Dambulla or Tampuḷḷai is a picturesque town and important tourist destination situated in the north of Matale district of the central province of SriLanka. It is the second-largest populated city in the district. It is situated 148 km northeast of Colombo. Due to its location at a major junction, it is the center of major vegetable distribution in the country.
Dambulla is the home to the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex of Sri Lanka. It is also famed for the Sigiriya rock fortress and the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. Dambulla also boasts the largest rose quartz mountain range in SouthAsia, and the Ironwood forest, or Na Uyana Aranya.
Ibbankatuwa prehistoric burial site near Dambulla cave temple complexes is the latest archaeological site of significant historical importance found in Dambulla, which is located within 3 km of the cave temples providing evidence of the presence of indigenous civilizations long before the arrival of Indian influence on the island nation.
The area is thought to be inhabited from as early as the 7th to 3rd century BC. Statues and paintings in these caves date back to the 1st century BC. But the paintings and statues were repaired and repainted in the 11th, 12th, and 18th centuries AD. The caves in the city provided refuge to King Valagamba (also called Vattagamini Abhaya) in his 14-year-long exile from the Anuradhapura kingdom.
When King Valagamba returned to the throne at Anuradapura kingdom in the 1st century BC, he had a magnificent rock temple built at Dambulla in gratitude to the monks in Dambulla. 47 caves make up the Dambulla Cave Temple which 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. Major attractions are spread over 5 caves, which contain statues and paintings. The paintings and statues are related to Buddha and his life. There are a total of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings, and four statues of god and goddess.
The latter four include two statues of Hindu gods, Vishnu and Ganesh. Besides these, there are other important tourism locations worth visiting including Minneriya National Park, Kandalama Lake, Buddhist Museum, Pidurangala Rock, Popham’s Arboretum, Traditional Foods Sales Centre, Dambulla Dedicated Economic Centre, and Kalu Diya Pokuna. Dambulla is a huge and modern market town that is considered the main commercial hub of Sri Lanka’s North Central Province. The shopping streets are full of stores offering bicycles, household utensils a bewildering array of agricultural implements, and much more.
Well connected by rail, air, and road, the best time to travel to Dambulla is between January and May. The government-run “Traditional Foods Sales Centre” sells delicious local traditional foods. There are a few more good restaurants within the city that sell Indian as well as Chinese delicacies at reasonable prices. There are numerou hotels and resorts that provide luxurious, mid-range ad budget accommodation to tourists.
Dambulla is a favorite spot for hiking enthusiasts as there are several rock formations in and around the city where hiking can be done besides the jungles. Dambulla is the place to be for wildlife enthusiasts thanks to Minneriya National Park, which is home to some of the largest elephant herds on the #island and tourists can go on jeep safari There are numerous picturesque lakes.
In the city worth visiting for those who love tranquility. Also worth visiting is Popham Arboretum which is home to various species of trees, birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and mammals making it a birdwatchers paradise. Dambulla Dedicated Economic Centre is the main economic hub of the city where farmers from nearby areas come to sell their produce. A visit to Dambulla is a must for nature lovers and foodies.
