Diary Entry
After three days in the city, we’ve had enough of the noise and hustle and bustle. Although Kandy isn’t particularly big, there is still a lot of traffic. We have fond memories of the city and its people as we continue our journey in a shuttle taxi that we spontaneously organized using the “Pick Me” app.
The next destination will be the famous Lion Rock of Sigiriya. But there is already a lot to see on the way!
There is a lot to see on the overland journey to Sigiriya!
We pass through the town of Matale, which is also very busy. Apparently there is an important Hindu festival taking place these days. James, our driver, tells us that there were a lot of people dancing in the streets here last night. It’s a shame we missed that.
The hindu festival in Matale
Nevertheless, we get out and look at the large temple of Sri Muthumari Amman Kovil, where many believers pray even during the day and police control entry.
Too bad, I would have loved to be here at night and see the people dancing
Toque monkeys are never far away!
A little later we also drive through the town of Dumballa. It is mealtime and our lion cub needs something to eat. We also need a cool drink in the heat. Besides lunch and curious monkeys who want it, this town also has famous Buddha caves. In the heat, none of the ladies want to climb the mountain with me to see this wonder. So they take a break and climb up.
The entrance fee is 2,000 LKR, which is about 6 EUR (as of 2024). Again, I have to bring a scarf to cover my knees and shorts. At the entrance, I can receive flowers in exchange for a donation, which I can give to Buddha.
The toque monkeys also roam around the forest around the temple and in the temple itself. They have no respect and ignore every prohibition sign!
The view is worth the climb!
These caves seem to be on the agenda of most tourist offices. Lots of buses arrive and next to me there are lots of English, Austrian, Russian, German, Indian and Chinese people sweating as they try to climb the stairs.
It is unbearably hot. The rock absorbs the heat and walking barefoot over the bare stone is very painful. I hop like a monkey myself, albeit from shadow to shadow, until I reach the entrance to the caves.
I am immediately impressed by the caves. The rock is covered with frescoes. Large and small Buddhas, colorful and monochrome, stand in rows on the walls. Stupas have been built next to them. Who knows what they contain?
152 Buddhas
Golden Temple of Dambulla
The Dambulla Cave Temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, is a World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka and is located in the central part of the country. Dambulla is the largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka and dates back to the first century BC. The rock rises 160 m above the surrounding plains. There are more than 80 documented caves in the area.
This temple complex has five caves beneath a huge overhanging rock, with a drip channel carved into the cave to keep the interior dry.
In 1938, the architecture was embellished with arched colonnades and gabled entrances. Inside the caves, the ceilings are painted with intricate patterns of religious images that follow the contours of the rock. There are images of the Lord Buddha and the Bodhisattvas, as well as various gods and goddesses.
The Dambulla Cave Monastery is still in operation and remains the best preserved ancient building in Sri Lanka.
I visit all five caves with their Buddhas. Then it’s time for me to return.
This evening we will reach the Lion Rock of Sigiriya.
