Dambulla boasts of a magnificent rock temple which has been in existence for 22 centuries and consists of five sanctuaries on a hill 340m high. It contains 157 Buddha statues, serene and majestic at the same time. The numerous mural paintings cover an area of more than 2000m2. Dambulla is the largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka and even in South East Asia. This fascinating and memorable site was founded by converting the caves to a temple complex in the first century BC by King Valagamba, in gratitude for the shelter provided to him during an invasion by marauding Dravidians from South India.
Entrance Fee USD 12.00 per person