Why is the Dambulla Cave Temple important?

Why is the Dambulla Cave Temple important?

A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 m2 ) are of particular importance, as are the 157 statues.

Who built Dambulla Cave Temple?

Valagamba of Anuradhapura is traditionally thought to have converted the caves into a temple in the first 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.

How many steps are there in Dambulla Cave Temple?

364 steps
There are 364 steps in the Dambulla cave.

How long does it take to see Dambulla Caves?

4 – Stay for Enough Time (but not too much) Most visits take 1-2 hours. You might think that 5 cave temples would take a while to visit, but in reality, they are small rock overhangs.

What are cave temples?

Cave Temples. The idea of constructing Buddhist temples by hollowing out rock faces was brought to China from Central Asia, where monuments of this sort had been constructed for centuries. Over the years, more and more caves would be excavated and decorated as pious acts on the part of monks and artists.

Which district does Dambulla belong to?

Matale District
Dambulla

Dambulla දඹුල්ල தம்புள்ளை
Country Sri Lanka
Province Central Province
District Matale District
Divisional Secretariat Dambulla Division

In which province is Dambulla Cave Temple?

Central province
Dambulla Temple is a Cave Temple Complex in Sri Lanka located in Matale district in Central province of the country.

Who was the last ruler in Anuradhapura Kingdom?

Mahinda V
By the time of Mahinda V (982–1017), the last king of the Anuradhapura Kingdom, the rule of the king had become so weak that he could not even properly organize the collection of taxes.

Is Dambulla worth visiting?

Tucked in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, the humble town of Dambulla is a treasure trove of historical monuments that are definitely worth a visit. Dambulla is also home to the largest rose quartz mountain in South Asia and the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.

How hard is it to climb Sigiriya rock?

Climbing Sigiriya Rock is strenuous but not hard. There are about 1,200 steps to the summit. That’s roughly equivalent to climbing 60 flights of stairs.

Which cave temples are world famous?

Badami Caves Yet another noteworthy site for rock cut architecture in southern India is the Badami caves located in Karnataka. Cut out from a sandstone cliff face, the Badami caves consists of four cave temples dedicated to the deities of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

What is the Golden Dambulla Rock Temple?

Golden Dambulla Rock Temple is one of most famous & most adored ancient Buddhist sanctuaries of Sri Lanka. The cave temples were restored & re-decorated by later kings of the Polonnaruwa. King Nissankamalla (1198-1206AD) left his mark by having the statues restored & murals repainted.

Where is Dambulla cave temple located?

Location of Dambulla cave temple in Sri Lanka. Dambulla cave temple (Sinhalese: Dam̆būlū Len Vihāraya, Tamil Tampuḷḷai Poṟkōvil) also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World Heritage Site (1991) in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the country.

What is special about Rangiri Dambulla cave temple?

Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple. A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 m 2 ) are of particular importance, as are the 157 statues.

What is the name of the famous cave temple in Sri Lanka?

Dambulla cave temple (Sinhalese: Dam̆būlū Len Vihāraya, Tamil Tampuḷḷai Poṟkōvil) also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World Heritage Site (1991) in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the country. Dambulla is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka.

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