It is not often that I enter a room and gasp out loud ‘Wow’. But entering the caves of Dambulla, with with their magnificent statues of the Buddha, and their stunning frescos, was definitely one occasion. The second cave in particular, is one of the most spectacular, yet moving, works of art I have seen.
The cave temples, near the town of Dambulla in central Sri Lanka, date back to the first century BCE. King Valagamba (also known as Vattagamini Abhaya) had been driven out of his capital in nearby Anuradhapura, by an invasion from southern India, and forced into hiding for fourteen years. He took refuge in the Dambulla caves. When he subsequently regained his throne, Valagamba turned the caves into temples, in gratitude for the hiding place the rock had offered him. There are five caves at Dambulla, containing some 150 statutes of the Buddha – one of them, of the Buddha reclining, is 16 metres long – as well as a handful of statues of Sri Lankan kings and of Hindu gods and goddesses. The walls of caves are adorned by magnificent frescos, most of which tell the story of the Buddha and his life. New frescos were added by later kings, including Nissanka Malla, who in the eleventh century gilded the interiors of the caves.
The darkness of the caves, and the softness of the light inside, creates a meditative quality, enhancing the startling beauty. The contrast with the tacky, Disneyfied modern Golden Temple at the start of the climb to the caves, only adds to the specialness of the original. It is impossible to convey that beauty in photographs – it is the experience that is so special – but here are some that may give a sense at least of that specialness.
Pandaemonium 
Thank you for this. I can only imagine what it must be like to actually be there.
We were there few days before Galle Literature Festival, I felt the spirituality of this unique place that you are describing so well (also if I am an atheist /
agnostic).
I enjoyed very much Dambulla, I agree that is very meditative, calm and beautiful inside…
Incredible images.Ii just wish I could see it physically but I sensed the awe inspiring calm and peace.
Peace to all
I’m honored to have read this article of The Buddha of Dambulla. I thank all for bringing this information worldwide. I believe by you and your staff informing the masses… You’ll be blessed as well your love ones. May Lord Buddha Bless all. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.
These are stunning. Thank you for your photographs and information. I will probably never get there but I like knowing they are there. Namaste.
I should maybe be embarrassed to admit that I didn’t go into the caves in Dambulla, even though I was in the town for a couple of days last year. They have a dual pricing policy for temples and historical sites in Sri Lanka, where for Sri Lankans it’s very cheap to visit, but foreigners haver to pay about ten times as much.
I went as far up the hill as I could before someone asked me for my ticket. I think it would have been about $10 dollars.
It’s a shame really, because I missed out on a lot of sites because I didn’t want to be ripped off like that.
Utterly wonderful. Many thanks for the best start to a Monday ever!