Dambulla cave temple
Overview
The Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temples are the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back to the 1st century BC, this sacred site is famous worldwide for its colossal Buddha statues, statues of kings and gods, and the stunning Buddhist murals that adorn the cave walls.
What can we do?
- Explore the Five Main Caves: See hundreds of statues and paintings in the 5 main caves (including the Devaraj Cave, the Maharaja Cave, and the Maha Aluth Viharaya) of various sizes and histories.
- Admire the Ceiling Paintings: Admire the ancient frescoes depicting the Buddha and Jataka stories, painted all over the cave ceiling and walls, following the shape of the natural rock.
- Enjoy the Panoramic View: Enjoy the beautiful view of the surrounding environment and the distant Sigiriya Rock from the top of the rock before entering the temple grounds.
- Visit the Golden Temple & Museum: Visit the huge golden Buddha statue, a modern construction located at the foot of the rock, and the Buddhist museum inside it.
Which session is best for travel?
The best time to visit Dambulla is from January to September, while the weather is generally dry.
Best Time of Day: It is highly recommended to come in the morning and well before 9:00 AM, or late in the afternoon, after 3:30 PM.
Why? Dambulla is in the dry zone, and the climb involves walking on open rock which gets extremely hot during midday.
How long to spend for a visit?
Duration: Plan to spend about 1.5 to 2 hours at the temple complex.
This allows enough time to climb the stairs (approx. 20-30 mins), explore all five caves leisurely, and admire the views from the top without rushing.
How can we arrive?
Dambulla is a major transportation hub in the Cultural Triangle.
By Bus: You can easily get a bus from Colombo (Route 48 or 15), Kandy (Route 41 or 42), or Anuradhapura. It takes about 4 hours from Colombo.
From Sigiriya: It is very close to Sigiriya (only about 30 minutes away). Many travelers visit Sigiriya in the morning and Dambulla in the evening (or vice versa) on the same day by tuk-tuk or bus.