Dambulla cave temple, Buddhist cave temple in Matale District, Sri Lanka.
The temple complex contains five caves featuring numerous Buddha statues, paintings, and frescoes spread across 2,100 square meters of decorated walls.
King Valagamba established the temple in the first century BCE after seeking refuge in these caves during his exile from Anuradhapura.
The cave monastery holds 157 statues and extensive ceiling paintings that depict important scenes from Buddha's life and Sri Lankan Buddhist traditions.
Visitors must remove shoes before entering the caves and wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees according to Buddhist temple customs.
The largest cave contains a 14-meter-long reclining Buddha statue carved directly from the rock face, accompanied by detailed wall paintings.
Location: Matale District
GPS coordinates: 7.85656,80.64834
Latest update: May 28, 2025 18:36
Sri Lanka offers diverse photography sites from ancient fortresses to national parks. Sigiriya Rock displays stone architecture amid green landscapes. Buddhist temples house cultural artifacts, while colonial structures like Galle Fort stand along the coast. National parks contain elephants and leopards in their natural habitat. Mountains, waterfalls, and beaches provide natural settings. The country features religious monuments such as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth and Nallur Kandaswamy Temple. Gardens, tea plantations, and forest reserves showcase the local flora.
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