Photo Essay: Golden Temple Of Dambulla, Sri Lanka

Bright skies ahead, despite the heavy downpour in the wee hours. I savored the crisp morning breeze as our tuktuk, driven by a local named Wimala, dashed towards the bus terminal. I was afloat with an insane surge of energy, perhaps because I just showered away the last seventy-two transit hours. Yep, my last bath was five cities and three time zones ago.

We were to catch yet another suicidal bus ride to the Golden Temple of Dambulla. A UNESCO World Heritage Site cave temple complex that dates back to the 1st century BC. The cave's ceiling paintings were waiting to blow us away.

See how half of that day (in April last year) went before we rushed to our third Sri Lanka heritage site, Sigiriya. And before we were ripped off in a roadside cafeteria.

UNESCO World Heritage Site Golden Temple of Dambulla.

The Golden Buddha Statue.

Panoramic view of the surrounding plains.

Easy hike up.

No shoes beyond this point.

Pilgrims shuffling to and fro.

Waiting for the temple to reopen. For some reason, visitors were asked to leave and come back after fifteen minutes.

Yes, this monolithic Buddha fits inside the cave.

Well preserved paintings on the cave's ceiling.

Buddhas carved out of massive rocks.

Not-So Refreshingly Sri Lanka (and it's all my fault) Series:

Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka: Ruins Of An Ancient Capital
Temple of The Tooth
The Kandy House
Not-So Refreshingly Sri Lanka
How To Apply For A Sri Lanka Tourist Visa In The Philippines

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35 comments:

Doc Wends of Journeys and Travels said... May 9, 2012 at 1:14 PM: OMG, ang ganda ng temple na to. I hope I can get myself here and relish the peace and serenity you also experienced Gay.

:)
Pinay Travel Junkie said... May 9, 2012 at 1:16 PM: Go na po doc! PLUS India :)
ken | fullpacked.com said... May 9, 2012 at 2:07 PM: wow..amazing..
mukhang peaceful ang place..
the she-wolf said... May 10, 2012 at 12:58 AM: i wanna visit!!!
Mary R said... May 10, 2012 at 4:36 AM: you gotta love those suicidal bus rides, but in this case, it was WORTH it! Love the atmosphere of your blog and your travel philosophy. I'm subscibing.
Pinay Travel Junkie said... May 10, 2012 at 7:17 AM: It was indeed worth it Mary :) Muchas gracias for subscribing!
Mary @ The World Is A Book said... May 10, 2012 at 2:54 PM: Gorgeous pictures, Gay! Those buddhas and the cave are absolutely amazing. I haven't seen many pictures of Sri Lanka but this changes my perception of the country. Definitely worth the suicidal bus trip =)
Pinay Travel Junkie said... May 10, 2012 at 3:02 PM: I love Sri Lanka for it's like a little India, except, there are less women in saris.
Riz said... May 12, 2012 at 3:23 AM: Whoa!!! What a stunning view!!! Wanna follow your footsteps gay!! Idol!!!
Pordoy Palaboy said... May 12, 2012 at 9:55 AM: stunning frescos on the caves ceiling! at talagang na preserved nila ito.
Pinoy Adventurista said... May 12, 2012 at 2:51 PM: ganda ng temple... wahhhhh!!! you're everywhere! cheers for more Gay!!! :)
Unknown said... May 12, 2012 at 2:59 PM: napapa-wow naman ako dito sa pictures mo! inggit ako. hehe
Mitch said... May 12, 2012 at 4:13 PM: Larger than life ang mga statues esp. the monolithic statue inside. Very interesting to visit for.. Kaso Sri Lanka? hehe cant afford.
Kara said... May 12, 2012 at 9:28 PM: Nice place! Love your blogs, inspiring! Hope i can do RTW soooon too! =)
Theonoski said... May 13, 2012 at 6:22 PM: awesome pic! di ba mahirap maglakad ng barefoot especially if you're outside the temple?
Pinay Travel Junkie said... May 14, 2012 at 1:38 PM: Ahihi, thanks Riz :)
Pinay Travel Junkie said... May 14, 2012 at 1:41 PM: Mitch, Sri Lanka's cheappp! Flights from KL-Colombo via Air Asia is on sale sometimes.
Pinay Travel Junkie said... May 14, 2012 at 1:44 PM: Kara, thanks for the visit!

Theo, I love being barefoot! Kahit nakakapaso cement, super rampa ako ;p
David Pascht said... May 14, 2012 at 2:21 PM: Wow amazing temple!!
Unknown said... May 14, 2012 at 2:51 PM: Kaaliw naman yung Buddha inside the cave. I was actually offered to work here in Sri Lanka last year but decline it. Maganda din pala dyan.:)
Pinay Travel Junkie said... May 14, 2012 at 5:05 PM: ^^ It is beautiful, and the people are warm :)
Mhie @ Travelentz said... May 14, 2012 at 11:15 PM: wow, This is impressive, never pa ako nakapunta sa Sri Lanka.Ang ganda pala,I have to put in my bucket list. Pahaba ng pahaba ang bucket list ko:)
Pinay Travel Junkie said... May 15, 2012 at 6:42 AM: Haha! Me too Mhie! My bucket list keeps getting longer :)
RIZALENIO said... May 15, 2012 at 7:19 PM: Breathtaking as always. You will pass for a travel show host, PTJ. Everytime I see FUN TAIWAN show in TLC, the host reminds me of you. :)
Pinay Travel Junkie said... May 15, 2012 at 7:48 PM: Aww, thanks Lito! Have not watched that show, but will definitely check it out.
Jovial Wanderer said... May 16, 2012 at 2:51 PM: ang ganda naman!
Pinay Travel Junkie said... May 16, 2012 at 2:52 PM: Tin! Adam's Peak next year?!
Nortehanon said... May 17, 2012 at 12:26 PM: Not really fond of traveling abroad but I have to admit I am green with envy because, if I will travel abroad, Bhutan is one of the places I'd visit (as well as Laos and Nepal). Hayan tuloy, nagising and akin itchy feet lol :)
Bonzenti | Con Tour Blog said... May 20, 2012 at 8:08 AM: one of the practices in Buddhism that I've observed is no wearing of shoes or whatsoever when you are entering a holy house or even your friend's house. :-).
melo : out of town blog said... May 21, 2012 at 9:49 AM: Wow... ganda ng temple! i just added this place on my bucket list:)
Pinay Travel Junkie said... May 22, 2012 at 1:55 AM: Melo, your blog posts make me add sooo much destinations to my bucket list.
Cisco said... May 23, 2012 at 9:01 PM: Very nice temple!
Spencer said... May 30, 2012 at 11:27 AM: I have heard alot of good reports about Dambulla from friends who went on a cricket tour there. Might have to put it on my travel wishlist.
Mike said... June 7, 2012 at 8:02 PM: Great post. This is now officially on my to do list!
Pinay Travel Junkie said... June 7, 2012 at 9:17 PM: You'll love it Mike :)