Dambulla Rock Temple

Overview: Dambulla is a vast isolated rock mass 500 ft high and a mile round the base. The famous rock temple dates back to the first century B.C. It sheltered the king during his 14 years of exile. Above 350 ft are a series of cave - shrines. The first cave holds a recumbent image of the Buddha 47ft long carved out of the rock, 150 life - size statues of gods and a ceiling covered with frescoes.