The Past

Before becoming a cave temple, Buddhist monks used this place for meditation purposes, as the surroundings were full of nature and protected by the cave. This is during the 1st century BC. At the end of the 2nd century BC (103 BC), Sri Lanka was ruled by Valagamba, also known as VATTAGAMANI ABHAYA, of the Anuradhapura kingdom. In 103 BC, an invading army from South India led by seven Tamil leaders attacked Anuradhapura and defeated King Valagamba. King Valagamba had no chance other than to run away from his kingdom and hide. King Valagamba used caves for hiding and planning his next step towards regaining power. Buddhist monks helped him a lot in order to organize a big army too. DAMBULLA Cave temple is one place he takes refuge.

In the 1st century BC (89 BC), King Valagamba regained his power after 14 years. He converted most of the caves into temples and gave them to monks in order to show his respect for Buddhist monks.

DAMBULLA Cave Temple was constructed during King Valagamba’s time, from 89 BC to 77 BC. Several caves were converted into shrine rooms. These caves are built at the base of a 150m-high rock. On the west side, approximately 75 caves were discovered that were not arranged as shrines. 80 caves can be found in the DAMBULLA cave temple. Today, only the main five shrine caves are open to the public. There are 153 Buddha statues with many various positions and symbols (Mudras) and three statues of kings (King Valagamba, King Nissankamalla, King Rajasinghe) and four statues of Gods and Goddesses. In addition, 22,000 square feet of paint were used to cover the entire canopy and walls of the shrines. Most of the paintings belong to the Kandiyan period of Sri Lanka, and some are before that period.

Around the 11th century, the DAMBULLA Cave Temple converted its name to "Swarnagiri Guha", or the Golden Cave. Today it’s identified as the Golden Temple too.

Around 35 inscriptions have been found regarding this cave temple.
According to order, five caves built as shrine rooms are as follows:

• Cave 01-DEVARAJA VIHARAYA
When you enter the temple, the first cave on the right hand side is 15m long "Seat of the Passed Away Buddha".

• MAHARAJA VIHARAYA CAVE 02
Arguably the most spectacular of the caves. From east to west, 52 meters, entrance door to back wall, 23 meters, and the highest point of the ceiling is 7 meters. Apart from the statues and paintings, the most significant item is the vessel inside the cave that collects water that consistently drips from the ceiling of the temple. It’s happened even during drought times also. 56 Buddha statues and 39 of them are sitting and others are standing.

• Cave 03: Maha Alut Viharaya
King Keerthi Sri Rajasingha in 1747 constructed this shrine. The cave contains 57 statues, 42 of which are standing statues and 14 of which are sitting statues. The King Keerthi Sri Rajasingha statue is also near the door.

• Cave 04: Pachima Viharaya
This is the very first shrine ever built. King Valagamba built it. 21 statues are included, with two being standing and 19 being the sitting type.

• Cave 05: Dewana Aluth Viharaya
This cave was used as a store house, but it’s called the second new temple. There is a 30 foot sleeping Buddha statue as well as 5 standing and 5 sitting statues.

Travel Advice

• Open hours will be 7.30am to 12.00pm and 1pm to 6pm.
• The best times to visit will be before 11am and after 3pm every day.
• There will be a special ceremony every day, and it is carried out three times a day. At 6am, 10.30am and 6pm in the evening. While it happens for 15 minutes, all the cave doors will close.
• You can take photos inside the cave, but flash photography is totally prohibited.
• You need to remove your shoes and flip-flops before entering the temple. So, good socks will be helpful to wear during the time inside the temple. But the stone floor is very