Dambulla, situated in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, is best known for its rock temple complex that has been in use for over two thousand years. The Dambulla Cave Temple, also called the Golden Temple of Dambulla, is made up of five caves carved into a granite outcrop, filled with over 150 Buddha statues and intricate wall paintings. These caves were first used by King Valagamba in the 1st century BCE as a refuge during exile, and later transformed into a sacred site. The largest cave, Maharaja Vihara, holds a 14-meter-long reclining Buddha and statues of gods and kings who supported the monastery through the centuries.

Visitors often begin their ascent in the early morning to avoid the midday sun and to observe the quiet surroundings as local pilgrims arrive. The route to the top is lined with long-tailed macaques and views of the surrounding plains. From the cave entrance, on clear days, one can see the distant rock fortress of Sigiriya, another UNESCO World Heritage Site located just 20 kilometers away. Despite its popularity, the Dambulla caves maintain an atmosphere of stillness, especially in the less-visited chambers where candlelight flickers against 18th-century murals.

Just outside the temple complex is the Golden Temple, a more recent addition marked by a large golden Buddha seated on a lion throne. Below it, the museum holds replicas of Buddhist artifacts and visual timelines that show how the temple evolved under various rulers. While it’s easy to focus on the spiritual and historical elements, Dambulla also functions as a modern trade hub. Its wholesale vegetable market buzzes with activity from pre-dawn until evening, as farmers from across the region bring produce to be sorted, sold, and shipped across Sri Lanka.