The Dambulla Cave Temple was a place I always wanted to visit but it was not on our bike tour itinerary. Our guide Peter made it happen for three of us who were interested. We were still exhausted from climbing Sigiriya’s 1250 steps before lunch so the 400 steps up to the sacred caves in the afternoon was especially tiring with all the heat and humidity. We took a break or two in the shade going up the steps.

Ah…some shade!

The colorful flags symbolize Buddhism.

The Dambulla Cave Temple is a World Heritage Site consisting of 5 cave temples. The oldest are from the 2nd century BCE. We visited the two oldest caves.

This Buddha sculpture shows “Mucalinda”, a Naga and king of the serpents. He is protecting Buddha from the elements during his meditation under the Bodhi tree.

I experienced an amazing sense of awe while exploring the caves.

A reclining Buddha carved out of rock in the cave.

The Devaraja Viharaya, or Temple of the Lord of the Gods, contains the huge reclining Parinirvana Buddha which is 45′ long and carved out of solid rock.

Sacred ancient stone statues.

The frescos are some of the oldest in the caves.

Beautiful sculptures.

Another reclining Buddha in a different cave.

The cave roof is full of frescos.

A statue of Vishnu in the blue.

Prominent statue of Buddha Abhaya Mudra in the orange robes. Abhaya in Sanskrit means fearlessness. This mudra symbolizes protection, peace, and the dispelling of fear.

Ancient wall frescos.

A statue of King Valagambahu with the crown (104 BCE & 89-76 BCE) .

A powerful and majestic Buddha sculpture.

Photos Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.