What to see and do in Dambulla in Sri Lanka

Dambulla located 148 km east of Colombo is the main junction to the north, east, central, north-central, and northwestern parts of Sri Lanka where most of the ancient capitals were situated. Therefore Dambulla and surrounding become a major tourist destination in the country.

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Ibbankatuwa - Megalithic Burial Ground

Date of Issue : 2008-04-30

Dambulla Temple - Kandyan Era Rock Wall Painting

Date of Issue : 2002-05-17

Stone Carving at Yapahuwa Decorative Entrance

Date of Issue : 2015-07-08

Traditional Village Life in Dambulla

Date of Issue : 1963-07-05

Dambulla Temple - World Heritage Site

Date of Issue : 1980-08-25

Wasgamuwa National Park

Date of Issue : 2019-10-05

Namal Uyana

Date of Issue : 2006-05-05

‹ ›

Ibbankatuwa - Megalithic Burial Ground

Date of Issue : 2008-04-30

Dambulla Temple - Kandyan Era Rock Wall Painting

Date of Issue : 2002-05-17

Stone Carving at Yapahuwa Decorative Entrance

Date of Issue : 2015-07-08

Traditional Village Life in Dambulla

Date of Issue : 1963-07-05

Dambulla Temple - World Heritage Site

Date of Issue : 1980-08-25

Wasgamuwa National Park

Date of Issue : 2019-10-05

Namal Uyana

Date of Issue : 2006-05-05

MOST STRIKING FEATURES

Dambulla Cave Temple (also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla) is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. Dambulla cave temple is on a vast isolated rock mass towering 160 m. It was built by King Valagambahu in the 1st. Century BC.
There are more than 80 documented caves around the temple area. Major attractions are spread over 5 caves, the ceiling of which is one large sweep of colourful paintings, depicting Buddhist traditions and tales of the Buddha’s previous birth. Some of them are over 2000 years old. The murals cover an area of 2,100 square meters. Dambulla cave temple has the largest collection of Buddha statues within one place.