Dambulla is a city and a world—famous cave temple in Sri Lanka, which is often visited along with Sigiriya. The Golden Cave Temple of Dambulla– a complex carved into the rock at an altitude of about 350 meters and dating back to the 1st century BC, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Devarajalena (Cave of the King of Gods) inside is a 14-meter reclining Buddha statue, a statue of the god Vishnu. Maharajalena (Cave of the Great Kings) is the largest cave with a stupa, many Buddha statues and a famous crack through which water rises due to the capillary effect. Maha Alut Viharaya (Great New Monastery) inside is a 9-meter statue of the sleeping Buddha and thousands of Buddha images on the ceiling. Pacchima Viharaya. A small cave with a dagoba (stupa), which was looted and restored. Devana Alut Viharaya. The smallest cave, which previously served as a warehouse, with 11 statues of Buddha. Tips for visiting · Clothing: Take socks — you need to take off your shoes before entering the caves, and the stones may be hot. · Weather: The climb is short-lived, but it can be difficult in the heat. Take water, a hat, and sunscreen. Monkeys: Monkeys with distinctive bangs live near the temple. Don't feed them and keep an eye on things.

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Анастасия

Level 20 Local Expert

If you're driving past Sigiriya, then it's definitely worth stopping by. $20 per person entrance. You also need to get up, but it will take about 15 minutes at a relaxed walking pace. Monkeys on the rise and around the temple. Beautiful architecture.

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Денис Иванов

Level 22 Local Expert

The energy of caves combined with a thousand-year history. It's crowded. The ticket office is located at the parking lot on the opposite side of the mountain from the Golden Buddha. A toilet for foreigners with water next to the parking lot. Climbing the mountain in the midday heat is exhausting. It is necessary to leave shoes at the entrance to the temple complex, so I recommend wearing socks, because in some caves it is sticky, and outside the stones are scalding hot. The shoes are worn by a couple of people and there is a suspicion that impostors are imposing paid services. The ceilings in the caves are interestingly painted, almost like our frescoes, and there is a six-pointed star above one of the entrances. Peacefully reclining Buddhas have a calming effect. Many statues carved into the rock are admired by the skill of ancient sculptors. The panoramic view at the entrance to the caves is magnificent. I didn't like that in one of the caves, they hang threads on their wrists and then ask for a "donation." On the descent to the Golden Buddha, they recklessly bought sliced mangoes, a gang of monkeys immediately surrounded them and began extorting treats, baring their teeth and imitating a bite attempt. I had to go through this formation, waving my backpack. Do not feed the monkeys, no matter how mimic they look, because more adult and aggressive creatures will come running out of the forest. The statue of the Golden Buddha was in the woods for reconstruction.

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Dambulla Cave Temple

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