Midway between Kandy, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, the Dambulla Cave Temple – also known as the Golden Temple – is one of Sri Lanka’s most impressive man-made wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Five dimly lit cave shrines house an extraordinary collection of statues and ceiling paintings depicting the life of the Buddha, glowing in rich reds and golds that have survived for over two thousand years. Look closely and you’ll also spot depictions of Vishnu, Ganesha and other historic deities woven into the artwork.
- Five ornate cave shrines carved into the rock
- Centuries-old Buddhist murals and statues
- Sweeping views over the surrounding plains
- A convenient stop between Kandy and Sigiriya
This site pairs naturally with a Sigiriya visit, and both are easily combined in a single day from Kandy or Habarana.