Dambulla Caves

Dambulla cave temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, is a World Heritage Site situated in the central part of Sri Lanka. It is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, with five caves containing statues and paintings related to Gautama Buddha and his life. The temple complex dates back to the first century BCE and has been embellished with arched colonnades and gabled entrances. The caves contain 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings, and four statues of gods and goddesses, including Vishnu and Ganesha. The murals cover an area of 2,100 square meters and depict scenes from early Buddhist history, including the temptation by the demon Mara and Buddha's first sermon. The temple is still functional and remains the best-preserved ancient edifice in Sri Lanka