The Degaldoruwa Buddhist temple is a cave temple and was built originally in 1771 CE by King Kirti Sri Rajasinha (1747 - 1782); a member of the Madurai royal family. The beautiful frescoes; painted by the samanera (unordained monk) Devaragamapola Silvatenna in 1771-72; capture 18th century Kandyan life with amazing detail and vivaciousness. Some paintings depict the king and the royal family. The artist-monk started a trend; and the Dambulla Caves were subsequently redecorated in the same style as were other temples.

Kandy is Sri Lanka's second biggest city with a population of around 170;000 and is the cultural centre of the whole island. For about two centuries (until 1815) it was the capital of Sri Lanka. Pictures From Asia Rainer Krack