දඹුල්ල රජමහා විහාරය / Dambulla cave temple Situated 72 km north of Kandy, Dambulla marks the geographical centre of the island and the Cultural Triangle. It also holds its own treasure – a magnificent temple, which is a series of five caves established as a monastery in the 3rd Century BC. These caves, built at the base of a 150m high rock during the Anuradhapura (1st Century BC to 993 AD) and Polonnaruwa times (1073 to 1250), are by far the most impressive of the many cave temples found in Sri Lanka.Access is along the gentle slope of the Dambulla Rock, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding flat lands, which includes the rock fortress Sigiriya, 19kms away. Families of friendly monkeys make the climb even more interesting. Dusk brings hundreds of swooping swallows to the cave entrance. The Dambulla cave monastery is still functional and remains the best-preserved ancient edifice in Sri Lanka. This complex dates from the 3rd and 2nd Centuries BC, when it was already established as one of the largest and most important monasteries. King Walagambahu is traditionally thought to have converted the caves into a temple in the 1st century BC. Exiled from Anuradhapura, he sought refuge here from South Indian usurpers for 15 years. After reclaiming his capital, the King built a temple in thankful worship. Many other kings added to it later and by the 11th century, the caves had become a major religious centre and still are. King Nissanka Malla gilded the caves and added about 70 Buddha statues in 1190. During the 18th century, the caves were restored and painted by the Kandyan Kings. @steuartholidays #srilanka #dambullacavetemple #travel #srilankatravel #travelsrilanka #travelphotography #srilankan #nature #srilankadaily #photography #visitsrilanka #ceylon #travelgram #love #kandy #instagood #srilankatrip #india #follow #exploresrilanka #photooftheday #instagram #srilankatourism #galle #travelblogger #srilankatoday #like #lka (at Dambulla cave temple) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIyqnAvDSHm/?igshid=q4qhukqobjyp
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