Dambulla is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites located in the region known as Sri Lanka`s Cultural Triangle. It is located 24 km (30 min) from Sigiriya in central Sri Lanka. Built in about 80 BC It is the largest and best preserved cave temple in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist temple complex of Dambulla consists of five cave temples carved under a very large overhanging rock. The cave walls and ceiling are entirely painted with paintings depicting early Buddhist historical events and murals with traditional Buddhist designs. Like all the other cave temples, this one is dimly lit, preserving the vibrant colors of the paintings and murals. Another unusual feature of this particular cave temple is the large metal bowl that was placed inside the cave centuries ago, presumably to catch rain dripping from the cave roof. It`s said that even in a severe drought, the water in the bowl does not dry up. The vast internal spaces of the cave shrines are not compartmentalized, but are spatially differentiated by a deliberate and subtle arrangement of polychrome sculpture of exceptional craftsmanship and decorated with brilliant compositions of mural paintings. The vast internal spaces of the cave shrines are not compartmentalized, but are spatially differentiated by a deliberate and subtle arrangement of polychrome sculpture of exceptional craftsmanship and decorated with brilliant compositions of mural paintings.
