Dambulla
Climb the architectural genius that is Sigiriya standing proudly since the 5th century with its awe-inspiring engineering techniques and geometric landscaping that was years ahead of its time. Visit the Dambulla Rock Cave Temple – 5 caves acting as a reverent place of devotion for Buddhist devotees surprises visitors with its spectacular interior, where every wall is painted in various depictions of the Buddha – some claiming to be first painted as far as 2000 years ago.
Head over to Kataragama for a southern taste of history – a mixture of the beautiful Hindu culture adorning the serene Buddhist aesthetic with vibrant colours. Travel up north to witness the intricate beauty of the Hindu culture of Nagadeepa Island in Jaffna – famed to be the hallowed town of the Buddha’s second visit to the country. The calming fragrance of a thousand flowers tangled with the tendrils of incense smoke rises to the stars as the murmur of prayers envelope you in a sense of peace.
Top Attractions around Dambulla
Dambulla Cave Temple
Dambulla Rock Temple, located 2 km south of the city center, is the most extensive, the most significant, and the best preserved rock temple of Sri Lanka. The temple is cut into an enormous granite outcrop rising over 160m above the surrounding countryside.
The Rose Quartz Mountain
referred to as the Jathika Namal Uyana by the locals – is a scenic series of pink quartz mountains that’re covered in a verdant stretch of ironwood forests – the largest collection of such forests found in Sri Lanka.
Ibbankatuwa Megalithic Tombs
One of the more overlooked ruins of the town of Dambulla is the Ibbankatuwa Megalithic Tombs. These tombs are believed to be the place in which many of the prehistoric inhabitants would bury their dead. There is also evidence to suggest that these bodies were buried with specific rituals.
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