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Cave Temple in Dambulla, Sri Lanka

Spend sometime here!

Rated 4.33/5 ( based on 3217 reviews )

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Quick Information

Best time to visit

Nov - Feb

Ideal Duration

3-4 Days

Visa

On Arrival

Starting from

Rs. 1,980

Culture
Wildlife
Nature

About Cave Temple in Dambulla

The mesmerizing town of Dambulla is located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka in the Matale district. One would be amazed to know that it is known for a plethora of things, including the fact that it is home to the beautiful ancient rock ruins, Sigiriya and the country’s central hub for vegetable distribution. However, the Dambulla Cave Temple is one of the most important things to see here. These caves (also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla) are a World Heritage Site that is preserved to a level of perfection for a structure as old as this. One would be amazed to know that in fact, these ruins - the glorious Dambulla Caves are perhaps the largest best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka.

History of Dambulla Caves

Dambulla Cave Temple history dates back to the ancient times, precisely the first century BCE. It is believed that King Valagamba of Anuradhapura, revolted against and overthrown by South Indian invasions, sough refuge in these caves during his exile and transformed them into temples. After he regained his empire after 15 long years, he built temples here out of gratitude. The kings who came later made their additions to the structure of this temple. The gilding of caves and the addition of 70 Buddha statues in 1190 was carried out by Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa. On the other hand, the additions and restorations done in the 18th century were carried out by the Kingdom of Kandy.

Significance and attractions of the Dambulla Caves

Dambulla Cave Temple of Sri Lanka used to be home to prehistoric civilians before Buddhism arrived in the country, as proven by the 2700-year-old human skeletons found at Ibbankatuwa near the caves. The major attractions are spread over five caves, which have paintings and statues of Sri Lankan kings of the yore, and of gods and goddesses of both Hinduism and Buddhism. Cave of the Divine King is the first cave, which has a 14m Buddha statue and an account of the foundation of the monastery in Brahmi script. The second one, Cave of the Great Kings is the largest one and the third cave, the Great New Monastery has 50 Buddha statues and famous Buddhist revivalist king of Kandy, Kirti Sri Rajasinha. To reach the caves at a height of 150m, one has to climb the famous Dambulla Cave Temple steps for 364 stairs.

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Colombo Packages Reviews

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Abhishek Jaiswal

Kolkata

Abhishek's 9 days trip to Colombo

It was a great trip as most of it was planned by us and was guided a bit by White Monkeys. Having a car with a driver at all times was great. The driver was also very sweet and humble. Apart from the things that worked there were many moments of miscommunication from the travel agent which made us

lose money. In certain cases we also had our shortcomings, but the discount opportunities were not communicated to us by the travel agent. We were misled about the timings of our jeep tour for Yala National Park, we were not told about the saarc country discounts, the driver had very little knowledge about places. All of these definitely made us feel that we overpaid atleast 200usd for the package. The travel agent also didn't accept these issues and chose not to respond. It was a great trip but these were the only moments of disappointment and frustration.

Kaushal Mahajan

Noida

Kaushal's 5 days trip to Colombo

Good Hotels, well planned, Driver Mr.Indunil was very helpful. Overall they arranged a very memorable trip. Our Stay at Earl's Reef resort at Beruwala.

Veenadhanakumaran

Chennai

Veenadhanakumaran's 6 days trip to Colombo

Hii.. we had an amazing trip to Srilanka for 9 days..through travel triangle I got introduced to Chamodi Nisansala.. she was the best helped us through everything we didn’t have any trouble it was smooth and fully organised .. our driver/guide Jayawardene was too gud he explained everything abt th

e places .. thank you

Rahul Kumar

Delhi

Rahul's 13 days trip to Colombo

Travco planned trip nicely, it was comfortable & good trip. Recommend Trvaco for booking Sri Lanka trip

Anirudh Tadanki

Hyderabad

Anirudh's 7 days trip to Colombo

Trip Travel Hub did a good job overall with the trip planning, bookings etc. However, the places where their planning was found wanting was as follows:

Ajesh Desai

Ahmedabad

Ajesh's 10 days trip to Colombo

Except mirrissa gate all hotel were as per expectation. Feedback has been submitted to direct link Planning and execution

Ganesan

Delhi

Shanil's 5 days trip to Colombo

We have AWWWsome experience with TRAVCO they are the best travel agent i have found in the world. i have travel many countries but services & look into customer services are EXCELLENT up to the mark 100% Arrival till departure they always with your family & take care - upon arrival warm welcoming

Mr. Fernando & Mr. Athula with Sri Lanka Traditional Ceylon Tea after that we had wonderful holiday in beauty of country, we highly recommended who wanted to go Sri Lanka please take package from TRAVCO they are the best agent in the world i have travel almost 48 countries that kind of services & warm welcoming never received Contact Mr. Fernando from TRAVCO he is the one arrange your tour memorable +94776761823

MIKE FISCHER

Chennai

Vimal's 5 days trip to Colombo

I wanted to extend my heartfelt thanks to you and your team for organizing such a wonderful trip for us. Everything was perfectly planned. We’ll certainly recommend your services to our friends and family, and we look forward to planning our next adventure with you! Our chauffeur - Pathmasiri Banda

ra I wanted to take a moment to thank him for his exceptional service during our trip. His professionalism, punctuality, and friendly behaviour made our journey so much more enjoyable. We truly appreciated his safe driving, local insights, and the way he went above and beyond to ensure our comfort throughout the trip. He is strongly recommended to other tourists.

Kalyani V

Chennai

Kalyani's 6 days trip to Colombo

The Frontline staff & steeple Tours planned an excellent itenary for our trip for 8 days. Our appreciation to Ms Dilini of Steeple Tours and her 24×7 support on all the 8 days throught the trip is awesome. The Van 19 seater was ok but the driver Mr Nandana was extremely good and adjustable with us

in many ways . He takes personal interest to take care of my mother 87 years old wherever she could not get down from the cab. The chauffeur Mr Charitha was a problem to us right from picking us at the airport, made us wait at the entrance airport zbd went to arrange cab for another 4 german traveller's. He was a man full of attitude always complaining about m/s steeple Tours, our agents and on the 7th day wanted to go away to pick some of his friend from the airport and made us wait at the road jn pitch dark for more than 40 minutes. Only with the interference of our staff M/s Dillini from steeple Tours we could reach the hotel at bentota on that day night. The chaffeur guide Mr Charitha did not behave properly and did not show anything at Colombo on the last day resulting a great disappointment to us. We lost our enjoyment due to the guide Mr Charitha eventhough we had a good itenary and support fron Ms. Dillini and with a good driver for the vehicle Mr Nandana The places are memorable and beautiful at nuwareliya & nine arch bridge, kandy cultural programme is worth to be seen. Seetha Amman temple, kathirkamam are oc devotional memories. Also Hanjman temple on way to nuwareliya and Indian restaurant Annapoorani there are great memories to us

Vyshnavi Bellamkonda

Hyderabad

Vyshnavi's 8 days trip to Colombo

Chamondi is very helpful in tour planning. The chaffour Lion and tour guide Tharindar are very very good.

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FAQ's of Colombo

Read on to find out why our customers love us!

How many stairs does one have to climb at Dambulla caves?

There are around 364-365 stairs to climb to reach the Dambulla Cave temples.

How long does it take to see the Dambulla Caves?

It takes around 1-1.5 hours to see the Dambulla Caves.

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Cave Temple in Dambulla, Sri Lanka

Spend sometime here!

Quick Information

Best time to visit

Nov - Feb

Ideal Duration

3-4 Days

Visa

On Arrival

Starting from

Rs. 1,980

Culture

Wildlife

Nature

About Cave Temple in Dambulla

Similar Destinations

Nuwara Eliya

Kandy

Sigiriya

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Colombo Packages Reviews

Abhishek's 9 days trip to Colombo

Kaushal's 5 days trip to Colombo

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Rahul's 13 days trip to Colombo

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Ajesh's 10 days trip to Colombo

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