Sri Lanka is home to plenty of temples to explore, each with their own history, cultural significance and quirks. In my opinion though, none are as iconic as the Dambulla Cave Temples in the north of the island. They are perched atop a 160 metre cliff and capture over two millennia of Buddhist heritage in the country. It is a must-see when in Sri Lanka, but there were some things I wish I had known before I visited. If you are visiting the Dambulla Cave Temples soon, this quick guide is for you. Enjoy.
Planning Your Visit to the Dambulla Caves
Getting There
Visiting the Dambulla Cave Temples is really straight-forward. If you are staying in the Habarana or Sigiriya area, multiple hotels will run short tours here throughout the day. From Habarana, the journey is along the main road and takes around 20 minutes or so. There is only a little car park at the caves so I’d suggest joining a tour group / taking a shuttle here.
Best Time to Visit
A lot of people don’t realise that the Dambulla Caves are on top of a massive cliff and that the only way up is a long staircase. The views that you get on the climb up are breathtaking – almost as good as Sigiriya – but I was definitely unprepared for the hike. With this in mind, arrive here as early as possible. The climb up has very little shelter and Sri Lanka gets hot really quickly. The Temples open at 07:00 each day and many private guides will take you at this time.
Costs
To enter the Dambulla Cave Temples, foreign visitors can expect to pay 2,000 LKR (the equivalent of around £5.00. The shoe drop-off service also had a very small fee at the end (around 100 LKR each).
Clothing and Shoes
If you are visiting the Dambulla Cave Temples then you need to dress appropriately and the rules are the same as any Buddhist Temple. Men should wear trousers and have their shoulders covered, and women should either wear a dress or trousers too with their shoulders covered.
Visitors must also take off their shoes before entering and leave them at the drop-off service. This is where I would suggest bringing some socks. The rock up to the caves is usually pretty hot, but the green carpet that visitors take to enter is scorching! Take a pair with you, especially if you are entering later.
A Glimpse into History
The origins of the Dambulla Cave Temples trace back to the 1st century BCE when King Valagamba of Anuradhapura sought refuge in these caves during a 14-year exile. Upon reclaiming his throne, he transformed the caves into a magnificent temple complex as an expression of gratitude. Over the centuries, successive monarchs enhanced the site, adorning it with intricate murals and statues, culminating in a rich tapestry of art and devotion.
How Long do I Need?
The site is actually quite small and it won’t take more than 90 minutes or so to explore, plus about 20 minutes for the climb up.
What to See
The Dambulla Cave Temples consist of 5 separate caves, each one separately added over the Temples 2,000 year history.
Cave 1
This is the first cave you will probably visit and is a great appetiser for some of the later, larger caves. Known as Devaraja Lena, this cave is the oldest of the complex and houses a giant 14 metre reclining Buddha. What I didn’t fully appreciate is that it – and the accompanying cushion – is carved directly into the rock!
Cave 2
Maharaja Viharaya, or Cave 2, is probably the most iconic and impressive cave in the complex. There are 56 individual Buddha statues here which are accompanied by gorgeous paintings on the walls and ceilings. In the cave there is also a natural spring which continuously drips sacred water through the ceiling into a collection vessel, even in droughts!
Cave 3
Maha Akut Viharaya is the more recent addition to Cave 2 and is separated by only a masonry wall. There are again around 50 Buddha statues here and more artwork, but it also houses another stunning reclining Buddha.
Caves 4 and 5
The final two caves of Pachima Viharaya and Devana Alut Viharaya are the two smaller caves, with the latter being an incredibly recent addition. Whilst not as impressive as the others, these two do have their quirks and are still worth seeing. For instance, Cave 5 also has a reclining Buddha, but this one is actually made of plaster and brick rather than being carved into the cave.
Final Thoughts | Visiting the Dambulla Cave Temples
Visiting the Dambulla Cave Temples was a highlight of our two weeks in Sri Lanka. The artwork and the beauty of the caves is simply astounding and I don’t think I’ll ever go to somewhere quite like it again. If you are looking for rich history, culture and some of the best views around, then visiting the Dambulla Cave Temples is exactly what you are looking for.
