This temple complex dates back to the first century BCE. This is the most notable cave temple in sri lanka. It has five caves, carved with a drip line to keep the interiors dry. Inside the ceilings of the caves there are colourful religious images as well as those of various gods and goddesses. There are images of the Lord Buddha and bodhisattvas. The caves, built at the base of a 150m high rock during the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa era. Names of the five caves - Devaraja Lena, Maharaja Lena, Maha Alut Viharaya, Paccima Viharaya, Devana Alut Viharaya.
visitors can reach the rock temple through four entrances; 2 entrances from kandy road (A-9), other from the kurunegala dambulla road (A-6), and the fourth from the valagamba pirivena. Each one of those routes to the rock temple are long granite steps therefore that it is recommended to climb there in morning hours or in the evening. Foreign visitors will have to purchase entrance ticket from the office at the entrance near the golden temple.