Cave Temple in Dambulla, Sri Lanka

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Quick Information

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Best time to visit
Nov - Feb
Ideal Duration
3-4 Days
Visa
On Arrival
Starting from
Rs. 1,980
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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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The service provider Steeple Tours was excellent and they coordinated the trip very well. No challenges during the entire trip. Special mention of the driver and guide who was very helpful. Ready to go anytime as per the plan and guided the entire tour. However, there was NO support from the travel triangle guide starting from the booking till closure. Hardly I had a chance to speak to him. Even during the payment, had to escalate as he was not reachable. The whole experience thru travel triangle was NOT satisfactory.

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Great job done by Steeple Tours for our Sri Lanka itinerary. The trip was completely customized and as per our convenience. The guide was great and kept us informed. We had a lovely vacation.

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Padhu's 7 days trip to Colombo

Hi, We sincerely appreciate the wonderful arrangements your team made for our recent trip to Sri Lanka. Overall, it was a memorable experience, and we’re grateful for your efforts in showcasing this beautiful country—clean, green, and filled with warm, responsible people. The emphasis on road safety and the peaceful atmosphere added to our enjoyment. Highlights: The itinerary was well-curated, and most accommodations/transfers were seamless. Your team’s hospitality and attention to detail in key locations were exceptional. Constructive Feedback for Improvement: Hotel Concerns (3rd Stay): The remote location and lack of basic amenities at the third hotel made our family uncomfortable, especially as we were the only guests. A refund for this stay would be greatly appreciated. Transparency in Costs: Entry fees at temples/private attractions were unexpected. Clarifying these in advance or including them in the package would help future travelers. Similarly, sharing day-wise programs with detailed cost breakdowns (e.g., train tickets) would improve planning. Itinerary Communication: Providing a more detailed schedule (e.g., attraction entry times, fee lists) would enhance the experience. Request: Given the issues with the third hotel and unused train tickets, we kindly ask for a refund or credit for these. This would reflect your commitment to customer satisfaction. Also as agreed by your team return off $80 towards train arrangement which was cancelled due to local strike. Please note we lost $200 during the trip which was unexpected. Thank you again for the beautiful moments and your responsiveness throughout. We’d love to recommend your services with these refinements in place. Special thanks to Madhu who supported us through the tour Thanks to Aruna for safe driving Best regards, Padmanabhan

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FAQ's of Colombo

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

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

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