The Visit to this Dambulla Royal
Cave Temple also known as Golden Temple at Dambulla in Sri Lanka was a part of
Sri Lanka’s ( Ezha Nadu ) Paadal Petra sthalangal Visit scheduled between 28th
November to 2nd December
2013. Utilising this opportunity, we have Visited some, Shiva, Murugan, Amman
Temples and Epic Ramayan associated sites of Sri Lanka.
The Dambulla Royal Cave Temple or
Golden Temple is one of the World heritage sites ( 1991 ) of Sri Lanka. As per the historians,
this Cave temple consists of natural caves, which are used by the human beings,
during prehistoric period, before the arrival of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Prehistoric burial site with human skeletons were found at Ibbankatuwa near
Dambulla.
ARCHITECTURE
This cave temple complex consists of
more than 80 Rock caves of which 5 caves are considered as important. These 5
caves has the 153 Buddha’s statues in various postures, Sri Lankan Kings, Gods
and Goddesses which includes Ganesha and Maha Vishnu and Mural Paintings depicts the story of
Gautama Buddha and the culture of Sri Lanka. The Mural paintings covers an
area of 2100 square meters.
There are two entrances to climb the
top of the hill and tickets are sold only at the south side entrance and the
other entrance is through Golden Temple. The Caves are about 150 - 160 meters
high mountains and 364 steps with landing spaces are neatly cut on the rock /
boulder to climb the top of the Hill. The steps are covered at certain points
to take rest in shade.
The caves over hanging portion are
carved with grooves, so that the rain water will not enter in to the caves. The
ceilings of the caves are painted with intricate patterns, Life story of
Buddha,
In 1938, arched Colonnades and gabled entrances are constructed. The 5 caves are separated by the
latter brick walls with single entry. The largest cave measures 52 meter on
east – west direction and 23 meters from
entrance to the back side of the cave. The highest point of the ceiling
measures 7 meters. There are about 153 Buddha statues, 3 statues of Kings and 4
Statues of Hindu Gods and Goddess including Ganesha and Maha Vishnu in the
Dambulla Cave Viharaya.
The Golden Temple of Dambulla was
constructed at the base of the hill. This temple was constructed with sweeping
Chinese roofs. This part of the temple is the 2nd entrance of the
main Dambulla caves are atop the rock.
The First Cave also called as Devaraja Lena....
A 15 meter long Buddha in reclining
posture is scooped out of mother rock. Maha Vishnu is at his head in sitting
posture and Ananda one of his disciple is at the feet. Paintings of his
disciples in anjali hastam / folded hands are on the back wall of the cave. The
Brahmi inscription is at the entrance of
this cave.
The Second Cave, Maharaja Lena or the cave of Great Kings…
This is the largest and most
significant of all the 80 and odd caves. This cave mainly comprises of paintings
in red and gold shades. Almost all the surfaces of this cave are covered with
paintings. One of the significant painting is the demon Mara trying to disturb
Buddha’s dhyana.
There are 56 statues of Buddha of
which 40 are in sitting posture and the rest are in standing posture. Along
with Buddha statues, there are two statues of the Kings Nissankamalla of
Polonnaruwa and Vattagami Abhaya of Anuradhapura, who are responsible
converting this cave as Buddha Vihara. King Nissankamalla of Polonnaruwa’s period
inscription is at the entrance of this cave.
There is a pool of water in side
this cave. The water drips from the top of the rock is collected in this pool.
Even during summer and draught, the water in the pool didn’t dried up and the
dripping of water also never stopped.
There is a small Dagoba inside this
cave. 11 Buddhas are around this Dagoba, which makes this cave as a sacred
Viharaya. In addition to this there are Hindu Statues of God and Goddesses.
Cave three – Maha Alut Viharaya....
Maha Alut Viharaya means the Great
New Monastery. The paintings in this
cave depicts the Kandy style of art, which was practiced during the reign of
the beginning of 18th century ( 1700s ) King Kirti Sri Rajasimha.
Large numbers of Buddhas in reclining postures are in this cave. There are 50
more Buddhas and the King Kirti Sri Rajasimha statues are also in the Cave. In
painting most of them are Buddhas in
sitting posture, which covers the entire ceiling.
Cave Four – Paschima Viharaya....
This is one of the smaller caves
with Buddha statues in sitting posture and blue coloured rock paintings. There
is a Small Dagoba with Buddha in sitting posture. As per the local story that
the Dagoba contains the jewellery of the Queen Somawathi, wife of King
Valagamba, the initial founder of Dambulla Cave Temple. Hence this Dagoba is called as Soma Chaitya.
In addition to this Maha Vishnu Statue is in side the cave.
Cave Five – The Devana Alut Viharaya.....
This cave was used as a store house
till 19th Century. Latter the same
was converted as a mini shrine. There are Buddhas in reclining posture
and Sitting Posture in this cave. On one
Buddha a snake hood is shown on top of
Buddha's head. This cave statues are not scooped out of mother rock, instead they are
made of stucco ie brick and plaster.
Golden Temple of Dambulla...
This is the latter addition of this
Complex at the foot hills. A Small Dagoba is also near the Golden Temple. The
Golden Temple was constructed in Chinese style. The Golden Buddha is on the top
of the temple. The hands are in Dharmachakra mudra ... Gesture of Dharma. The
Museum also functions in this Golden Temple.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The Cave monastery is functioning till date as major religious centre for Buddhists, since
established in 1st to 2nd century BCE.
As per the Brahmi inscriptions this
temple belongs to 1st Century BCE. Valagamba of Anuradhapura, the
King of Anuradhapura ( 993 CE ) is believed to be the conversion of the cave in
to monastery. He was exiled and 15 years lived as refuge in this place. After
he captured Anuradhapura, the capital of his Kingdom, converted this cave in to
a monastery as a part of Thanks giving for his prayer was fulfilled. The latter kings added more to the caves and by 11th
Century CE, the Dambulla Caves Monastery has become a major and important
religious centre, which continues till date.
The 12th Century medieval
Sinhalese inscription after the arched entrance belongs to King Nissanka Malla
period. The inscriptions records the various contributions made by the king, to
the Dambulla temple. In 1190 CE, the King Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa, had
added about 70 Buddha statues.
Latter in 18th Century,
the caves were renovated, added some Buddha statues, painted the Buddha’s life
story by the King of Kandy.
In 1938, the entrances of the each
caves are constructed with triangular
gables along with arched colonnades.
At the base of the hill, the Golden
Temple, was constructed in the 20th Century. A giant Golden Buddha
and a pagoda was added on the temple.
During
1960, protective coatings were applied to the mural paintings to avoid further
damage due to change of environment.
In
1982 – 1996, projects were carried out to improve the infrastructure
facilities, accessibility of the site in accordance with the UNESCO world
heritage Status. This involves the preservation of 18th Century
mural paintings ( retaining to the 18th century features ) to avoid further damage from the
humans and environmental damages, renovation of floors with hand cut paver
blocks, installation of modern lightings, construction of museum and other
tourist facilities.
LEGENDS
The
Kings believed that all their problems like victory in wars, to get relief from
the draught, etc, will be resolved after praying Buddha of this Dambulla Cave
Shrine. After the wishes are fulfilled the Kings contributed to the development
of this cave shrine, like addition of Sculptures, gilding the Buddha statues,
painting of the murals which depicts the life history of Buddha and Sri Lankan
Culture.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Even-though this is one of the UNESCO
heritage monument, this is a living Cave Viharaya of Buddha till date since 1st
Century BCE. All the Buddhism related celebrations are observed.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The Visiting Time is 07.00 hrs to
19.00 hrs with an entry ticket of LKR Rs 1500.
HOW TO REACH
The Dambulla Cave is about 24 KM
from Habarana, 65 KM from Anuradhapura, 71 KM from Kandy, 160 KM from Colombo.
Nearest Railway station is Habarana,
from there you can reach through local buses or by cab.
By Car from Colombo... Colombo –
Negombo – Mirigama – Badagamuwa ( vis Central Expressway ) – Galewela –
Dambulla
By Car from Kandy – Matale –
Palapathwela- Arangala- Lendola - Dambulla
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :
CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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