The Golden Temple of Dambulla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the country’s biggest and finest maintained cave temple complex. This majestic overhanging rock temple, 600 feet high and about 2000 feet long, was where King Vattagamini Abaya (King Valagamba) sought sanctuary from enemy invasion in the first century BCE, and in gratitude, he transformed the cave complex into a rock temple. Amble up the slope of the Dambulla Rock; be greeted by troops of wild monkeys as they sit behind the fenced wall and chatter loudly, be mesmerized by the scenic view of the surrounding areas and a glimpse of the Sigiriya Rock – as it rises up to the sky. There are 80 documented Caves in the vicinity of the Golden Temple of which five possess the most appeal with its beautiful archeological features; traditional mural paintings on the ceiling and walls depicting the life of the Buddha along with 157 Buddha statues of varying sizes amongst other interesting artifacts.
