Dambulla Royal Cave Temple and Golden Temple
About This Museum
Perched high on a vast granite outcrop overlooking the plains of central Sri Lanka, the Dambulla Royal Cave Temple feels both ancient and alive. You don't just walk into a building here; you enter a series of five sacred caves, sheltered by a massive overhanging rock, that have been a place of pilgrimage for over two millennia. Inside, the air is cool and dim, your eyes adjusting to reveal walls and ceilings entirely covered in intricate, vibrant murals depicting the life of the Buddha. The space is dominated by countless statues, including a colossal 14-meter reclining Buddha carved from the living rock, silently commanding reverence.
Collection Highlights
The true marvels are the cave interiors: Cave Two, the Maharaja Vihara, is a breathtaking gallery packed with dozens of Buddha statues and a stunningly detailed painted ceiling. Don't miss the serene, monumental reclining Buddha in the first cave and the beautifully preserved 18th-century Kandyan-era murals that seem to tell stories from every surface.
Visitor Information
Remember to dress respectfully—shoulders and knees must be covered—and you'll need to remove your shoes before entering the sacred cave complex. The climb up is a series of steps but absolutely worth it for the views alone; try to visit early morning to avoid the midday heat.
Architecture & Building
This isn't a constructed temple but a magnificent feat of adaptation, where natural caves have been enhanced with drip lines and masonry walls to create shrine rooms. The result is an organic sanctuary where art and devotion are seamlessly woven into the very fabric of the rock.
Contact & Location
Address: Dambulla, Matale District, Central Province, 21000, Sri Lanka
Phone: +94 662 283 605
