On arriving at the temple’s gate, I was immediately put off by its gaudy facade. It felt like the entrance to Chen’s Chinese Chicken Buffet, and I questioned whether we were at the correct location. The gigantic Buddha with a backdrop of nothing but blue sky was lovely, so I fixated on that, until my surroundings were filled with rocks, forest, and a barrage of baby monkeys and bare feet.
After a steep 10-15 minute walk, we arrived at the Golden Temple of Dambulla. The temple is spread across five caves of varying size and dates back to first century BC. Each is decorated floor to ceiling in murals depicting everything from the life of Buddha, to floral designs, and geometric patterns. Every nook and cranny is covered. Each temple also houses statues of Buddha, both large and small, in his many positions: seated and reclining, mediating and teaching, relaxing and in the state of nirvana. Some of the caves also house bell shaped stupas. While trailing behind a small group and their guide, I learned that these symbolize the human mind. The way the bell narrows as it rises and reaches a single point, represents the mind under Buddhist practice.
To be honest, I don’t think I truly appreciated the beauty of this site until looking back, reviewing my photos, and doing further reading. The history, details, and artwork are extremely impressive. From an outside perspective, it’s easy to see why this complex has been a pilgrim’s destination for centuries. I sincerely hope it stays that way.
