OFF THE BEATEN PATH - DAMBULLA

 DAMBULLA 

Dambulla, Sri Lanka, is an often forgotten destination and for the most part, remains off the tourist trail. Most travelers aren't even familiar with the city of Dambulla, aside from the Dambulla Cave Temple. This is due, in part, to the fact that many choose to remain in Sigiriya. But because Dambulla is a true Sri Lankan city, it provides a more genuine experience. There are hundreds of local restaurants to try, and the streets are bustling. Apart from that, however, Dambulla offers an abundance of activities.

History of Dambulla 

It is believed that people first settled in the region between the seventh and third centuries BC. These caves contain paintings and statues from the first century BC. However, in the 11th, 12th, and 18th centuries AD, the statues and paintings underwent repairs and repaintings. During his 14-year banishment from the Anuradhapura kingdom, King Valagamba (also known as Vattagamini Abhaya) found sanctuary in the city's caves. The exiled king was shielded from his enemies at that time by Buddhist monks who were meditating in the Dambulla cave system. In appreciation for the Dambulla monks, King Valagamba had a magnificent rock temple constructed at Dambulla when he reclaimed the throne at Anuradapura kingdom in the first century BC.

Scientific analysis of prehistoric human skeletons from the Ibbankatuwa Prehistoric burial site near Dhambulla revealed that they were 2700 years old, providing evidence of local civilizations existing long before Buddhism arrived in Sri Lanka. Archaeological research has revealed evidence of agricultural habitation in this region dating back more than 2700 years. 750 B.C. During the late 10th and early 11th centuries, it was ruled by kings such as Raja Raja Chola and Rajendra Chola, and was formerly known as Dhamballai.

Location: In the province of North Central, Dambulla is situated 148 kilometers northeast of Colombo.

Transportation hub at Dambulla: 72 kilometers north of Kandy, Dambulla is a significant intersection where the Kandy Anuradhapura Road and the Colombo Trincomalee Road converge, with each route then continuing on to its respective destination. The spacious bus station in Dambulla serves as a transportation hub, with buses going to Kurunagala, Habarana, Kandy, and the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, and Anuradhapura.

Dambulla Town: Several decades ago, Dambulla was a small village. However, thanks to the diligent farming practices of the local farmers, the town has grown into a thriving modern market town and commercial center.

About Matale District

Matale is a town in Sri Lanka's hill country. One of Matale's unique landmarks is the Knuckles Mountain Range.Aluvihare Temple, Dambulla Cave Temple, and the historic Sigiriya rock castle are all located in the Matale administrative district. The Wiltshire foothills, also known as the Knuckles, encircle the town. It is mostly an agricultural region with a strong emphasis on the production of tea, rubber, vegetables, and spices.

Things To Do In Dambulla

Once you are in Dambulla, there are plenty of things to do, such as cave exploration and a "taste" of the local way of life. Let's begin the virtual tour to discover the history embedded in this location.

1.Dambulla Cave Temple

2.Golden Buddha Temple 

3.Sigiriya Rock

4.Minneriya National Park

5.Pidurangala Rock

6.Traditional Foods 

7.Ballooning from Dambulla 

1. Dambulla cave temple 

Located in the heart of Dambulla, the Royal Rock Temples, also called the Dambulla Cave Temples, are historic Buddhist temples. The temple itself provides breathtaking views of the surroundings and is situated 160 meters above the plains.

There are five caves that you can explore that make up the temple's main area. The Buddha statues and historic paintings that adorn each section date back to the first century BC when the caves were originally built. To be honest, it was a historical and religious sight that left me speechless. This is without a doubt the most well-liked attraction in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, and it makes sense after exploring the grounds on my own. It takes about 15 minutes to hike to the top, which is not too difficult. From there, hike down the other side to the Golden Temple, which is the next location on this list.

2. Golden Buddha Temple 

You should trek down after touring the Dambulla Cave Temples to see one of the largest Buddha statues I have ever seen. It turns out that this Buddha is the largest in this posture and that the gold plating is genuine. Surrounded by elephants and other artwork and statues, the Golden Buddha is situated above the Buddha museum. You can reach the base of the Buddha by walking up the side of the museum from the ground floor. Seeing the statue is totally free and worthwhile, especially after seeing the Dambulla Cave Temples. As previously stated, the Buddha Museum is located beneath the Golden Buddha. It’s a very small museum that holds old artifacts and statues of Buddha. 

3. Sigiriya Rock 

Sigiriya and Dambulla go hand in hand, so to speak. This offers numerous photo opportunities for the traveler in you and is another UNESCO World Heritage site. This location, which is only 17 kilometers from Dambulla, is one of Sri Lanka's most important historical sites. Perched atop a volcanic plateau is the magnificent rock fortress. It completely justifies the claim made by many locals that it is the eighth wonder of the world. The main door is shaped like a massive pair of lion feet. The enormous structure is surrounded by lush, landscaped gardens, water features, and the ruins of a fortress, which all serve to accentuate the rock's natural beauty. The cave itself contains prehistoric frescoes and a mirror wall. Not to mention the breathtaking views from the top.

4.Minneriya National Park 

Visiting Minneriya National Park, one of the nation's best-kept secrets, is one of the things to do near Dambulla. The drive from Dambulla takes only 50 minutes, and the visit is well worth it. Experience one of the exhilarating jeep safaris offered by this eco park. If you're lucky, you might come across the largest herd of Asian elephants.

 The Minneriya Tank, constructed by King Mahasena in the third century AD, is one of the park's focal points. Elephant herds usually congregate in this tank to bathe and graze during the dry season, which runs from June to September. It's quite the show. It will be an incredibly wild experience and a haven for animal lovers.

5. Piduruthalagala Rock

Due to its uniqueness and historical significance, Sigiriya Rock attracts tourists from all over the world. Pidurangala Rock is well worth the climb and is located next to the Sigiriya. Being marginally lower than Sigiriya, Pidurangala offers a stunning perspective of Sigiriya and is a well-known location to watch the sunrise.

6.Traditional Food 

This government-run establishment has the local culture literally on the tip of your tongue. You have a fantastic opportunity to indulge your inner traveler and sample some of the traditional cuisine that this charming town has to offer. They serve specialties like belimal flower tea, narang kewum (fried coconut and honey ball), and pittu (steamed rice flower patty with savoury sauce) that you might not find anywhere else. It's a win-win situation because you get to sample this lovely town's award-winning cuisine 

7. Ballooning from Dambulla

Dambulla, a town in Sri Lanka's Central Province with many picturesque locations, is a significant city that showcases many historical masterpieces. A hot air balloon ride at sunrise will allow you to see some of the most magical parts of the island because of the calm, hot weather and midland geography of the area. The best time to go is early in the morning, but hot air balloon rides are contingent upon favorable weather.

Accomodations in Dambulla

Heritance Kandalama 

Jetwing Vil Uyana

Lake Lodge Kandalama

Sustainability of Dambulla

Sri Lanka has taken several steps to support sustainable tourism in the country. Furthermore, new criteria for ensuring that new tourism projects meet sustainability standards, such as those requiring renewable energy, recycling, and zero single-use plastic, are being developed. Sri Lanka Tourism has taken steps to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.

Authorities recognize that encouraging sustainable tourism is critical to increasing the destination's competitiveness and positively positioning Sri Lanka as a visitor's preferred tourism destination. As global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution threaten the future of travel, Sri Lanka Tourism has been considering how to manage local challenges to protect the global sector. If Dambulla adapt  with the sustainable tourism development goals in Srilanka Dambulla will be positioned as a best tourist destination in future 

According to UNESCO World Heritage report,

Facotors affecting the property in 2023 

Changes in traditional ways of life and knowledge system

Impacts of tourism / visitor / recreation

Management systems/ management plan

Pests

Ritual / spiritual / religious and associative uses

Water (rain/water table)

Other Threats:

Continued deterioration of the paintings; General deterioration of the Golden Temple

Dambulla offers you a cultural tour of this lovely old town in addition to being home to numerous architectural marvels. With so much to do in Dambulla, your inner history nerd must be itching to see this side of the globe. Thus, arrange a trip to Dambulla now.

References 

         Dambulla (2023) Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dambulla#:~:text=7%20External%20links-,History,12th%2C%20and%2018th%20century%20AD. (Accessed: 15 November 2023).

          Destinationlesstravel (2023) 10 best things to do in Dambulla, Sri Lanka (and City Guide!), Destinationless Travel. Available at: https://destinationlesstravel.com/things-to-do-in-dambulla-sri-lanka/ (Accessed: 15 November 2023).

          Centre, U.W.H. (no date) UNESCO World Heritage Centre - State of Conservation (SOC 2023) Rangiri Dambulla Cave temple (sri lanka), UNESCO World Heritage Centre - State of Conservation (SOC 2023) Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple (Sri Lanka). Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/soc/4433 (Accessed: 15 November 2023).

Written by : Mathu