Dambulla Cave Temple, also known as the Golden Cave Temple of Dambulla, a world heritage site declared by UNISCO, is in the central part of Sri Lanka near Sigiriya in Matale district. Atop this vast isolated rock mass towering 160m is the country’s largest and best-preserved cave temple complex. This rock temple dates back to the 1st century BC and the Dambulla caves are said to have sheltered King Valagamba (also known as Vattagamini Abhaya) during his 14-year exile from Anuradhapura.
When Valagamba regained the throne, he built the most magnificent of rock temples on the island. There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding. The main attractions are spread over five caves, which contain statues and paintings related to Lord Buddha. The first cave has the largest 14 meter long, colossal figure of the recumbent Buddha carved out of the rock. There are total of 153 Buddha statues, 3 statues of Sri Lankan kings and 4 statues of gods and goddesses. The later 4 include two statues of Hindu gods, god Vishnu and god Ganesh. The murals, covers an area of 2,100 square meters. Depictions on the walls of the caves include Buddha's temptation by Mara (demon) and Buddha's first sermon..Its rock ceiling is one large sweep of colorful frescoes, some of which dates back to over 2,000 years, which depicts Buddhist mythology, and the tales of the Buddha's previous births.
The inscription outside the caves describe the donations done by King Nissankamalla in Polonnaruwa kingdom. Now this temple belong to the Asgiriya chapter of Siamese sector, the main monastery in the Kandy.