know where to look). For those who want to get positive emotions and interesting information when visiting an attraction, I can offer 4 options:

book an excursion with a Russian-speaking guide, who will tell and show you everything, explain everything and answer questions (for example, includes travel in a comfortable minibus, the services of a Russian-speaking guide for a group of up to 8 people),
take an English-speaking guide, who can be found at the entrance to the cave temple (of course, if your level of English allows you to understand the guide),
read this article to the end and save (or write down) what exactly you should pay attention to when visiting caves,
Replace your visit to the Dambulla temple with a trip to Sigiriya.

Next, I will describe each cave, moving from right to left (from the entrance, into the depths of the temple). I will deliberately not show all the statues and paintings in the photo, but I will give clear instructions so that you can find them - adding a little exploratory flavor to your visit to the Dambulla Cave Temple.

Cave 1: Deva Raja Viharaya - Temple of the King of the Gods

A tiny cave with 14 meter high articles of a reclining Buddha, which is carved out of the rock, depicts the entrance to Nirvana (death) of the Buddha. At the feet of the Buddha stands one of the most faithful disciples named Ananda. The walls of the cave are covered with drawings and a layer of soot from incense and oil lamps.

14-meter statue of a reclining Buddha in cave No. 1

Near the entrance to the first cave there is a small chapel dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. If you are lucky, you will see pilgrims with offerings, priests performing traditional rituals, and the ritual of breaking a coconut (if the coconut breaks, the plan will come true).

Cave 2: Maha Raja Viharaya - Temple of the Great King

This is the largest cave in the Golden Temple of Dambulla. Dimensions of the cave: 52 meters wide, 23 meters deep and 7 meters high (at the highest point). On the right side of the cave there is a bowl into which sacred water constantly drips from the ceiling. Even in severe drought, the water source does not dry up. The collected water is used for Buddhist rituals.

The largest cave in the Golden Cave Temple of Dambulla

The cave contains 16 standing Buddha statues and 40 Buddhas in a meditation pose (sitting with both hands folded in front of them). You will find the following statues:

God Maitreya is the patron saint of Kandy, the cultural capital of Sri Lanka.

Wooden statue of King Valagamba, the same one from which the centuries-old history of the Dambulla cave temple began. His right hand is raised in a gesture of teaching and he stands near the exit of the cave. Pay attention to how the kings of Sri Lanka dressed in the 1st century BC.
The most impressive statue in this cave is stone carved statue of standing Buddha under the arch with the ancient mythical animals Makara (Indian analogy of the dragon). The Buddha holds the robe with his left hand, and his right hand is depicted in a gesture of protection. If you look closely, you can see the remains of gilding under the layer of paint. The statue is located on the left side of the cave, opposite the exit.
To the left of the standing Buddha statue from the previous point is God Maitreya with a lotus in his left hand is the patron saint of Kandy, the cultural capital of Sri Lanka.
To the right of Buddha stands Bothisattva Nata statue- one of the patrons of Sri Lanka,
Behind the back of Bothisattva Nata there are two more notable statues:
- blue - god Vishnu(in Sri Lanka it is most often called Upulvan),
- golden - god Saman(guardian of the Buddha's imprint at the top of Adam's Peak).
On the left side of the cave there is a stupa with 11 statues of a seated Buddha in a meditation pose. Find the statue with the snake - this is snake king muchalinda, which covered the Buddha from the rain when he achieved nirvana during meditation near the Bothi tree.

The ceiling of cave No. 1 is painted with stories from the life of Buddha

Cave 3: Maha Alut Viharaya - Great New Temple

This temple is one of the youngest - created in the 18th century AD. one of the last kings of Kandy (Kirti Sri Raja Singh). There are 56 Buddha statues here. The ceiling of the cave depicts more than a thousand Buddhas in a meditation pose (the frescoes are painted in Kandy style). Pay attention to 3 statues:

King Kirti Sri Raja Singha (whom you will recognize by the crown on his head) and his 18th century royal outfit,
The 9-meter statue of a reclining Buddha - the sculptor managed to miraculously convey an expression of bliss and peace in granite,
a seated Buddha in a meditation pose in the center of the cave is surrounded by an arch with mythical animals - sea dragons.

The 9-meter Buddha statue in cave No. 3 is carved from granite

Cave 4: Passima (or pascima) Viharaya - Eastern Temple

The temple in this cave was created in the first century BC. The small stupa in the center of the cave was partially destroyed by treasure hunters who hoped to find inside it the jewels of the queen and wife of King Walagamba, the founder of the Dambulla temple.

Pay attention to the statue of a seated Buddha surrounded by sea dragons - it is considered one of the most beautiful statues in the complex (considering that it is over 2000 years old):

Buddha in meditation pose under an arch of sea dragons

Cave 5: Dewana Aluth Viharaya - Newest Temple

This is the newest of all the temples and was rebuilt from a warehouse in the 18th century AD. There are paintings on the walls from the time of the Kandy kingdom and traces of unprofessional restoration in the 1920s (it seems that the restorers were children). In the temple you will find 11 Buddha statues. Unlike other caves, where the statues are made of stone or wood, the fifth cave uses brick and plaster. Note the wall painting at the feet of the reclining 10-meter Buddha, which depicts the king of Kandy (with crown and sword), the god Vishnu (with dark skin) and the god Kataragama (many-faced and many-armed).

Buddha statues in cave No. 5

That's it, we're done with the caves. It's time to go down from the temple mountain. But don't rush. Immediately after leaving the temple premises, behind the kiosk for storing shoes, there is a platform from which a beautiful view of the surrounding area opens.

6 | What else can you see near Dambulla?

the famous rock fortress of Sigiriya,
the cultural capital of Sri Lanka, the city of Kandy,
Mineria National Park,
historical landmark - the ancient city of Polonnaruwa.

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Cave Temple is at an altitude of 350 meters and consists of five caves of different sizes with paintings and statues that tell the story of the life of Buddha and date back to the 1st century BC. The cave temple is under the protection of UNESCO. To get to the temple, you need to climb the stone steps that start from the giant 30-meter statue of a seated Buddha. The caves were first inhabited in the 7th century BC. e. It is best to start from the last cave number 5, and move towards the entrance. This makes the caves more colorful and impressive. The maximum height of the caves is up to 10 meters, and are filled with ancient sculptures and works of art. The caves contain more than 150 statues of Buddha, 3 statues of Sri Lankan kings, 2 statues of Hindu Gods, a statue of God Vishnu and a statue of God Ganesha. Mind-blowing frescoes cover an area of 2100 square meters. meters. Images on the walls of the caves include the temptations of the demon Mara, and the first sermon of the Buddha. The earliest paintings are in cave no. 2.

It is traditionally believed that the caves were created by King Valagambahu in the 1st century BC. Having been expelled by them, he hid from the South Indian usurpers for 14 years. After the king returned the capital to himself, he built a temple here as a sign of gratitude. His followers made their contributions to the improvement of the temple and by the 11th century the caves became the main religious center, a status they still retain. King Nissanka Malla gilded the caves in 1190 and added 70 Buddha statues. In the 18th century, the caves were restored and painted by the kings of Kandy.

Although the frescoes have been restored several times over the centuries, the age of the cave is amazing. It is an amazing feeling of connecting with centuries when you are in a dark mountain temple, on the site where the victory of the Sinhalese king was celebrated, more than 2200 years ago.

Dress: long trousers or skirts, a shirt that covers the shoulders and stomach.

Entry price: 1,200 rupees.

Working hours: Every day from 07:30 to 19:00.

Attention: Be careful and attentive when carrying flowers to the temple, as monkeys may attack.

Caves of the Golden Temple

No. 1, Dev Raja Viharaya - Cave of the Divine King (Dev Raja Viharaya - Cave of the Divine King)

Cave No. 1 is located at the entrance to the temple, and received its name in honor of the King of the Gods. This image depicts Nirvana or the demise of the Buddha. Above the entrance to the cave there is an inscription about the foundation of the temple in the 1st century after the Nativity of Christ.

The statue is a typical sculpture about 15 meters in length. The face of the statue is dull and not very artistically executed. The clothing covers the body down to the ankle, leaving the right shoulder and chest bare. The body is proportional, except for the stiffness of the legs. The entire figure is attached to the stone wall along the back. The cave also has five other images. In the southern part of the cave, at the feet of the Buddha sits his beloved disciple Arhat Ananda. On the north side is God Vishnu. This cave has countless paintings on the walls and ceiling.

No. 2, Maha Raja Viharaya - Cave of the Great Kings (Maha Raja Viharaya - Cave of the Great King)

Cave No. 2 is the largest and most impressive in the complex. The entrance to the Great King's Cave is located at the entrance to the first cave. According to the inscription at the entrance to the cave, it was named after the kings who were responsible for the construction of the temple. The high arch is guarded on both sides by Makara figures carved in stone. The size of the cave is 22 meters long, 23 meters wide and 6 meters high. The paintings and sculptures in this cave are well preserved. This cave contains 53 images. Many of the statues are well proportioned but larger than life size.

On the right side of the main entrance there is a stupa 5 meters high, and a circular pedestal is decorated with Buddha statues. Each statue sits on a cobra's hood. Other figures are placed in a row along the wall, creating a gallery. Only one statue of a reclining Buddha is located near the outer wall. In the middle of the cave there is a small source of water. The water in the spring is considered sacred and is used for rituals. The entire surface of the cave walls is a mosaic of brightly colored paintings from the life of Buddha, before and after the Enlightenment. The main themes of these paintings: Buddha leaves the throne to participate in a tournament of weapons; Buddha shows his skill in archery; Buddha sets out on a journey in search of truth; Monsters from the Mara (Devil) army attack Buddha; Victory of Buddha over Mara.

In the eastern part of the cave there is a small niche formed by huge rocks. At the entrance to the niche there is a statue of King Nissankamalla, one of the patrons of the temple. The walls of the niche are covered with frescoes, many of which depict important events in the history of the island. They relate the narration of the exploits of Vijaya, the first historical ruler of the country, who came from India, with a retinue of followers.

At the very northern end of the cave there are two statues carved from wood: the Hindu God Vishnu (God Vishnu) and the God Saman (God Maha Sumana). God Saman is considered the keeper of sacred footprints at the top of Adam's Peak.

There are also frescoes depicting King Devanampiyatissa (250-210 BC), during whose reign Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka. The remaining frescoes show Arhat Mahinda, who first brought the Buddha's message to the island and established the order of the monks. Among the most artistically successful murals: an illustration of the single combat between King Dutthagamini, the greatest Sinhala hero, and Electra, who ruled the northern part of the country for 44 years. The film depicts the exciting and decisive moment when Electra, wounded by a spear, falls to the ground, defeated by King Dutthagamini. In this painting the proportions are more balanced than in other paintings.

No. 3, Maha Alut Viharaya - Great New Temple (Maha Alut Vihara - Great New Temple)

This cave is separated by a wall from Cave No. 2. It is said that this cave was used as a warehouse until the 18th century. The dimensions of the cave are 27 meters long, 24 meters wide, and 10 meters high. Due to its size, the cave is the second largest cave in the temple. The cave's extensive walls are decorated with richly colored murals from the traditional Kandy period of art. The murals depict events from Buddhist history and the life of Buddha. The main entrance to the cave has a door. This cave was converted into the chamber of King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe, who ruled the country until the British occupation in 1815.

There are only 50 Buddha images in this cave. One statue that is considered special is the figure of a reclining Buddha, his head resting on a pillow, supported by his right arm. The figure is about 9 meters long, and very well built. The face is beautiful, and has an expression of wonderful peace and mercy. Considering that the base of the figure is made of solid granite, this is a very serious achievement, both in artistic and technical aspects. There are also 7 statues each, about 3 meters in height, others are life-size or slightly lower.

No. 4, Pascima Viharaya - Western Temple (Pascima Viharaya - Western Temple)

The dimensions of the cave are 15 meters long, 6 meters wide and 8 meters high, so it is considered a small temple cave. This cave has 10 Buddha figures, all of the same size and proportions. One of the Buddha statues sits in the Dhyana Mudra pose in the dragon arch. Facial features, lips, eyes and nose are clearly and subtly defined, earlobes are pierced, hair is seen as rows of dots. Using the groove technique, the sculptor cleverly showed loose and flowing folds of clothing that span the body from shoulders to feet, leaving the right shoulder and neck bare. This statue was carved during the Kandy period of art and is therefore guarded with special care. In the middle of the cave is a small Somawathi Stupa, made in honor of the king and his wife. This stupa was once broken into because thieves hoped to find jewelry under the stupa. The stupa is surrounded by several Buddha statues.

No. 5, Devana Alut Viharaya - Second New Temple (Devana Alut Vihara - Second New Temple)

This cave is the smallest of all the temple caves, its width is 7 meters and its length is 12 meters. This cave is made of natural stone, with a roof and four walls. There are eleven statues in the cave, one of which is a reclining Buddha statue. This statue occupies a more prominent place in the cave than all the others and shows a high degree of craftsmanship.

The main attraction of Dambulla is the Golden Temple. Sri Lanka is full of shrines and temples, but this place stands out from the crowd. In the unique cave temple, you can see centuries-old statues of Buddha and Vishnu. Many tourists who have visited different cities around the world agree that the local atmosphere is unique. It helps you get rid of stress, come into harmony with your inner world and love life even more. Let's get to know this temple better!

general characteristics

The Dambulla Golden Temple is considered one of the most famous Buddhist temples in the world. It occupies 20 hectares of land and is located almost in the middle of the island of Sri Lanka. Dambulla (temple) is built on the mountain of the same name, a little over 350 meters high. 12 kilometers from the temple there is an equally famous archaeological monument of Sri Lanka - the Sigiriya rock plateau. The lowlands of Mount Dambulla are a tropical forest with picturesque landscapes. Once there, you can spend hours admiring the natural beauty. The forest further enhances the impression of visiting the temple.

The rock monastery, or as it is also called, the cave temple complex, has been a sacred place for pilgrims from all over the world professing Buddhism, at least for about the 21st century. Dambulla (temple) is a sanctuary that includes 5 large and more than 70 small caves, which are connected by corridors of various sizes and configurations. But the temple gained world fame not for the number of caves, but for the largest collection of Buddha statues created by local craftsmen. Here you can find lying, standing and sitting Buddhas of different heights. The largest statues exceed 15 meters in height. The Golden Temple also houses statues of the three kings who once led Sri Lanka, as well as the gods and goddesses revered by ancient people. Some of these statues are still highly revered by Buddhists to this day.

After examining historical documents found in this place, scientists found that the first caves of the Dambulla Temple were founded in the first century BC. It all started with the fact that King Valagambaha, after being expelled from Anuradhapara, settled in a rock cave and lived there for a little over 14 years. Having regained his throne, he erected the first cave temple in history and donated it to the Buddhist order. Thus, the monarch thanked the monks who helped him survive during particularly difficult periods of his life. This historical fact can be seen at the entrance to the Dambulla Cave Temple.

After the Golden Temple was gifted to the monks, Buddhist pilgrims began to consider it a holy place. Archaeologists studying the temple discovered that the man-made complex was repeatedly restored and updated. Measures to restore it were taken under almost every ruler of Sri Lanka. In the twelfth century, when King Nissankamalla ruled the country, 73 Buddha statues were covered with pure gold. It was from then on that the cave temple complex began to be called golden.

In the eighteenth century, the Dambulla Temple (Sri Lanka), the photo of which well illustrates its age, received significant changes that affected both the architecture of the complex and the wall paintings. According to historians, around the beginning of the eighteenth century, a whole dynasty of professional artists lived in the area adjacent to the temple. They had a hand in painting the complex. The area of Buddhist rock paintings and frescoes is 2300 m2. They depict almost the entire life of the Buddha: birth, insight, seven weeks after insight, renunciation of wealth and reading sermons. This gallery of rock paintings is unique of its kind. It has enormous cultural and historical significance not only for Buddhists, but for all humanity.

As you already understood, Dambulla (temple) has five large caves. Each of them has its own name and features, and we will dwell on each of them in more detail.

Devarajalena

Once in the first of the five caves, the tourist can see a 14-meter reclining Buddha statue. The disciple Ananad sits at her feet, and the god Vishnu himself sits at her head. Adjacent to the entrance to Devarajalen's cave is a chapel built in honor of the god Vishnu. To this day, various rituals are often performed there. In addition to the described sculptures that can be found at the entrance to the cave, there are four more Buddha statues located in different parts of the cave. According to archaeologists, all these sculptures were created in the first century BC, during the reign of King Walagambakh.

The sculptures have survived to this day quite well, which cannot be said about the frescoes and rock paintings. They are difficult to see due to the thick layer of soot on the walls and ceiling. As the guides say, the soot is formed due to the constant fumigation of the cave with incense and the burning of lamps.

Maharajalena

This is the next cave that a traveler usually enters after Devarajalena. Here travelers are “met” by the statue of that same king Valagambakh. His hand is raised up, as if he is teaching someone about life. This statue is the largest in the entire man-made complex of Dambulla. It, like the statues of Devarajalen Cave, dates back to the first century BC. It is surprising that here, right next to the Buddha sculpture, there are statues of Upulvana and Samana, Maitreya and Nata. Thanks to this, the Golden Temple of Dambulla has become the only place in all of Sri Lanka where you can find statues of gods standing nearby. In total, there are more than a dozen standing Buddha statues in Maharajalen and about forty in meditation. Not all of them are made of granite. Some are made of wood and even brick.

Another distinctive feature of Maharajalena is the source of water, which can only be described as a miracle. The fact is that water flows from it along the walls, among all kinds of patterns, not down, but up. Having reached the highest point, she simply falls into the golden bowl. Around the bowl you can see multiple sculptures of Buddha in meditation.

Paccima Vaharaya

Among the five large caves, this one can be called relatively small. In the center of the Pachchima Vaharaya cave is a stupa. According to legend, treasures belonging to the wife of the founder of the temples were kept in it. The guides say that quite recently this stupa was plundered by treasure hunters, but today nothing is known about the location of the sacred accessories.

Maha Aluth Viharaya

This cave is considered relatively young. Its construction dates back to the thirteenth century AD. At that time, the state was dominated by the last representative of the rulers of Kandy. Like other caves, Maha Alut Viharaya is filled with a large number of Buddha sculptures, in different positions. The ceiling of the cave surprises with a variety of Buddha images. According to official documents, the ceiling is decorated with more than 1,000 paintings of the meditating Buddha.

Dewana Aluth Viharaya

This cave is considered the youngest of the big five. Until the beginning of the twentieth century there was a warehouse here. It is not known exactly when it was built. However, there is information on the walls that restoration work was carried out here in 1915. In addition to 11 sculptures of Buddha, there are numerous sculptures of the god Vishnu in all sorts of poses.

Golden Buddha statue

The Dambulla Temple (Sri Lanka), the description of which we have reviewed, is associated by many with a huge statue of a seated Buddha, which can be found at the foot of Mount Dambulla. Its height is 30 meters. This is a modern statue that currently has no value other than aesthetic value. The building on which this statue is located houses a museum of Buddhism. From this picturesque place the ascent to the temple begins. A stone staircase leads upstairs.

Dambulla Temple today

Hundreds of thousands of travelers from all over the world come to Dambulla Temple (Sri Lanka) every year. Since UNESCO included it in the World Heritage List, it, like many other architectural and historical monuments, is under close supervision.

To enter the Golden Temple, you must purchase an entrance ticket. It costs $15 for adults and $10 for children. Upon entering the cave complex, visitors are asked to remove their shoes. Immediately after the visit, you can pick it up for 25 rupees. This fee is charged for guarding the shoes. Those who do not want to pay for this service simply leave their shoes aside, unattended. In this case, no one is responsible for its safety. Visitors who have paid the entrance fee are given two hours to get a good look at the Dambulla Temple (Sri Lanka). Visiting hours: 7.30-18.00.

Since the cave temple is located on a rock, you need to climb to it. The climb is simple, but many may find it lengthy. Visiting the attraction is only allowed in closed clothing, that is, shorts and short skirts are prohibited here. Luggage, unlike shoes, can be left at the police post completely free of charge.

It is interesting to note that monkeys can be found roaming freely throughout the temple grounds. They are used to large numbers of people, so they are not afraid of them at all. When the sun begins to hide behind the horizon, hundreds of swallows fly here. After spending the night on the territory of a Buddhist shrine, they leave it at dawn.

Road to Dambulla

Getting to the city from neighboring cities is not difficult at all. There are three ways:

Bus. The bus stop is located one and a half kilometers from the cave temple, near the clock tower. Buses run here from all major cities of the island state. The road from Kandy, Polonnaruwa or Anuradhapura to Dambulla takes 2 hours and costs 50 rupees. You can get from Sigiriya to Dambula in 40 minutes and 20 rupees. From the capital of Sri Lanka - the town of Colombo, going to Dambula takes longer and is more expensive. The journey will take about 4 hours and 150-200 rupees.
Train. This method is less popular among tourists, since the railway station is located 23 kilometers from Dambulla. Trains run here from Colombo, Batticaloa and Trincomalee. You can get to the city from the station by bus or tuk-tuk.
Automobile. It is best to travel around Sri Lanka by rented car or by car with a driver-guide. Of course, such a train will cost more, but complete freedom of action is worth it.

Conclusion

Dambulla (temple) is an amazing place, once in which you can forget about all worldly thoughts. The summer heat here quickly gives way to cave coolness, which really invites you to explore the frescoes, paintings and statues. The Golden Temple of Dambulla is a unique place, a treasury of Buddhism, when visiting it, absolutely every person, and even those who are completely far from religious prejudices, receive pleasure and complete peace.