subject: Dambulla Cave Temples - A Timeless Masterpiece [print this page] Located in the central province of Sri Lanka 148km away from Colombo, Dambulla is a city that has a strong Buddhist influence. As most of the rulers of the country embraced Buddhism as their preferred religion, many temples and shrines were constructed to strengthen Buddhism and educate people of its righteous ways. Visitors to Dambulla will find that the reputation of this city as one steeped in cultural heritage is well supported as a number of temples and shrines can be seen in various areas of the city. Dambulla is however still a growing city in terms of economic progress but is showing signs of improvement due to the increase of the number of tourists to the region.
Constructed during the course of many centuries beginning from the 1st century BC, the Dambulla Cave Temples are ancient religious shrines which were built in honor of Buddhism. These temples were declared as a World Heritage Site in 1991 by UNESCO for its architectural brilliance and historic significance. A total of five caves belong to the temple of which three are named as the Cave of the Devine King, the Cave of Great Kings and the Great New Monastery. As the remaining couple of caves were converted into shrines much earlier than the ones mentioned earlier, they have not withstood the test of time. As a result the paintings on its walls are not very clearly visible.
The shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu which is located between the Cave of the Devine King and the Cave of the Great Kings is frequented by many local and foreign visitors. The Cave of the Divine King is where you will find Brahmi inscriptions depicting the origins of the temple. This is also where the famous 14 meter long rock carving of Buddha rests among other similar statues. While the Cave of the Great Kings has 56 Buddha statues, the Great New Monetary is decorated with remarkable ceiling paintings which were influenced by Kandyan style drawings.
Jetwing Vil Uyana comes across as a favorable accommodation option for travelers to the region. Offering a host of modern facilities and amenities, this Sigiriya hotel caters to the needs of both the corporate and leisure traveler. Jetwing Vil Uyana is a reputed hotel in Sigiriya which is also known for offering its guests outstanding service and sensational dining options.
