Dambulla Area Treasures

This region has some of the most remarkable sites  in Sri Lanka:

Dambulla Cave Temples, Sigiriya Fortress,  and the ancient kingdom of Polonnaruwa

Dambulla Cave Temples:

UNESCO World Heritage; best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka; long standing pilgrammage site.

The Royal Rock Temple complex composed of five caves in this huge stone mass contains 153 Buddhas and art work from 2000 years onward, added to and retouched with care over the years.

First century BC temple created initially by the escaping king Valagamba (Great Black Lion) of the Kingdom of Anuradhapura. He was  driven out of Anduradhapura by Tamils from India for a period of 14 years before regaining his kingdom.

Interesting note: reclining Buddhas with completely parallel toes are awake or in meditation (eyes open or closed); Buddhas with toes slightly misaligned are not alive but entering nirvana upon death.

Sigiriya: The 8th Wonder of the World

Sigiriya, a famous 5th century rock fortress, is a half hour tuk tuk ride out of Dambulla.

We are advised by our homestay that it is off season now and we need not trouble ourselves in breaking our usual routine of breakfast at 9 a.m.  Still, we head off a bit earlier than usual.

The palace was located at the top with a network of gardens and reservoirs on several levels leading up.

Said to have been built due to a royal family feud; one king to save his life from his brother.

Part of the Sigiriya experience is visiting the astounding  wall frescoes from the 5th century depicting celestial nymphs, protectors of the Rock Fortress.

……….

Back at our homestay, we have a group of young Colombo cricket fans in town for a international match (Colombo vs Afghanistan) being held in Dambulla.

PS the good guys won!

Polonnaruwa: A day trip to ancient city

This kingdom was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993.

We start with visits to the Royal Place, Audience Hall and a bathing pool.

We move on to the Quadrangle Group: a raised group of structures that was the inner city: the Atadage, the Vatadage and the  Hatadage. Each was built by a different king to honour and hold the Buddha Tooth Relic.

The stone slab book called Gal Potha has inscription written in medieval Sinhala and dates back to King Nissanka Malla (12thC). On it he writes of his policies and achievements as well the duties and responsibilities of his subjects.

Shiva Devale 2 (above): the oldest structure in Polonnaruwa, built during the short period that invaders from India rule Built entirely of stone it honours the Hindu god Shiva.

Lankatilaka (below): a now headless huge brick and plaster Buddha surrounded by 17meter high walls (roof long gone).

Last stop is to see the extraordinary stone carvings of Gal Vihara cut from one slab of stunning granite.

On the way home we stop for a fruit drink in a lovely setting of rice, ready to harvest:

As we drive through elephant terrain we see a couple enjoying their bath.