Dambulla

Here is a collection of rock cave temples dating back to the 1st Century B.C., when King Valagambahu who was escaping the invading army that drove him out of Anuradhapura, took refuge in these caves. Dambulla Rock is 152 meters in height with a colossal recumbent figure of the Buddha, 14 meters in length. The paintings on the ceilings of the caves and the many carvings depict great events in the life of the Buddha and landmarks in the history of the Sinhala people. The largest cave carries some 48 statues of Lord Buddha alone, with statues of some Hindu gods, (Vishnu and Saman). The statues of the Hindu gods date back to the 12th century, when Hinduism took root in Sri Lanka and started influencing the arts.