Explore the World Heritage Site - Golden Temple of Dambulla
The Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, is a sacred pilgrimage site in Sri Lanka, declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. Situated around 150 kilometres east of Colombo, this cave monastery is also the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in the country that has attracted a lot of pilgrims and visitors each year. Dating from the 1st century BC, the rock and caves tower 160 m over the plains with more than 80 documented caves in the grounds, of the major attractions are five cave shrines of varying size and magnificence under a vast overhanging rock. Inside these caves, you’ll find 157 statues of the Lord Buddha, and several statues of Sri Lankan kings and Hindu gods. The murals covering an area of 2,100 square metres are also of particular importance with stories about the Buddha and his life. Visitors have to climb up many steps to the temple, yet the views from the top of the rock is as awe-inspiring as the temple caves.
