Sigiriya

Few kilometres from Dambullah in the middle of the forest and lakes is postioned impresive rock named Sigiriya - Lions rock.

It's only a 30 minute drive from the Dambullah to Sigiriya. When we talk about Sigiriya, then we mostly think of the "rock," - but Sigiriya has also well preserved ancient site with city from the fifth century. Trip to Sigiriya started with walk through gardens and pools, and parks..

Climb to Lions Rock

We climbed up Lions Rock which was a fortress, built from 477-485. It's a steep climb more than 1000 stairs and ladders. The highlights are the frescos which are still so colorful and a highly polished rock with original graffiti - verses written between the 7th and 11th century.

About half way up, the Lion Terrace marked by a staircase between Lion's Paws, starts the remainder of the climb up to the ruins of the summer palaces. There are just crumbly ruins at the top and the visibility isn't too great. Sigiriya Rock itself consists of a large area with ruins of houses, pools and some caves. The centerpiece of course is the rock Today a lot of the old buildings and sculptures are not in good shape, but you still get the feeling that you are in a very special place built on alone rock in the middle of forests and lakes is something you don’t visit every day.

About history of Sigiriya

Sigiriya was a monastery belonging to 1-2 centuries B.C. with caves surrounding the rock Caves with and without dripledges belonging to this period are found close to Sigiriya rock. King Kassapa I (473-491 A.D.) transferred the administrative centre from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya and ruled the island from Sigiriya. He built Sigiriya fortress with the palace, gardens and other royal buildings. After the decease of King kassapa I his brother King Mugalan (495-512 A.D.) donated Sigiriya to the Sangha. Literary sources mention abut Sigiriya during the regns of King Dala Mugalan (535-555 A.D.) and King Sangatissa II (618 A.D.)

 

According to the graffiti of mirror wall Sigiriya was crowded by local visitors from 6 century A.D. to 12 century A.D. Paintings of Sigiriya are one of the most significant pieces of classical paintings of Sri Lanka. There is no argument that the honor for constructions of the most important structures of Sigiriya as moats, parapet wall, gardens, palace and tank goes to King Kassapa I though buildings belonging to 6 century A.D. onwards found here.

Sigiriya has 2 palaces, one at the ground level, called Summer palace and other one on the top of this rock called Winter palace. King Kashyapa had 500 women servants. He painted each of their images on the walls of caves with natural paint. Currently only around 18 are remaining and rest have been destroyed either naturally or by Buddhist Monks.