The Golden Temple of Dambulla also known as the Dambulla Cave Temples was declared as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1991 due to its historical, archeological and artistic value.

The Dambulla Cave Temple is one of the main attraction and well -preserved caves in Asia which is situated in the central part of the country from148 kilometers east of Colombo and it's easily accessible from Kandy and Matale. There are around 153 absolutely stunning Buddha statues, some paintings of Gods and Goddesses and three statues of Sri Lankan Kings spread over five caves. The paintings were first created here over 2000 years ago by King Valagamba and thereafter subsequent kings including King Nissanaka Malla added to it and embellished the cave art. Sigiriya can be seen from Dambulla cave Temple and from the cave there are admirable views over the surrounding countryside too. The process of creating new artwork and retouching the original continued into the 20th century as well. The paintings in these caves and over the seiling are the best attractions which showcase the artistic abilities of the people in the past. A walk through the caves and surroundings will bring you a very memorable experience.

The climb of the Dambulla Cave Temple will take approximately 30-45 minutes and can be done at a leisurely pace. There are only around 200 steps to climb up, since it’s a sacred place you need to cover your knees and the shoulders to enter. Best time to visit the cave temple is in the early morning or late afternoon. Since you are not allowed to wear shoes please make sure to wear socks for your convenience.