The Golden Temple of Dambulla has been highlighted at a special photographic exhibition organised at UNESCO in Paris to mark the 35th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) which opened in the French capital today.
The exhibition held under the theme of "Our Place: the World Heritage Collection" presents some of the 900 World Heritage Sites designated around the world.
The Golden Temple of Dambulla has been regarded as a sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, and with its five sanctuaries, is considered the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 m2 ) are of particular importance, as are the 157 statues found within this area.