Dambula, Golden Cave Temple, Sri Lanka

Dambulla Cave Temple – Entrance fee, opening hours, dress code…

Last Updated on September 25, 2023

Located in Central Sri Lanka and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, Dambulla’s Buddhist Golden Caves Temple was built in the first century BC and used to serve as a shelter for monks during the rainy season.

Called Raja Maha Vihara originally, the caves are carved from a huge granite rock and are the best-preserved and the biggest cave system in Sri Lanka. Located at the top of the rock, a steep staircase leads to the caves, on the way people sell flowers for offerings, and monkeys await to make a snack out of them.

Read on to learn everything you need to know to plan your trip to Dambulla Cave Temple, plus other things to do in Dambulla.

Dambulla Cave Temple dress code: before entering any temple in Sri Lanka, cover your knees and shoulder, and remove your hat and shoes.

Dambulla Cave Temple entrance fee: the entrance fee for foreigners is LKR 1,500 – you can buy your ticket directly at the temple.

Dambulla Cave Temple opening hours: open every day from 7 AM to 7 PM (the ticket counter closes at 5 PM).

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Dambulla Golden Temple History

It is really common for Buddhists or Hindus to transform caves into temples. It fits their idea of a simple life, especially for monastic life. Caves are also regarded as sacred places made by the Gods.

The Golden Caves Temple in Dambulla is incredibly well preserved, the murals kept all of their colors, and the details are impressive, the paintings cover as much as 2 100 square meters (or 1.3 square miles). They mostly represent the temptation of Buddha by the demon Mara, and the first time he preached.

There are 153 Buddha sculptures present in the caves, and contrary to most Buddha statues, four. There’s also a statue of Vishnu and one of Saman, as well as statues of kings and deities.

View from the top, Dambulla, Sri Lanka
View from the top

Additionally to the sculptures and paintings, the Dambulla rock hosts 80 caves, five sanctuaries, and four main temples. These Sri Lankan temples were created by the Raja Vattagamani Abhaya (also known as King Valagamba), king of Sri Lanka, during the first century BC.

He had to flee his capital, Anuradhapura, when the Hindus invaded. He took refuge in Dambulla for fourteen years with the Buddhist monks, living in the caves. When he got back on his throne and reconquered Anuradhapura, he decided to create temples there and make it a pilgrimage site.

Since then and until the 20th century, the cave temples have been improved little by little, creating what we can admire today.

The temple at the bottom of the hill, Dambulla, Sri Lanka
Golden Temple at the bottom of the rock

Dambulla Cave Temple Dress Code

Like in every Buddhist temple, you should cover your knees and shoulders, remove your hat and take off your shoes before entering the temple. I always recommend carrying a sarong, so you have something to cover up when needed.

Related article – Dos and don’ts of visiting a Buddhist temple

Dambulla Cave Temple Opening Hours

The site is open every day from 7 AM to 7 PM (the ticket counter closes at 5 PM). The best time to visit is early morning if you want to enjoy some peace and quiet or around 2 hours before sunset so you can watch it after visiting the caves.

Dambulla Cave Temple Entrance Fee

The entrance fee for the Dambulla Cave Temple is LKR 1,500.

How long does it take to visit the Dambulla Cave Temple?

I would advise counting 2 hours, the climb is not that hard, but you’ll probably have to take a break or two on the way. There are five caves to visit and a lot to see, so 2 hours is perfect.

Architecture and Paintings of the Caves

Cave 5: Devana Alut Viharaya or Second New Temple

This cave is the last one to have been built. The construction date is unknown. Contrary to the other caves where the sculptures are made of granite, here they are made of plaster and bricks.

The most notable one is the 10 meters (32 feet) reclining Buddha. Hindu and local deities are painted on the wall as well as a nobleman who is thought to have funded the construction of the cave.

Cave 4: Paccima Viharaya or Western Temple

This cave is the smallest one, around the wall is a row of meditating Buddha statues and some more Buddhas painted on the walls, mixed with floral and squared patterns. In the middle of the cave, stands a Dagoba (or Stupa), the damages on its side were made by burglars who thought it contained the late queen’s jewelry.

Cave 3: Maha Alut Viharaya or Great New Temple

This temple construction was ordered by Sri Lankan King Kirti Sri Rajasinha (1747-1782 AD).

The two doors are guarded by carved dragon arches. The ceiling here reaches 10 meters, making it the highest cave. The reclining Buddha statue is carved out of solid rocks, as well as the meditating Buddha. It’s quite impressive if you think about the rudimentary tools they had at the time.

About a thousand seated Buddhas are painted on the ceiling, and 40 more are painted on the walls accompanied by 15 Buddha statues. Near the entrance, you’ll also find a sculpture of Kirti Sri Rajasinha with 4 of his attendants painted behind him.

Cave 3, Dambulla, Sri Lanka

Cave 2: Maharaja Vihara or Temple of the Great Kings

This cave is the biggest one (50 meters deep) and probably the more spectacular. It was built under King Vattagamini Abhaya but was altered many times by its successors.

The cave is named after himself and King Nissanka Malla. The painted wooden image of the first is located near the entrance, and the one of the latter is at the far right-hand of the cave, behind a large reclining Buddha. Many wooden statues of Hindu Deities are also to be found in this cave.

The murals here are truly amazing, with a lot of details, made in Kandyan style, they depict the life of Buddha.

Cave 1: Devaraja Viharaya or Temple of the Lord of the Gods

This cave is named after Vishnu, who is thought to have created the Dambulla cave complex. Inside, you will find a 14-meter-long sleeping Buddha made of solid rock. His shoulders are covered by gold gilding.

The murals here are a bit fading out, they are believed to be the oldest ones, but constant repainting through the centuries makes it hard to tell for sure.

Next to the sleeping Buddha, a statue of Ananda, one of his disciples, lay at his feet. Behind him, the brightly colored murals are a new addition from the 20th century, clashing a bit with the other paintings.

Before the entrance of the first cave, on the right side, you will find a blue chapel dedicated to Kataragama.

Other things to do in Dambulla

Apart from visiting the Golden Temple, there’s not much to do in Dambulla. One great thing to do is to visit the Kaluduya Pokuna ruins. A nice trek through the jungle will take you to this remote and unknown site. You can take a bus to the starting point of the trek then it’s about 2 hours if you take your time.

You can also easily organize a day trip to Sigiriya Rock Fortress and its famous Lion Rock from Dambulla. Both are pretty close and there are frequent buses going there.

Best Hotels Near Dambulla Cave Temples

There are a few backpackers options in Dambulla as well as nicer hotels. It’s usually pretty cheap (you can find a double room for less than USD 5).

If you want to stay in a hostel, check out the New Dambulla City Hostel. It’s a great place to socialize and relax. Every bed has a mosquito net, individual fan, plug and locker – and the hostel offers a big garden, social areas, and a kitchen guests can use. They also have private rooms.

If you want to try a homestay, check out Autumn Home Stay. All rooms have a private bathroom and breakfast is included.

If you want to treat yourself, check out Sigiriya Kingdom Gate Hotel Dambulla. The settings are great, surrounded by nature yet not too far from the city. Most rooms have views over the mountains, there are a pool and every facility you might need. Their cheapest rooms start at 40$, going all the way to 300$.

Don’t have much time? Want to go with a guide? Check out these great tours:

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Dambulla Cave Temple - Entrance fee, opening hours, dress code...