Reader EdwardM has sent us some travel photos from Sri Lanka. His captions are indented, and you can click on the photos to enlarge them.
These photos are of statuary and frescoes in the Dambulla Cave Temples outside Kandy, Sri Lanka. Kandy, by the way, has a venerated shrine which holds one of Buddha’s teeth! The Dambulla Cave Temples date to the first century AD. The caves, which sit high on a bare rock escarpment, were used as a refuge for a king, called Valagamba, and his people during one of the many invasions of Sri Lanka. To commemorate their survival, Valagamba and heirs founded a monastery in the caves. Over the centuries images, frescoes, and statues of the Lord Buddha, the bodhisattvas, and various gods and goddesses were installed. Typically they were funded by wealthy Sri Lankans for their private redemptive purposes, much like many Christian sites were funded by the wealthy in hopes of favor or forgiveness. The caves are full of these wonderfully vibrant icons.
The caves themselves were welcoming, with soft light and wonderfully cool air; a respite from the brutal Sri Lankan midday heat. One note I’d like to add. Sri Lanka is a fabulously beautiful land, and I know it has had a complex past with much turmoil and violence. But I became endeared to the people; they are delightful and they get genuine pleasure from other people’s happiness. They aren’t faking it. I loved the country, the people, and I encourage anyone who can go; visit.
Here are a few of the shots from the complex. There are five caves but two of them we closed for work when we were there. First, a reclining Buddha with statues of minor gods and goddesses at his head and one of the bodhisattvas (I have no idea which) seated at left. The Buddha was carved out of the rock in the cave. There are several of these at Dambulla.
This image gives an idea of the size of this reclining Buddha. This one is not the largest in the complex. Amazing that this is carved from the rock itself:
Some more statuary. These are depictions of the bodhisattvas, the enlightened followers of Buddha. Unlike the reclining Buddhas, most of the statuary was NOT carved from the rock of the cave, but was instead carved outside the caves and installed within:
The monks (it’s an active monastery) place offerings to various gods and goddesses. Here they put these fabrics on statues of a couple of the Enlightened, but I don’t recall the significance:
More shots of statuary:
The walls and ceilings were covered in beautiful frescoes, some ancient. Here are a few shots:
An incredible set of photos! Wow! Fantastic!
Great pix! Thanks!
A nice photo mix, Edward. Thank you!
I am trying to envision the interior by torchlight. Would the cave openings allow sufficient light into the interior at certain times of day?
Are any of these women? Some look like it and you mentioned goddesses. Gorgeous!
Yes. I’d say 1/3 of the statues were of women. I should have noted that the gods and goddesses are Hindi not Buddhist (of course). Over the centuries the area the caves are in changed hands between Hindu and Buddhist rulers a few times (fortunately, no Muslims, or else the whole complex would have been destroyed). Hindus put their own gods in the caves. The site is primarily Buddhist, as is the monastery, though there is a Hindu temple on site.
By the way, if you go there, the trees around the climb up to the caves are loaded with Hanuman langurs intent on larceny. Our guide told us few sunglasses on top of heads survive to the top. You have to stow them or be ready to trade.
It’s fascinating how EdwardM’s Sri Lankan travel photos, focusing on ancient religious art at Dambulla, are paired with a title about evolution. I wonder if there’s an intended contrast or connection being drawn between the enduring human belief systems depicted and the scientific concept of long-term biological change?
Thank you for the tour of this cave. Great photos and incredible carvings.
It’s definitely worth the price of sunglasses if you forget to stow your glasses.
Amazing photos! The reclining buddha looks as if he’s carved out of wood, rather than stone. Do you know the significance of the head pieces in the second last photo? They appear to be pagodas–maybe indicating a degree of enlightenment?
Amazing statuary and wall-paintings, and all of it seems to be in the same style: soft and rounded figures. Also large! Very interesting.
Beautiful. I’ve always wanted to go to Sri Lanka. Thank you!
D.A.
NYC
Very pretty. Reminds me of the Batu Temple Caves in Malaysia.
Thank you!