Location: Dambulla
Top Things to do in Dambulla
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The 10 Best Things to do in Dambulla, Central Province
Dambulla (Sinhalese: දඹුල්ල Dam̆bulla, Tamil: தம்புள்ளை Tampuḷḷai) is a large town, situated in the Matale District, Central Province of Sri Lanka, situated 148 km (92 mi) north-east of Colombo and 72 km (45 mi) north of Kandy. Due to its location at a major junction, it is the centre of vegetable distribution in the country.
Restaurants in Dambulla
1. Ederagala Wana Senasuna
2. Golden Temple of Dambulla
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,708 reviews
Reviewed By PennyScudamore
Best done with a guide to tell you all about the history and explain what you are seeing. All-in-all very impressive. Practical notes: it is a long climb up many stone steps to get there, so take plenty of water and wear good shoes. For the temples, ladies must cover their shoulders and legs, and everyone must take off their shoes - take a pair of socks with you if not already wearing them, as some of the pavings are outdoors and red hot!
3. Popham's Arboretum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 157 reviews
The IFS-Popham Arboretum, Sri Lanka's only dry zone arboretum was established over five decades ago on 7.5 acres of thorny scrub jungle and abandoned 'Chena' land in Dambulla which is in the geographical center of our island, where history and culture merge amidst a natural landscape of water and mountains. The arboretum is not only about trees. There and many species of Birds, Butterflies, Dragonflies, Spiders and Mammals including Bats that can be seen within the premises.
Reviewed By inoshperera - Colombo, Sri Lanka
This is a must-visit place around Dambulla for nature lovers. Many different animals inside a relatively small space. However, the yellow route we took, took around 1hour to walk. There are many places around to snap a nice photo. The caretaker is very informative. You can give a donation of your choice to help maintain the place
4. Dambulla Dedicated Economic Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By KristaTheNetherlands - Zeewolde, The Netherlands
The vegetables and fruits wholesale market: if you wonder what they grow and sell in Sri Lanka, stroll this market. You'll find all types of fruits and vegetables here. Cleaned and packed for transport. Also: watch all traffic in and around the market as everybody will come to this market at least once a week.
5. Dambulla Royal Cave Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By Kai_Wah - Malaysia, null
It is also known as Golden Temple of Dambulla with impressive collections of Buddha statues and wall paintings since 1st century and the wall was repainted since 18th century in Kandy Kingdom. Entrance fee of LKR1,500 per person and LKR25 for shoe storage. Proper attire is a must and security check before entry to the temple. One of the must visit cultural site in Sri Lanka with great representation of the Cave Temple culture for Buddhism/ Hinduism where is the most well-preserved cave temple in Sri Lanka.
6. Pidurangala Royal Cave Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By DarshanaBR - Amman, Jordan
1km from sigiriya rick you can go to this cave temple (hiharaya). Once you climb the pidurangala rock you will come across this. This is old as 1-2 BC, but this was properly built by king kashshapa (473-495 AC). The place was a buddhist monastery. According to the history king kashshapa requested the monks to move to this place as he wanted to build sigiriya. This is just as very small version of dambulla cave temple.
7. Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium
8. Ibbankatuwa Megalithic Tombs
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By dilashdesilva - Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka
ancient burial side along the main road . Well maintained . Small museum . Well preserved stone tombs .
9. Rangiri Dambullu Maha Viharaya
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 38 reviews
The Turm “Rangiri’ came after gold coating done by King Nissankamalla(1187-1196). Still can observe the remains of the gold coat in some statues. King Maha Vijayaba(1056-1114),King Wikrama Bhahu(1360-1374) 5th Buwaneka Bhahu(1374-1408),King 1st Vimala Dharma Sooriya(1592-1604),King Senarath (1604-1635),King 2nd Vimala Dharma Sooriya(1687-1707),King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe(1747-1782)and King Rajadhi
Reviewed By srilankansafetour - Kirindiwela, Sri Lanka
On your way to Sigiriya, it is worth stopping over at Dambulla to catch a glimpse of these wonderful cave temples, ironwood forest and rose quartz mountain. This temple was built in the 1st century BC, by King Valagamba. Mahawansa (old book) says about invasion of seven Tamils from South India in Vlagamba’s reign, (103 BC). The king was unable to fight against them so he fled. Driven out of Anuradhapura by Tamil and remained in exile for 14 years. He came to Dambulla and took refuge in the cave for 14 years. In the meantime he collected an army and went back to Anuradhapura and regained the throne and his second reign was (89-77BC). After regaining the power the king wanted to show his gratitude to the temple. He converted this cave into an interior carved beautiful Buddhist temple. Before the valagamba’s arrival, this cave was donated to the Buddhist monks as dwelling place by king Saddhatissa (137-119 BC).Under the drip ledge of the main cave there is a Brahmi letter inscription. Many other King added to it later and by the 11th century, the caves had become a major religious place. King Nissankamalla gilded the caves and added about 70 Buddha statues in 1190 AD. During the 18th century, belong to kandyan period. This complex of the cave at Dambilla is one of the most impressive Buddhist temples in the world with its great number of Buddha statues and more than 20,000 feet paintings.Todat Dambulla is a world heritage site declared by UNESCO in 1991.
