Dambulla Caves and Pidurangala Rock

In the morning we did head 4h from Colombo to the Dambulla Cave Temple, a World Heritage Site. A steep hike up to the temple and then we were able to see the 5 caves. The five caves which have been converted into shrine rooms, images of the Buddha and over 1,500 ceiling murals. The caves are at the base of a 150m high rock built by King Valagambahu who took refuge in it when exiled from Anuradhapura in the 1st century BC. When he reclaimed the capital he turned these caves into a rock temple as a thank-you offering. Over the centuries that followed further improvements were made including one by King Nissankamalla who gilded the inside of the temple, earning it the name Ran Giri (Golden Rock) and added 70 statues of the Buddha in the 12th century.
This temple is by far the most impressive of the many cave temples found in Sri Lanka and is considered the best preserved and the largest in the island. A very impressive site. Reminded me of the Mogao Caves on the Silk Road in China. But the ones in Dambulla were much bigger.
Next day we climbed up the Pidurangala Rock. Was a 45 mins hike, especially the last part was acrobatic climbing where we had to be very careful. But the view from the top was outstanding especially towards Sigiriya Rock. The mountain has ruins of the old cave monastery of Pidurangala Great Royal Temple which sprawls over a vast 13.5 acres and is said to have once given sanctuary to over 500 meditating monks.
On our way to Kandy did we stop in Matale to have a short visit at the Hindu temple Sri Muthumari Amman Kovil. The Sri Muthumari Amman Temple is dedicated to Mariamman, who is believed to be the goddess of rain and fertility. In that name, the prefix ‘Muthu’ means pearl, ‘Mari’ means rain, and ‘Amman’ means mother in Tamil.
From there we reached Kandy, our place for the next 2 nights.Read more