Located at the geographical heart of Sri Lanka, Dambulla serves as a significant Buddhist pilgrimage center. With a history spanning 2,000 years, it has earned the title of the “City of Remembrance.” The captivating Dambulla Cave Temple, built into a mountainside, consists of five main caves, each holding distinct religious significance and unique features that symbolize its purpose.
The Dambulla Cave Temple is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. It houses five sanctuaries, with walls and ceilings adorned by 2,100 square meters of murals, painted using natural resin and other organic materials. The site also contains hundreds of statues. Despite the passage of centuries, the paintings and sculptures remain remarkably vivid, making Dambulla a treasured UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The first cave is not very large. Directly opposite the entrance is a 14-meter-long reclining Buddha, which is actually a statue of Gautama Buddha in Nirvana. At the Buddha’s feet stands Ananda, one of his most devoted disciples. Above the Buddha’s head is a statue of Vishnu. According to legend, these caves were created through the divine powers of this important deity from Hinduism.
Over a thousand years later, in the 12th century, King Nissanka Malla, renowned for his significant contributions to Sri Lanka’s religious heritage, undertook a major renovation of the Dambulla Cave Temple. During his reign, many intricate murals and Buddha statues were added. In the following generations, more artworks were incorporated, gradually transforming what was once a king’s refuge into one of the most revered Buddhist pilgrimage sites.
There is no easy way to reach the Dambulla caves. Both pilgrims and tourists must ascend steep slopes and climb a series of stone steps to reach the summit, which rises 100 meters above the plains. At the top stands the Dambulla temple complex, containing five Buddhist caves. From there, visitors can enjoy a distant view of the rock fortress of Sigiriya. The stunning murals, the ancient and expansive caves, and the Dambulla temple—like the Sigiriya ruins—are recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Another highlight of the Cultural Triangle is its painting art. Many temples and palaces preserve extensive murals depicting Buddhist teachings and the life of the Buddha. The walls of entire caves are covered with awe-inspiring murals of various themes and styles. The paintings in the Dambulla caves represent different periods of Sinhalese Buddhist art, though classical Sinhalese painting is difficult to find here.
The so-called new style appears to have been influenced by the Deccan school from southern India, lacking the bold use of red and yellow that characterized early local art. Due to continuous modifications over the centuries, pinpointing the exact dates of these murals is impossible. However, some have been identified as the work of Kandyan artists from the 17th century.
In addition to the recurring images of seated Buddhas and geometric patterns in red, yellow, and black, the murals also feature intertwined vines, flowers, and stories about the Buddha, including his past and present lives as told in the Jataka tales. Some murals also depict war scenes and other major historical events in Sri Lanka’s history.
At the center of the main hall stands a statue of the Buddha, with a mural of the Buddha directly above it on the ceiling. It is said that the murals on the ceiling depict the life of the Buddha in chronological order. This area functions as the main shrine, where devotees can worship the statue, admire the sculptures and murals, and study the teachings of Buddhism.
Over the course of more than 2,000 years, the Dambulla Cave Temple evolved from a royal refuge into a Buddhist pilgrimage site. Throughout its history, the temple has undergone many improvements but has also faced numerous hardships. It has suffered attacks and invasions that caused significant damage to the caves, with many of them being looted. In addition to external threats, the caves experienced natural decay, leading to further deterioration. Fortunately, each time the caves were damaged, the ruling authorities of Sri Lanka restored them, recognizing the importance of this sacred Buddhist site.
However, during the colonial period, the damage was not repaired as it had been in the past. Under European rule, Buddhist structures were largely neglected. This neglect persisted into the 19th century, with many monks leaving the temple and Buddhism’s significance in the region declining. Despite these challenges, the temple was never fully abandoned. A few monks remained, doing their best to preserve what little was left amid the decay. In the 20th century, their calls for restoration were finally answered, and the Dambulla Cave Temple once again became a cherished destination for pilgrims and Buddhists.
In the northwest corner of the cave, alongside the statue of the Buddha, there are unexpectedly statues of Hindu deities. It turns out these figures represent Shiva and Vishnu, marking the earliest Hindu statues in Sri Lanka, dating back to the 12th century. This was a time when Hinduism began spreading across the island and influencing its art. From the stone elephant carvings at the base of the stupa in Anuradhapura to modern handicrafts, the motif of elephants appears everywhere. Murals in the Dambulla Cave Temple also feature elephants, capturing their gentle and endearing nature.
In the Buddhist city of Kandy, elephants take center stage in the annual Esala Perahera procession, which celebrates the Sacred Tooth Relic. During the festival, each elephant is beautifully adorned, with their trunks, bodies, and ears decorated, and melodic bells hanging from their necks. Amid cheering crowds, the lead elephant carries a silver casket containing the Buddha’s Tooth Relic, leading the grand parade with dignity and pride. This tradition highlights the revered status elephants hold in the hearts of Sri Lankan people.
Visiting the Dambulla Cave Temple feels like stepping back in time, immersing oneself in the presence of an ancient sanctuary. Every mural is a masterpiece of religious art, evoking awe at the wisdom and creativity of those who created them. The sculptures vividly convey the essence of Buddhist devotion, leaving visitors with a profound sense of spiritual awakening and insight. Although centuries have passed, this site, which has borne witness to generations of faith and reverence, remains a beloved destination for pilgrims and tourists alike, earning its place as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
