Sri Lanka - Dambulla

Chandima - Sri Lanka - 20.01.2011

Raja Maha Vihara - Dambulla Cave Temple

It is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains.There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area. Major attractions are spread over 5 caves, which contain statues and paintings. These paintings and statues are related to Lord Buddha and his life. There total of 153 Buddha statues, 3 statues of Sri Lankan kings and 4 statues of gods and goddesses. The latter include two statues of Hindu gods, the god Vishnu and the god Ganesh. The murals cover an area of 2,100 square meters. Depictions on the walls of the caves include the temptation by the demon Mara, and Buddha's first sermon.

This site is situated 148 km east of Colombo and 72 km north of Kandy.

UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991