Dambulla is a city in central Sri Lanka, famous for its World Heritage Site, the Cave Temple. Besides the temple, Dambulla is also close to Sigiriya, known as the "Lion Rock," making it a popular stop for many travelers.
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◦ Dambulla Cave Temple
The Cave Temple, listed as a World Heritage Site in 1991, is situated on a hill. To witness its spectacular cultural relics, you need to make some effort. From the ticket office, it takes about 15 minutes to climb the stairs, accompanied by monkeys eyeing your food along the way.
In the 1st century BCE, after King Valagamba was driven out by usurpers, he sought refuge here. When he regained his throne, he built the cave into a temple to express gratitude to those who had assisted him. The entire Cave Temple consists of five caves. Hidden beneath a long stretch of rock, these caves contain the world's largest and oldest murals.
The first cave is a temple housing a 15-meter-long reclining Buddha. The Buddha's feet, uniquely adorned with blooming lotus flowers, are quite special!
The second cave is the largest and best-preserved. All the Buddha statues here are carved from single pieces of rock. To commemorate their ancestors' struggle against Indian invaders, marked by their feet stained with red soil, the Buddha statues' feet are painted red.
Through successive kings' renovations and maintenance, the style of the Buddha statues in each cave has evolved, creating a timeline of Sri Lankan Buddhist art. The statues of the kings also reflect their devotion to Buddhism.
Cave Temple Opening Hours: 0700-1900 Ticket Prices: 2000 LKR (04/2024)
◦ Traveling from Dambulla to Sigiriya
Traveling from Dambulla to Sigiriya is quite convenient, taking about half an hour by tuk-tuk. After negotiating with a tuk-tuk driver, we agreed on a round-trip fare of 3000 LKR.
From the ticket office, you walk along a long pathway flanked by an advanced water system that connects the moat and the artificial lake, ensuring a constant water supply throughout the year.
In the 5th century AD, King Kasyapa built an aerial palace atop a massive rock, covering approximately 3 hectares. The king, who had seized the throne by killing his father, feared his brother's revenge. To protect himself, he moved the capital to this rock and built a palace there.
At the base of Sigiriya, there once stood a giant lion sculpture. Now, only the lion’s paws remain, sparking our imagination.
Although the climb involves over 2,400 steps, it is not too difficult. However, the hollow design made even me, who isn’t afraid of heights, break into a cold sweat.
Sri Lanka's Sigiriya combines the natural wonder of Australia's Ayers Rock with the exquisite craftsmanship of Cambodia's Angkor Wat. It is hailed as the eighth wonder of the ancient world, one of the highlights of Sri Lanka's "Cultural Triangle," and is a precious heritage site protected by UNESCO.
Sigiriya Opening Hours: 0630-1730 Ticket Prices: 36 USD (04/2024)
◦ The Video
◦ Restaurant: Gami Gedara
The restaurant has a modern appearance and offers a diverse menu, making it very popular with the locals. Here, I ordered a small portion of Pork Kottu, but the serving was enough for two people, making it a great value for the price. Kottu means "chopped bread" in Tamil. It is made by chopping up flatbread and stir-frying it with vegetables, eggs, cheese, and other ingredients. The savory and spicy flavors are incredibly enticing!
Opening Hours: 0800-2300 Location: 334 Kandy Rd, Dambulla
◦ Guesthouse: Sujatha Tourist Rest
Sujatha Tourist Rest is in an excellent location. It's just a 5-minute walk from the bus stop in Dambulla. This guesthouse is family-run, with a display case of trophies and photos in the living room, showing their pride in their family members. The rooms are clean, but the water pressure in the shower is a bit low, which is a minor downside.
Double room with air conditioning (for single occupancy) Sujatha Lodge, Anuradhapura road Price: 3,435 LKR per night (04/2024)
◦ How to Get to Dambulla
The main mode of transportation to and from Dambulla is by bus. It is recommended to use Google to search for "Dambulla Bus Stand" from your starting location, or ask locals for directions, and you will easily find a bus heading to Dambulla.