Dambulla is a town situated in the north of Matale District, in Sri Lanka’s Central Province.
Located 20 km south of Habarana and 55 km north of Matale, Dambulla is steeped in history with a treasure trove of historical monuments with a modern-day commercial town which houses Sri Lanka’s largest vegetable distribution market.
The major attraction in the city is the well-preserved cave temples. History denotes that the caves in the city provided King Valagamba refuge during his 14 years of exile from the Anuradhapura Kingdom following the infiltration of the invaders from India . It also mentions that the meditating monks in the cave protected the king from his enemies.
When King Valagamba (Vattagamani Abhaya) regained the throne in Anuradapura, he remembered the place that sheltered him and, out of gratitude, built the magnificent rock temple at Dambulla which is today declared as a UNESCO World heritage site.
This ancient Buddhist site which dates back to the 1st century BCE is the largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The five major caves located under an overhanging rock are scattered in two clusters with over 150 stunning Buddha statues including a few Sri Lankan kings, gods and goddesses. The intricate cave paintings, serene statues of Buddha are considered to be the finest storehouse of Sinhala art and sculpture. The spiritual and serene atmosphere and strong energy transcends the aesthetic value making it an ideal place of worship.
This sprawling national park with its vast renovated rain water irrigation tank is a 50-minute drive from the Dambulla town. The Minneriya park which is a major Elephant corridor connects the Kaudulla and Wagamuwa National parks and is certainly a must visit especially for those who love seeing the largest land mammal the Elephant. Considered one of the best places to witness wild elephants throughout the year, the beautiful park is a nature lovers delight. Jeep safaris through the dense forest are exciting and lead the visitors to the Minneriya water tank where hundreds of elephants gather especially during the dry season (April-October) to drink water. This spectacular site is termed the “Elephant Gathering” and is considered one of the largest congregation of Elephants in one location. Early morning safaris are recommended for bird viewings while late afternoon trips are best for elephant sightings.
Located on the Dambulla –Kandalama Road is Sri Lanka’s only dry zone Arboretum which is a paradise highly recommended for nature lovers. An amazing spectrum of exotic Trees, Birds, Butterflies, Dragonflies and Mammals can be observed in their natural habitat in this man-made forest. Sam Popham, an Englishman with a love for trees, created the arboretum in 1963 on seven and a half acres of scrub jungle and subsequently gifted it to the Institute of Fundamental Studies (IFS) Kandy which added another 27 acres of shrub jungle.
The landscape is simply breathtaking with quaint wooden bridges, lush greenery, accompanied by the chirping of a variety of fascinating birds. In addition to the bird life there are a number of animals such as the spotted deer, wild boar, porcupine, Mouse Deer, Blacked Nape hare, Rock squirrels and the rare and elusive Slender Loris which is endemic to Sri Lanka.
The Hurulu Forest Reserve originally created as a biosphere, is a thriving ecosystem recommended to enjoy nature in its pristine form. Located around 45 minutes from Dambulla the reserve was primarily built to protect the large herds of migratory wild elephants which move between Minneriya , Kaudualla , Wasgamuwa and Hurulu Forest Reserve, it is a prime location for a Safari .
It is a prime location for a safari as in addition to the Elephants you can spot the jackal, spotted deer, tufted gray langur and toque macaque in this dry evergreen forest. There is also a variety of birds including Indian roller, Sri Lanka jungle fowl, Indian peafowl, blue-tailed and green bee-eaters. Raptors such as changeable hawk eagle, crested serpent eagle and shikra.
Considered a rare attraction, the largest Na Tree (Ironwood) forest in Asia with its pink or rose Quartz mountains (largest in Asia) is one of the most unique and beautiful places in Dambulla ideal for hikes. It is located around 16 km north of Dambulla.
Although this natural heaven gained popularity only 15 years ago it has a history of more than 1000 years. According to archeological research, the pink quartz in the mountain has a history of more than 550 million years. There is a popular belief amongst the villagers that the heat emanating from this area and the springs of the mountains can cure various diseases. Unfortunately, the colour of the mountains has discoloured due to constant contact with the foot and the surface layer being digested and exposed to intense sun and water for a long time. Even though the surface of the mountain has disappeared, it has been found to be purple within 1-2 feet. At the top of the hill is a pink statue of the Buddha.
It is recorded that the Na or ironwood forest served as an ancient asylum where several iron wood trees have been planted in a systematic and orderly manner indicating that it is planted by humans. The park area is known to consist of archaeological ruins of a monastery of the Anuradhapura period which was inhabited by monks, an abandoned palace, plant fossil deposits and a diverse wildlife. With its rising popularity, the park is set to be one of the most visited places in Dambulla after the Dambulla cave temple.
King Dappula who reigned in Anuradhapura in the 7th Century BC declared the forest of Namal Uyana an asylum. Anyone fleeing enemies or even criminal punishment legally ordered by the king was entitled to sanctuary in this remote forest of Namal Uyana, under the condition of respecting the rule and jurisdiction of the Buddhist monks.
Located around 20 km from the city center of Dambulla, the Arangala Mountain Peak is one of the most popular hiking spots for adventure seekers. The mountain consists of three peaks with the highest reaching 750 km above sea level. It enables hikers to explore this mountain range as there are plenty of trails, paths and camping zones. The start of the trek is somewhat challenging due to rocks and uncommon paths. However, eventually it’s a great experience and one of the best to undertake in the area. The hike takes around 3 hours and should not be undertaken during rainy periods.
The name Kaludiya Pokuna means pond with black water. It is the largest of the three ponds located in the Mihintale area. The pond gets its name as a result of the reflections of trees and shrubs from the adjacent forests. The location is a rich bio diverse area with various endemic and non-endemic types of flora and fauna. It bears signs of being one of the earliest hydraulic civilizations of the Sinhalese kingdom.
The pond is surrounded by the remains of a stupa and monastery. Remains of an ‘aarama ’or area to house meditating monks can be seen near the Kaludiya Pokuna Tts serenity and beauty is truly captivating . A cave is also found in the vicinity of the pond, and it is excellent for hiking and also meditating for those who are more spiritually inclined. Another popular historical attraction named “Rajagiri Lena” is located nearby.
Some of the other attractions are
The Buddhist Museum and the Museum of wall paintings , Pidurutalaga Rock for those interested in adventure, Dambulla Economic Centre for local bustle
Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
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