The Golden Cave Temple of Dambulla is the largest and the best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. It towers above 160m in height over the Dambulla plains. King Valagamba of Anuradhapura (103 – 77 BC), who was exiled from Anuradhapura, sought refuge at the monastery from South Indian invasion for 15 years. Once he reclaimed his throne, he sponsored the construction and maintenance of the cave temple complex. 5 Out of the 80 documented caves are decorated with paintings and statues from the Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandy era. A total of 153 Buddha statues, 3 statues of Sri Lankan kings and 4 statues of gods and goddesses including Vishnu and Ganesh can be seen here. The frescos cover an area of 2100 sq. meters telling the story of the temptation by the demon Mara and first sermon of Lord Buddha. The site was recognized as a UNESCO world heritage in 1991 AD. To date the Dambulla cave monastery is functional and remains the best-protected ancient structure in Sri Lanka.
