Dambulla Cave Temple
is most largest conservated cave temple in Sri Lanka.
It is situated in Central Province of Matale Distric.


Dambulla Cave Temple was built by 
king  Wattagamini Abhaya,
(king Walgamba)
in 89BC-77BC.

Five caves were built as a shrine rooms. 
When enter through entrance orderly.
As follows
Dewraja viharaya -          Cave No - 1
Maharaja viharaya -        Cave No - 2
Mahaaluth viharaya -      Cave No - 3
Pashchima viharaya -      Cave No - 4
Dewana aluth viharaya - Cave No - 5



There are 151 Buddha statues with many various positions and "mudras";
Apart from that there are three statues of Gods;
Two images of  Bodhisathwa,
And three images of Kings.







22000 squire feets were using for painting industry of the
whole canopy and walls of shrine.
Majority pictures were including
incident Buddha and Bodhisathwa charactors.
But some were including importance
of   some historical events.



Number of thousands pilgrims and tourists
daily vist to here. This place is developing
through revenue of lands belongs to
Viharaya and sale of this booklet allocated
as a potion for develop the Viharaya
and increasing for education purposes.

  • I want to give special thank behalf  of succeeded for this mission;names are mentioning as follows
  • Most Reverened, Chief Incumbent of Dambulla Cave Temple
  • Most Reverened, Chief Guardian of  Dambulla Cave Temple
  • Reverend, Principle of Walagamba Maha Pirivena. Shrine's official crew of duities.
All others who assist for completed successfully of this task.
M. M. Ananda Marasingha
Kandalama Road, Dambulla.

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When considering most of them belongs in Kandiyan period.
Some pictures were belonged before that period also.
King Sri NishshnkaMalla (1187-1196) coated gold layer of images,
after that, Dambulla Cave Temple converted named as a "Swarnagiri Guha".
Following kings had done serveral reconstructions according to as
their religious responsibilities.

Koota Kanna Thissa (BC 44 - 20)

Maha Vijayabahu (1056 - 1114)

Sri Nishshankamalla (1187 - 1196)


Vikramabahu (1360 - 1374)

5th Buwanekabahu (1374 - 1408)

1st Vimaladarmasuriya (1592 - 1604)

Senearath (1604 - 1635)

2nd Vimaladarmasuriya (1667 - 1707)

Keerthi Sri Rajasingha (1747 - 1782)

Rajadhi Rajasingha (1782 - 1798)


Based on easy worships for pilgrims, Rev. Ambulambe Sunanada Thero
built a long open verandah with stable stage.
When concern East side of shrine were developing from Most
Rev. Inamaluwe Sumangala Thero, Department of Archeology and
Central Cultural Fund. Following names using for
Dambulla Cave Temple at the ancient time.

Jambukola, Dambakola, Chathawana, Chathapabbatha, Achchagiriya,
Achchagalla, Wishwagiri, Wessagiri, SwarnagiriGuha.

Around 35 inscriptions have found regarding this Cave Temple.
While "Struggle of Liberation" in 1848 Gongale Goda Banda was 
elected as a King in this cave temple.
There are many ruins scatted around sacred place of "Somawathi Dagaba".
It is situated west side from the Cave Temple.


Dewaraja Viharaya No - 01

When enter the Cave Temple can see first cave named as a
Dewaraja Viharaya. There are six Buddha statues and one God 
statue in this Vihara. Given to the prior among the other statue
is called as a "seat of passed away of Buddha"' Apart from that 
including four statues of "Samadhi" and one standing statue of 
"Ananda Thero". Allocated also this place as a shrine of "Vishnu",
including a statue of God "Vishnu".


Maharaja Viharaya - 02


This is a most largest cave among other caves in Dambulla Cave
Temple. There are two main entrances. When enter from both of them
can appear same statues, with same "Mudras". When concern both
statues situated North it is a more large than other in this cave.
It has established a pagoda (18 feets) named as a "Galkudu Saaya" as 
well as we can see many type of paintings regarding a charactor of 
Buddha and Bodhisattwa, not only that but also many historical
and cultural events based for this pictures. In this cave all together
including 56 Buddha Statues.
Among those things 39 statues are sitting type, 
16 statues are standing type, only one is a sleeping type.
Very firstly this Cave Temple was established who King
Walagamba's statue situated at North entrance.
In South side situated statue of King Nishshankamalla.
Back to the main statue located God of "Upulwan" and God of
"Sumana Saman" statues. Beside of this main statue have two 
statues of "Maithree "and "Natha".
It has a drop of water never disappear most of pilgrims concern
that as a astonish thing.

Maha Aluth Viharaya No - 03


In 1747 was started by King Keerthi Sri Rajasingha of construction of
this shrine. The length of this shrine 90 feets and width 81 feets. "Navinne
Dammadassi" Thero and "Pothuhara Rathnapala" Thero were helping to
the King for constructions of this shrine.
In this cave including 57 statues of Buddha. Among this statues, 42 are
standing statues, 14 statues are sitting type one of the statue is sleeping
type. This cave built as a shrine by "King Keerthi Sri Rajasingha",
His statue also including in this place. (near the door)

Pashchima Viharaya No - 04


The King Walagamba has built this "Viharaya" as very first one.
(among the main 5 shrines)
Cause of including 5 statues name became as a "Pashchima Viharaya"
in reing period of King Walagamba. But today call as a
"Pashchima Viharaya". After that when concern in present there are
21 statues belongs several reign periods.
It has a special thing. If it is located a samll and nice "Pagoda".
It is most attractive among local and foreign tourists. It named as a
"Somawathie Dagaba". People are believing including many
equipments of Somadevi was using for increasing "beauty" in this
Pagoda. (1st lady of the king Walagamba)
When concern above 21 statues. two are standing type and
19 statues are sitting type.

Dewana Aluth Viharaya No - 05


This viharaya has not exact builder and period. But after
Kandiyan period "Adhikaram Dullawe" was built this Viharaya.
(According to one of folk resource) But that also not confirm.
In 1915 it was reconstructed by "Tholambugolle Korala"
When create these statues they were using clay, mattel and
bricks as row materials.
There are eleven statues including in this shrine. One of the statue
length 30 feets of sleeping type likewise 5 statues of standing
type and 5 statues are sitting type among the standing of
statues two are with "head of Cobra". (Naipena)

Oblation Time ( Ceremony)


It will be held on three times for day.
Early Morning 6.00am
Morning 10.30am
Evening 6.00pm
while this processing the
"Pooja" all doors will be closed.
(15 Minutes)