Dambulla in Sri Lanka is one of the popular tourist destinations in Sri Lanka. The place forms a part of the site of the Cultural Triangle declared as the World Heritage Site. The name Dumbulla owes its name from the word 'Damba' which means rocks and 'Ulla'- the fountain. You can see the drops of water falling incessantly from the fountains to the main image house in Dambulla. Tourist Attractions in Dumbulla consist of the celebrated caves of the region. There are more than 80 caves in Dambulla which are used as meditating spots by the monks. Dambulla Viharaya is one of the major Tourist Attractions in Dumbulla.
However out of the 80 caves, there are 5 caves which are must see tourist attractions as they are known for their rich treasures of statues and paintings. The caves were founded by the King Valagamba in the first century B.C. who took shelter here. Later on he carved out a rock temple amidst these caves. Further renovations and additions were made by King Nissanka Malla who gilded the interiors with gold. Since then the temple has also come to be known as Ran Giri Temple Rock.
Dambulla Viharaya is a valuable treasure house of precious materials till the 18th century which shows the development of Sinhalese art. The temple is the abode of 153 images of Buddha, 3 of the kings and rest 4 of other gods and goddesses. There are 4 principal monasteries too and the site has been the witness to the origin and development of the militant nationalist movement in the year 1848.
Other major Tourist Attractions in Dumbulla are Iron Wood Forest (Namal Uyana) and Rose Quarts Mountain. The iron wood forest is the home to the oldest gardens of Sri Lanka. The site has been proclaimed as the human sanctuary by King Dappula in the 10th century A.D. This declaration can be seen in an inscription lying at the entrance to Namal Uyana. The Rose Quartz Mountain is more than 500 million years old and you can see white, rose and violet colors of quartz in the place.
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