#dambulla

The Dambulla Cave Temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka. It is one of the most significant and best-preserved cave temple complexes in the country. Located in central Sri Lanka, near the town of Dambulla, this site has been a sacred pilgrimage destination for over 22 centuries. The temple consists of five main caves, each of which contains statues and paintings related to Lord Buddha and his life. There are more than 150 Buddha statues, along with depictions of various gods and goddesses. The largest statue is a 14-meter reclining Buddha carved out of the rock. Other statues include seated and standing Buddhas, as well as figures of gods and kings. #temples #100WaysOfTravel #srilanka #sigiriya #dambulla #unesco #cave #temple #buddhist #statue #tripblazers

Inscribed in 1991 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple in Sri Lanka is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in the country. This sacred site, built into five caves beneath an overhanging rock, has been a place of pilgrimage for over 22 centuries. The Buddhist mural paintings and statues within the caves are truly sights to behold. The cave temple is located on a hill, 20 km from Sigiriya. The entrance ticket costs 2,000 rupees per person and can only be purchased at the ticket counter at the foot of the hill. From there, we had to climb many flights of stairs to reach the temple entrance. The views of the surrounding area on the way up were spectacular. Before entering the temple, we had to remove our shoes, so wearing socks is recommended. Remember to wear modest clothing that covers your knees and shoulders while visiting sacred sites. There are many street vendors outside the temple selling sarongs, and it is also possible to rent a sarong to cover your knees before entering the temple. #temples #100waysoftravel #srilanka #sigiriya #dambulla #unesco #cave #temple #buddhist #statue #tripblazers #mytripvlog

The ancient city of Sigiriya and Dambulla cave temple are two of the eight UNESCO world heritage sites in Sri Lanka that you should not miss if you visit Sri Lanka. The two sites are just 20 km apart so it is possible to visit both attractions within the same day. However, I recommend spending at least a few days to explore these sites at a more leisurely pace. Check out the three-day itinerary below! Day 1: Arrive at Colombo International Airport Ratmalana. Rest for a night in Negombo. Day 2: Travel to Sigiriya. Visit Dambulla Cave Temple on the way to Sigiriya. The most convenient way to reach Sigiriya is by hiring a private car. The cheapest way is by taking local buses. We took 2 different local buses from Negombo and got off at Dambulla. It was fun albeit slightly inconvenient as we got to experience it the local way. From Dambulla you can either take a public bus or hire a tuk-tuk to Sigiriya. Day 3: Visit Sigiriya Lion Rock early in the morning. Hire a jeep ride to Minneriya National Park in the afternoon. [Must-Visit Attractions] 1. Sigiriya Lion Rock: An ancient fortress built on top of a rock column 2. Dambulla Cave Temple: The largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in the island 3. Minneriya National Park: Within an hour drive from Sigiriya, the park houses hundreds of Asian elephants which thrive on the Minneriya Tank. [Must-Try Food] There are plenty of roadside restaurants along Sigiriya Road and Hotel Road. Some of them offer a good view of the Sigiriya Lion Rock. 1. Hotel Sigiriya serves good buffet dinner. 2. Sigiriya Wew Thawulla Restaurant offers amazing views of the Lion Rock. 3. Sigiriya Lion Face serves good kattu with a stunning view of Lion Rock as a backdrop. [Accommodation ] We stayed in Hotel Sigiriya 2 km away from the entrance of Sigiriya Lion Rock with amazing views of the Lion Rock from the outdoor pool area. 📍 Hotel Sigiriya Hotel Road, Sigiriya, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka [Photo Spots] 1. Outdoor pool area of Hotel Sigiriya offers clear views of the Lion Rock. There is even a telescope by the pool for us to get a better view of the rock! 2. The journey to the top of the Lion Rock offers amazing views along the way. 3. Take pictures of the Lion Rock near the site entrance before the ascent to capture the full view of the rock. [Tips] 1. Dambulla Cave Temple: Before entering the temple we had to remove our shoes so wearing socks is recommended. Remember to wear modest clothing that covers your knee and shoulder while visiting sacred sites. There are lots of street sellers outside the temple selling sarong. It is also possible to rent a sarong to cover your knees before entering the temple. 2. Sigiriya Lion Rock: Be prepared to have a workout while visiting the Lion Rock as there are around 1200 steps of stairs to climb throughout the visit. Wear comfortable shoes! #100WaysOfTravel #srilanka #sigiriya #dambulla #unesco #cave #temple #lionrock #minneriya #worldheritage #tripblazers