Cave of the Great Kings

The second and largest of Dambulla’s great cave temples is known as the Maharaja lena or Cave of the Great Kings. In amongst the 16 standing and 40 seated Buddhas are statues of Hindu deities, all of which were dedicated by hallowed Sri Lankan kings. The tempera paintings on the ceiling depict scenes from Buddha's life, whilst a spring drips holy water from within the rock into a bronze receptacle by the dagoba - which in this case doubles up as a tripod.