This World Heritage Site is one of the foremost centers of Buddhist pilgrimage as well as one of the largest cave temple complexes in South Asia. It is a major attraction for tourists and locals, who flock to see the dazzling and numerous rock and wall paintings of the Lord Buddha. Its location is unique- situated in the center of Sri Lanka, where the northern edge of the central plains descend to the plains of the north central Dry
Zone, the striking

Dambulla rock immediately captures the visitor’s imagination. The site is also interesting because it preserves a continuous archaeological record extending from prehistoric to modern times. The Ibbankatuva cemetery has yielded 42 clusters of megalithic tombs, providing valuable information about Iron Age farming settlements in the area.

The monastery itself was found in the 3rd century B.C. Of the numerous chambers found in the shelter, only five are in use today, the best known of which is the Maharaja Vihara. The paintings are generally divided according to 3 themes- paintings of the Buddha Charita (life of the Buddha), the arrival of Vijaya (the founder of the Sinhalese race) and the advent of Buddhism. Few will fail to be awed by the dizzying array of artistic genius on display here. The cave also contains a rich collection of Buddha sculptures in various postures, as well a few statues of gods, Bodhisattvas (previous incarnations of Lord Buddha) and kings.

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