Dambulla

It is the largest of all the caves of the Golden Temple, with a length of 52 meters and a height of 7 meters. In it you can see several figures of Buddha, as well as other gods such as Vishnu and Saman. There are about 15 standing Buddha statues and 40 sitting ones. Also notable are the murals on the wall, which show the history of the country and were painted in the 5th century. In this cave you can also see a dagoba, Buddhist structures within which relics are kept and where pilgrims come to meditate. .

Also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. It is a cave complex with temples inside, dating back to the 1st century BC, and is the largest and best-preserved of its kind in Sri Lanka. The rock rises 160 meters above the surrounding plains. There are over 80 documented caves in the area. The main attraction is five caves containing statues and paintings. These paintings and statues are related to the Buddha and his life. There are a total of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings, and four statues of gods and goddesses. The latter four are statues of Hindu gods: Vishnu and Ganesha. The murals cover an area of 2,100 square meters. The paintings on the cave walls include the temptation of Buddha by the demon Mara and Buddha's first sermon. The Dambulla Cave Monastery is still in operation and remains the best-preserved ancient building in Sri Lanka. This complex dates back to the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, when it was already established as one of the largest and most important monasteries.