Dubbed ‘The Rock Temple’, the Golden Temple of Dambulla is seen as an integral section of the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka. The temple which is found in the agriculture rich city of Dambulla can easily be reached from any of the Sri Lanka hotels that are strewn about nearby. Heritance Kandalama is one such Sri Lanka hotel which provides good accommodation to all those seeking to travel to this imposing yet serene rock temple.
The temple was declared as a World Heritage Site in the year 1991 and continues to warm the hearts of not just the devotees but foreign nationals as well. Having built a reputation as a scenic tourist hotspot, the temple is filled with beautiful paintings of Lord Buddha, various other deities and wooden figures of Bodhisattvas. Dating back to the 1st Century BC, the Golden Temple of Dambulla would greet visitors by making them pass under the golden statuette of the Buddha himself. However it is the five caves that would hold greater value. Here one would encounter finely crafted murals, statues of kings, gods and goddesses too. The archaeological features of this shrine have been preserved through the centuries and one must take great care when inspecting every piece that is found within its hallowed premises.
Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Caliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered.Google+