sigiriya essay 200 words english

Sigiriya, Eighth Wonder of the World

Sigiriya is one of the most valuable historical monuments of Sri Lanka. Referred by locals as the Eighth Wonder of the World, this ancient palace and fortress complex has significant archaeological importance and attracts thousands of tourists annually. It is probably the most visited tourist destination in Sri Lanka.

The palace is located in the heart of the island between Dambulla and Habarane on a massive rocky plateau 370 meters above sea level. Entrance to Sigiria can only be purchased at the site! See available tours:

Sigiriya rock plateau, formed from the magma of an extinct volcano, is 200 meters higher than the surrounding jungles. Its view astonishes the visitors with the unique harmony between nature and human imagination.

The fortress complex includes remnants of a ruined palace, surrounded by an extensive network of fortifications, vast gardens, ponds, canals, alleys, and fountains.

The surrounding territories of Sigiriya were inhibited for several thousand years. Since the 3rd century BC, the rocky plateau of Sigiriya has served as a monastery. In the second half of the 5th-century king, Kasyapa constructed a royal residence here.

After his death, Sigiriya again became a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century, when it was abandoned.

The main entrance is located on the northern side of the rock. It was designed as a huge stone lion whose feet have survived until today, but the upper parts of the body were destroyed.

Thanks to this lion, the palace was named Sigiriya. The term Sigiriya originates from the word Sihagri, i.e., Lion Rock.

The western wall of Sigiriya was almost entirely covered by frescoes created during the reign of Kasyapa. Eighteen frescoes have survived to this day.

The frescoes depict nude females and are considered to be either portraits of Kadapa’s wives and concubines or priestesses performing religious rituals. Despite the unknown identity of the females depicted in the frescoes, these unique ancient paintings celebrate female beauty and have incredible historical significance.

One of the most striking features of Sigiriya is its Mirror wall. In the old days, it was polished so thoroughly that the king could see his reflection. The Mirror wall is painted with inscriptions and poems written by the visitors of Sigiriya.

The most ancient inscriptions are dated from the 8th century. These inscriptions prove that Sigiriya was a tourist destination over a thousand years ago. Today, painting on the wall is strictly prohibited.

Daily Tours at Sigiriya

Here, you can find available tours to visit Sigiriya.

Sigiriya Photos

• HISTORY MAGAZINE

The 'Lion Fortress' of Sri Lanka was swallowed by the jungle

Built in the fifth century, Sri Lanka’s Sigiriya fortress attracted the attention of British archaeologists in the 1800s, who were amazed by its leonine rock art and beautiful frescoes.

Perched on a slab of rock that juts dramatically over the forests of central Sri Lanka , Sigiriya is as imposing a sight now as it must have been when it was first built by a fierce king in the fifth century A.D. Meaning “lion’s rock,” Sigiriya (designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982) is accessed by way of passageways cut into the rock face between a monumental pair of lion paws.

The fortress was later swallowed by the forest, and only familiar to local villagers. Outsiders used knowledge of its past, preserved in Buddhist texts, to search for the ancient site. British historians rediscovered its astonishing buildings and frescoes in the 19th century.

Kingdom to colony

Sigiriya was built by the fifth-century king Kashyapa I, who ruled the native Sinhalese dynasty, the Moriya. The imposing fortress was the capital of the Sinhalese kingdom until Kashyapa was defeated in A.D. 495. (Watch: An ancient palatial fortress overlooks this barren desert in Israel .)

After Kashyapa, dynasties rose and fell, their fortunes shaped by internal power struggles and conflicts between native Sinhalese and outside invaders from India .

The Lion People

The Mahavamsa, a fifth-century Sri Lankan epic, tells how the Indian prince Vijaya was the grandson of a lion. He traveled to the island of Sri Lanka and married Princess Kuveni. From their union was born the Sinhalese race ( sinhala means “of lions”). In the Sinhalese tradition, the lion is the mythical ancestor of kings and a symbol of royal authority. The photograph shows what remains of the monumental Lion Paws Gate at Sigiriya.

Various cities held the status of capital after Sigiriya, such as Polonnaruwa. By the 12th century, however, overall control of Sri Lanka progressively weakened. Sinhalese power retreated to the southwest of the island, abandoning the Rajarata region, and the former administrative centers, including Sigiriya, started to fall into disuse.

Sri Lanka’s position in the Indian Ocean made it vulnerable to Europeans looking to expand their control in the region. By the mid-1500s the Portuguese had thoroughly exploited dynastic tensions in Sri Lanka’s ruling elite and controlled much of the island.

A century later the Dutch had replaced the Portuguese as colonial masters, and they were in turn displaced by the British in the late 1700s. By 1815 the Kingdom of Kandy, the last independent, native state on the island, became part of the British Empire.

Knowledge is power

British imperial rule brought civil servant George Turnour to the island. An aristocrat, scholar, and passionate historian, Turnour worked with a Buddhist monk to translate an ancient fifth-century chronicle, the Mahavamsa, from the Sri Lankan Pali language into English. Based on this and other texts, he identified two ancient capitals: Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.

Turnour also studied a later chronicle of Sri Lankan history, the Culavamsa, which told the story of King Kashyapa. In the late fifth century, this Sinhalese prince killed his father, King Dhatusena, and seized the throne, usurping his brother, who fled to India. Fearing reprisals, he built the fortress Sigiriya—but in vain: His brother returned, defeating Kashyapa, and Sigiriya lost its brief status as capital.

In 1827 a Scottish officer, Jonathan Forbes, became friends with Turnour, and on hearing the story of Kashyapa and his palace, decided to look for it. In 1831 he set off to where locals told him he would find the remains of an ancient city.

His memoir, Eleven Years in Ceylon, describes “the rock of Sirigi [sic], . . . frowning defiance over the scanty fields and the far-extending forest of the surrounding plain.” As he approached, he could see platforms and galleries carved into the rock. Two of his party managed to scramble some way up but dislodged rocks, “which crashed among the boughs of the trees at a great depth below.”

Unsure as to whether he had found the Sigiriya mentioned in the Buddhist texts, Forbes abandoned the expedition. Revisiting a few years later, he traced the moat that surrounds the gardens at the foot of the rock but did not attempt to climb the cliff face. He doubted that the name Sigiriya was related to lions, as he had seen nothing to support that etymology.

Fabulous frescoes

British mountaineers eventually reached the top in 1851, but the task of surveying the site fell to the Archaeological Commissioner of Ceylon, Harry C.P. Bell. His survey at the end of the 19th century has formed the basis of all studies since.

Bell painstakingly ascertained the layout of Kashyapa’s fantastical city as well as detailed the magnificent carving of the lion’s paws at the entrance, which Forbes had not been able to see.

In addition to the elaborate water gardens at the foot of the rock, Bell’s survey also lavished attention on the galleries on the rock face. These are decorated with exquisite wall paintings that have become some of the most prized objects in Sri Lanka’s artistic heritage. A total of 21 surviving frescoes may depict apsaras, celestial singers and dancers. (See also: 40,000-year-old cave art may be world's oldest animal drawing .)

Nearby, also on the walls of the rock face, are well over 1,000 items of graffiti, scratched by monks and pilgrims who visited the site in the eighth to the 13th centuries. These messages from the past can cause a frisson when read by visitors today. One reads: “At Sigiriya, of abundant splendor, situated on the island of [Sri Lanka] we saw, in happy mood, the rock that captivates the mind of all people who come here.”

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Sigiriya: An Early Designed Landscape in Sri Lanka

2018, Orientations

Inscribed today on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, Sigiriya, an archaeological site in central Sri Lanka, may be one of the oldest gardens known in Asia. The late antique (4th–7th century) remains of buildings, zoomorphic architecture and rock paintings upon its central outcrop have elicited interpretation since the late 19th century (Figs 1 and 2). Sigiriya was thought to be a palace complex, and the art historian Ananda Coomaraswamy likened its paintings to the Gupta period (c. 320–550 CE) cave paintings at Ajanta in India (Coomaraswamy, 1971, p. 163).

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Jinadasa katupotha

Sigiriya Managing Heritage with Community

Jagath Weerasinghe

The history of archaeology at Sigiriya, in its antiquarian manifestation that worked with the notions of discovery and adventure, began in the mid-19 th century with the adventures of European explorers. The published travelogues of Major Jonathan Forbes on the island 1 are an early example of this. A century later, by the mid-decades of the 20 th century, Sigiriya had begun to permeate and play a vital role in the shaping of the historical consciousness of modern Sri Lankans. The migration of the idea of Sigiriya, and other similar sites that the adventurous colonial explorers first brought into the discourse of discovery from ruined wild places, and then to the discourse of archaeology and heritage, over time, registered the notions of the ancient glory of the Sinhalese, with nationalist rhetoric that fueled anti-colonial sentiments. The colonial discourse of "discovery", bolstered by authoritative English-language publications on Sigiriya and other such sites, ensured this migration and persisted throughout the 20 th century, first by colonial archaeologists and then by their brown descendants as an integral component of the discipline of archaeology 2 .

The conditions that affect the heritage management of archaeological sites in Sri Lanka arise from two interrelated but distinct histories. One has its roots in the colonial legacy of Sri Lankan archaeology, and the other in the populist-nationalist politics that draw rhetorical strength from archaeology and history. In this setting, "heritage" 1 means religion and ethnic identity. In a word, ethnonationalist. Since its inception in the late 19th century and its engagement in Anuradhapura, the Archaeological Survey Department of Ceylon (now the Department of Archaeology) had to negotiate the idea of heritage and "sacred site." The demands by Buddhist devotees, led by Walisinha Harishchandra in the early 1900s, that confronted the Archaeological Survey Department in the historic city of Anuradhapura was a struggle between colonial archaeology and the idea of heritage. Buddhists urged that the living characteristics of historic Buddhist sites be taken into account in their preservation 2. These early-twentieth-century clashes with colonial archaeology had long-lasting consequences for the country's post-colonial politics. The ancient city of Anuradhapura, thus acquiring a wealth of historical truths through colonial archaeology, and having been co-opted in a nationalist discourse, pitched by Harishchandra, that showed a particular kind of anti-colonial sentiments 3 , became the treasured historical center for Sinhala-Buddhists in Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura became the ethnonationalist symbol of the ancient grandeur and political authority of modern Buddhist rulers 4. These two mutually inclusive histories effectively keep archaeology from becoming a critical social practice. For a significant majority of Sri Lankan archaeologists, archaeology remains a project to construct culture-historical narratives about the country's past, using a loosely positivist-empiricist and commonsense approach of knowledge production entangled in locating essences and origins in ethnic, geographical, and chronological categories in Sri Lanka's past 5. Finding such

Prashantha Mandawala

Aditya Joshi

D.A.M.S. Silva

VIRTUAL RECONSTRUCTION OF ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPES OF SRI LANKA Silva, D.A.M.S.* and Yakandawala, K.** Department of Horticulture and Landscape Gardening, Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Makandura, Gonawila (NWP), Sri Lanka *[email protected], **[email protected] ABSTRACT The history of architecture in Sri Lanka spans to the prehistoric era. However, well developed architectural and landscaping knowledge was transmitted from Indo-Aryan settlers, after Buddhism was introduced in 3rd century BC. Ancient Sri Lankan architecture primarily developed around religion. Sustainability and natural balance were key philosophies of this. All these monuments and landscapes have a remarkable calming effect on visitors. Remains of Buddhist and Hindu shrines, literature, maps and silpa texts are the main sources of evidence for studying ancient architecture and landscape gardening in Sri Lanka. Historic books like Mahawansa gives a detailed explanation of construction efforts led by each king during their ruling dynasties. Sinhala and Pali books written by great scholar monks, specially the Sandesha kavyas provide descriptive information on ancient buildings and gardens as well the biodiversity of surrounding landscapes. Stupas, the world's universal Buddhist architectural monuments, were built to preserve holy artifacts of the Lord Buddha. Ancient Stupas emphasize architectural and engineering capabilities of the ancestors of the island, and Stupas are considered the largest brick monuments of the pre-modern world. Sri Lankan Buddhist architecture was under threat ever since it was introduced, first by the South Indian invasion, then by Europeans, and recently by civil war, when many architectural monuments as well as architectural documents were destroyed. In spite of the brave effort by the Sri Lankan people, Buddhist monks, and leaders who tried to protect ancient Buddhist monuments, many of them have rapidly decayed and have been destroyed in the past. The protection and restoration of ancient architecture, its theories and techniques has become a challenge to the present generation. Focus should not be limited to protecting, maintaining and restoring ancient heritage but also on the need to reuse these principles in modern architecture and landscaping, mainly because of its sustainability and ecological balance. Developing 3D models of ancient monuments using computer software is very useful for in-depth studies and reconstruction efforts. However, designing 3D models using traditional geometrical designing software such as AutoCAD, Maya, 3D’s max are sophisticated and time consuming. Google SketchUp was recently introduced as a free and open source 3D modeling system, which is user-friendly and easy to learn. Now many engineers, architects, researchers and students are using Google SketchUp together with Google Earth in engineering, geography and archeology projects as a rapid designing tool. KEYWORDS: Buddhist Architecture, Computer Aided Designing, Archeology, 3D modeling

Roots of Sri Lankan Art

Osmund Bopearachchi

The present book is the first of five volumes that I wish to publish in the near future on Śrī Laṅkān art. The next book will be on the sculptures of the Classical Period (5th-10th century CE). The third book will cover Buddhist and Hindu sculptures of the Polonnaruwa period (11th-13th century). The fourth one will be on the Yapahuwa and Kandiyan periods (13th-20th century). The final volume will focus on the mural paintings extending from the 2nd century to the 20th century CE.

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

Thusitha Wagalawatta

Robin Jones

Robin Jones Abstract This paper discusses the landscape garden of Lunuganga, Sri Lanka designed by the architect Geoffrey Bawa for himself after 1948. It assesses this space as a site of memory and a location where modernity and history are negotiated. The present article theorizes the making of Lunuganga in relation to the production of modernity in Sri Lanka and negotiation of the island’s relationship to colonial and pre-colonial histories. The island of Sri Lanka has a long history of the development of cultural landscapes. Bawa’s landscapes can be located within these traditions. Furthermore, the time he spent in Europe furnished him with an understanding of the picturesque landscape tradition. Lunuganga could be described as a site where these (colonial) histories and vernacular traditions re-staged or re-presented the modern in contemporary Sri Lanka. Bawa’s landscapes can also be ‘read’ as ‘sites of memory’, where, although of the modern era, the past is recalled. The landscape of Lunuganga references negotiations between adoption of a universal modern, with its taint of colonial subjugation, the neglect of this troubled past and the pursuit of an uncomplex indigenism and, in so doing, intervenes in the production of modernity in Sri Lanka.

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Sri Lanka travel guide

Ultimate Guide to Sigiriya -The Lion Rock in Sri Lanka

Nicknamed the eighth wonder of the world, Sigiriya is the most remarkable cultural landmark in Sri Lanka. Sigiriya or the Lion Rock is an ancient rock fortress created in the 5th century AD. This 200 m tall huge rock is towering over the surrounding greenery of the plains in central Sri Lanka. Sigiriya Rock Fortress remained the capital of Sri Lanka for 22 years, due to the strategic advantage of this location.

Sigiriya fortress complex has significant archaeological importance, and it is a UNESCO world heritage site in the country. It stands as testimony to the great architectural skills and urban planning of ancient Sri Lankans. Since Sigiriya is one of the most valuable historical monuments in the country, it attracts thousands of visitors every year. Especially, it is highly famous among tourists, making Sigiriya the most visited tourist destination on the island.

Access to Sigiriya

Sigiriya has located 150 km from Colombo , between the towns of Dambulla and Habarana. If you hire a taxi to Sigiriya, it may cost around 80 USD. You can reach Sigiriya within 2 and half hours from Colombo by taxi.

The cheapest way to get there is to take a bus or train from Colombo. As there is no direct bus or train that goes to Sigiriya, you need to travel to Habarana which locates 15 km away. Then you can take a tuk-tuk ride to the destination. Overall, Sigiriya is reachable within 3 and a half hours from Colombo.

The quickest way to get to Sigiriya from Colombo is by flying there directly. Cinnamon Air operates daily flights from the domestic terminal of the Colombo Airport to Sigiriya. It will take only 30 minutes to reach Sigiriya by air. 

History of Sigiriya

Though Sigiriya is a marvelous creation, it has a quite dramatic historical background. The creator of Sigiriya was King Kashyapa, who was the eldest son of King Dhatusena. Since he was the son of a non-royal concubine, he wasn’t the heir to the throne. Moggallana, the son of the royal consort was the rightful heir to the throne. Therefore, Kashyapa acquired the throne by overthrowing King Dhatusena, while his brother Moggallana fled for his life.

As a result, King Kashyapa was disgraced among the public. Fearing an evident attack from Moggallana, Kashyapa moved his capital to Sigiriya Rock. At Sigiriya, he constructed a large citadel on top of the huge rock and an elaborate city with all the facilities. Since this rock fortress was rising high above the surrounding plain, it offered him a safe and secure place. He could get an unhindered view of any advancement of intruders from all directions, which ensured his protection.

King Kashyapa reigned for 22 years until Moggallana came back with his armies and defeated him. According to history, King Kashyapa killed himself with his own sword in the battle. After ending Kashyapa’s reign as the king of Sri Lanka, Moggallana moved back to the ancient capital of Anuradhapura . This was the sad end of gorgeous Sigiriya as the capital of Sri Lanka.

Here we are going to give you a complete guide to Sigiriya in Sri Lanka. Since we have climbed Sigiriya rock several times, we are quite knowledgeable about the travel guidelines. Therefore, we have summarized the best travel tips and main things to see in Sigiriya -the Lion Rock in Sri Lanka.

1. Entrance of Sigiriya

Opening hours of Sigiriya run from 7.00 am to 5.30 pm every day. Foreigners need to pay 30 USD for the entrance fee. This will also grant access to the Sigiriya Museum.

2. Garden of Sigiriya

As you enter Sigiriya, you’ll first walk through this beautiful garden as you make your way to the towering Lion’s Rock ahead. This garden of the Sigiriya is one of the most important aspects of this rock fortress. There are large ponds and moats around the Sigiriya Castle ground. The garden consisted of a number of ponds, fountains, and other structures.

It’s believed there was a complex underground irrigation system to supply water to these ponds. With a number of water gardens and terraced gardens, Sigiriya is among the oldest landscaped gardens in the world. Therefore, be sure to take some time to appreciate the ancient gardening skills of Sri Lankans.

3. Sigiriya Frescoes

After passing the gardens, you’ll approach the staircase which winds its way up Sigiriya Lion Rock. Along this way, you can see ancient Sigiriya frescoes painted on the rock wall of a cave. These frescoes are one of the major things to see in Sigiriya. The frescoes are depicting maidens carrying flowers, wearing elaborate jewels on their hair, ears, and arms. Large hooped earrings dangle from their ears and they wear armlets as well as bangles.

It’s believed the western wall of Sigiriya was almost entirely covered by frescoes, but only eighteen frescoes have survived today. You’ll see these paintings are highly skilled creations on the plastered and polished rock walls.  Needless to say, Sigiriya Rock may look like beautiful heaven with all its painted glory in the past.

Most importantly, there is a notice to refrain from taking photos of the frescoes because the camera flash makes a bad impact on the frescoes. Since these ancient paintings are in a fragile state, we need to protect them. Therefore, kindly respect the rule and avoid taking pictures or touching these thousand years old paintings.

4. Mirror Wall

Mirror Wall is one of the most striking features of Sigiriya. The Mirror wall is made of brick masonry and covered in highly polished white plaster. It calls as Ketapath Pawura in Sinhala because it was polished so thoroughly as a mirror, that the king could see his reflection in it.

There are inscriptions and poems written by the visitors of Sigiriya. The most ancient inscriptions date from the 8th century. They are proving that Sigiriya was a travel destination, even more than a thousand years ago.

Ancient visitors scribbled verses about the beauty of Sigiriya paintings. There are over 1,000 pieces of graffiti, scratched by the pilgrims who visited the site in the past. But further writing on Mirror Wall is banned for the protection of the old writings.

5. Lion’s Paws

The main entrance located on the northern side of the rock was designed in the form of a huge stone lion. The majestic paws of the lion have survived up to today, where the upper parts of the body were destroyed. According to archeologists, the palace was looking like a squatting lion during its heydays.

This sculpted lion gate gives a grand and majestic entrance to the visitors. You’ll go through this gate to enter the narrow pathway leading to the top of the rock. This final ascent along the metal stairway is quite steep, but you can climb to the top with only a little effort.

6. Ruins on the Top

Past the massive stone lion paws, there are around 1,200 steps up to the summit of Sigiriya rock. But it’s not a strenuous hike, you can easily climb along the metal stairway.

At the top of Sigiriya Rock, there is a vast complex of ruins including remnants of King’s palace, surrounded by an extensive network of fortifications, gardens, ponds, canals, and fountains. Large pools are constructed on the top to make sure there is an abundant water supply for the royals.

You’ll see there are stone steps leading down into the water of the pools indicating that they were swimming pools. Especially, the large pond on top of Sigiriya was considered as the swimming pool for King Kashyapa and his royal family.

7. Panoramic View from the Top

Once you reach the top, you’ll feel that hard work paid off with a spectacular panoramic view over the surrounding plains. The top view of the elegantly landscaped garden shows perfect symmetrical linear pathways running for several hundreds of meters.

You’ll see the panoramic view is so fascinating and lion paws look amazing from the top. The summit is quite windy, and the breeze is cool and refreshing. Definitely, the breathtaking scenery at the top will be completely worthy of your visit.

The following are the important guidelines to consider when visiting Sigiriya. Climbing Sigiriya Rock under the tropical sun may be a little bit of a challenge for tourists. Therefore, start your climb as early as in the morning to avoid the heat of the sun at noon. Be sure to take a bottle of water and keep yourself hydrated. Wear comfortable, breathable clothes as well as comfy shoes for the climb. Wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreens if you are climbing in the noon. Pack lightly as much as possible, with only the essential items for climbing.

Most importantly, do not make a huge noise, while hiking up to the summit. Hornet nests are there in some of the rocks in the surrounding. They won’t disturb you until you disturb them.  Above all, remember to avoid using drones , since hornets get disturbed by the sound of drones. Therefore, the use of drones is strictly prohibited within Sigiriya premises.

To sum up, here we have bought you the details of the most valuable cultural landmark in Sri Lanka, the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Since the entrance fee of Sigiriya costs 35 USD, some budget travelers skip it and visit nearby Pidurangala Rock. But we strongly recommend Sigiriya as one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka . With its epic photogenic beauty, Sigiriya won’t disappoint any of the visitors. Welcome guys, Happy traveling to Sigiriya for you all!

Text by Magnificent Sri Lanka. Images from Wikimedia Commons, Pixabay, Twitter, and us. Copyrights reserved by original authors.

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• Historical Places

Sigiriya Rock Fortress – An introduction to the ancient wonder

Located in the Matale District of Central Province, Sigiriya Rock Fortress owns a striking geological profile and famous as an astonishing feat of ancient technology and town planning. It is rock plateau rises to a height of about 200 meters above the surrounding plain or 360 meters above the mean sea level. This ancient wonder of Sri Lanka was designated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1982, due to its universal value expressed through ancient architecture, historical value, art, town planning, hydraulic technology, and also cultural landscape features. Since the 19 th Century, with the interest of antiquarians, this heritage came to light revealing its world-renowned features. The archaeological investigation, restoration, and conservation work by the Department of Archaeology and Central Cultural Fund contributed immensely to revealing this prodigy of Sri Lankan history to the world.

360 View of Sigiriya Rock

Sigirya – Historical value

According to the literary sources, Sigiriya royal palace complex possess a long way of historical background extended back to 5th Century AC which has been built by King Kasyapa. However, based on the archaeological evidence, and according to the research done by numerous scholars, it appears that the vicinity has existed over several phases through the prehistoric period and historic period.

The first inhabitants of the Sigiriya region were the Mesolithic humans who belonged to prehistoric times of Sri Lanka as revealed from the excavation and investigations done in nearby caves in proximity to the Sigiriya summit and the open-air sites around it. Archaeologists have unearthed several archaeological remains to prove the aforesaid information including stone tools, bone tools, and also faunal and floral remains.

During the 3rd Century BC, the historical period of Sigiriya commenced with the habitation of Buddhist monks, transforming the site into a monastic settlement as indicated by rock caves with drip ledges and the inscriptions carved on the rock surfaces dating back to 3rd – 1st centuries. The inscriptions record the granting of the caves in the premises to Buddhist monks in order to use it as their residences.

The modification of Sigirya as a fortified city under the rule of King Kasyapa  (477-495 AC) stated the golden landmark in the history of Sigiriya along with architectural buildings, paintings, hydraulic engineering, and so on. According to the chronicles, the building up of Sigiriya as a palace complex related to the political history of the country during the latter half of the 5th Century AC. Kasypa was one of the two sons of King Datusena who reigned the country during the Anuradhapura period. While Kasypa was the son of a non-royal consort, Mugalan is the other son of Datusena who was born of the queen and was thus the rightful heir to the throne. Along with the support of army commander, Migara prince Kasyapa seized the kingship by murdering his own father and Mugalan fed to India to seek help to fight against his brother. However, with the fear of returning Mugalan with an Indian army, Kasyapa could not rule the country from the capital of Anuradhapura. So, he chose his capital on a huge rock surrounded with thick vegetation to be protected from future attacks and this place was ultimately known as Sigiriya. As the Culavamsa mentions King Kasyapa ruled the country for almost 18 years with wealth and comfort and also with tight security around the summit. “He collected treasures and kept them there well protected and for the riches kept by him, he set guards at different places. Then he built there a fine palace, worthy to behold, like another Alakamanda and dwelt there like Kuvera (Geiger, 1928, 39:3–6, pp. 42–43). As the researchers state Kasypan period can be considered as the golden era of Sigiriya which turned it into a great eye-catching wonder in the whole world. After the defeat of Kasypa by Mugalan with the help of the Indian army, the Sigiri complex was again inhabited by the Buddhist monks as Mugalan reigned his ruling period from the capital of Anuradhapura. During the post Kasypan period which lasted until the 13th Century the royal constructions were altered by Buddhist monks to suit their lifestyle but no harms came to the aesthetic grandeur of the summit and the gardens.

Learn more about the re-Discovery of Sigiriya .

Architectural value

The royal palace complex on the rock summit which is believed to be the royal residence of King Kasyapa expresses the architectural value of Sigiriya to a greater extend. Although today we can only see the ruins of these buildings, they clearly manifest the grandeur of the architecture during the historical times. The magnificent palace complex on the summit of Sigiriya Rock is the center of the Sigiriya complex which is built 200 meters above the surrounding plain. The buildings of the palace have been constructed on a stepped terrain of about one and a half hectares. It is considered the earliest and best-preserved palace complex in Sri Lanka. It is assumed that the entire summit was surrounded by a brick wall built to the very edge of the rock, the footings of which are still clearly visible today. The palace garden consists of small ponds and terraces found on the eastern half of the summit meaning the outer palace area and especially on the sloping terrain to the south.

The main entrance to the rock summit is another structure that presents out the architectural value of this premise. The monumental lion paws of Sigiriya are the very reason that the rock summit got the name ‘ Sinha-Giri’  meaning Lion rock which became Sigiriya later on. At the northern end of the rock, a staircase has been built to climb up the summit through this pair of lion paws and it is truly a sight to behold. Although today one can only see this remaining lion paws it is assumed that there had been a gigantic brick lion on this place and the staircase emerged between the lion’s paws and runs into its mouth.

Moreover, the summer palaces built within the pleasure gardens also speaks about the architectural skills of the Sigiriya creators. Adjacent to the fountain garden area, on the flattened islands there, assumed to be summer palaces used for the leisure time of the king. It is believed that bridges built by cutting into the surface rock provided the access and the surrounding waterways have given a cooling surrounding.

Sigiriya Artistic value

Paintings of Sigiriya on the western side of the rock surface have been the focus of specific interest in both ancient and modern times which demonstrate excellent artistic features of the 5th century. Withstanding years of climatic changes some of them can still be seen in good condition. Ancient graffiti on the Mirror Wall refers to the existence of about five hundred frescoes covering a large section of the western surface of Sigiriya Rock. Today one can observe small fragments found in two slides on the rock surface, depicting about twenty-one female figures of immense beauty known as Apsaras. This line of paintings would have spread throughout the western surface of the rock, forming an awe-striking view to the ones who were the below of the rock featuring as a curtain full of colorful paintings. It is said that the reflection of these paintings could be seen on the water ponds in the water garden during the ancient period.

On the opposite side of the belt of the paintings, halfway along the western side of the rock surface, there is a pathway to climb up to the rock summit. The outer edge of the path is protected with a two-meter-high brick wall. This wall is plastered with a special lime mortar and the inner surface is polished to a reflective mirror finished in such a way that the painting on the opposite rock surface is perfectly reflected creating special scenery. This wall is known as ‘ Katapath paura’,  meaning mirror wall, due to this reflecting surface. Today, after all these years later, the shine on this wall can still be seen. Among thousands of visitors who visited Sigiriya from the 6th Century to 14th Century, inspired by the wonder they saw, they transferred their thoughts into poetry and wrote on the Mirror Wall which are preserved up to date. These are known as Sigiri graffiti and there are over 1800 pieces of prose, poetry, and commentary written by ancient tourists. This graffiti offers a fascinating insight into the history of Sigiriya and the evolution of language in the country over the period. A total of nearly 1500 writings have now been deciphered by scholars, especially Prof. Paranavithana.

Sigiriya – A compilation of different garden types

The Sigiriya landscape is adorned with three distinct garden types; water gardens, terraced garden, and boulder garden. They are unique in design and can be regarded as the oldest surviving large-scale garden forms in Asia. Among these water gardens consisting of main three sections are the most extensive and intricate garden type. It can be observed three principal water garden units lay along the central east-west axis and the miniature water garden. This garden layout of an interconnected set of water features reflects a highly refined landscape design sense on the part of Sigiriya’s architects. Three main garden features are numbered as ‘Garden No.1, No.2 and No.3’ which are also named as ‘Fourfold garden, fountain garden, and asymmetrical garden’ respectively for the ease of identification .

Garden No.1 is comprised of a central island surrounded by four ‘L’ shaped ponds. It is supposed that there was a large pavilion on this island based on the found evidence. The flights of steps constructed, and a series of surrounding terraces give easy access to the water. Most of the known special water features of the Sigiriya premises are in the area identified as ‘Fountain garden’, which is comprised of two long ponds which are located opposite to each other. Beyond these long ponds, one can notice a shallow broad expanse of water meandering right across the earth on either side of the pathway on the upper precinct of the fountain garden. These are commonly named ‘Serpentine streams’. At the end of these two shallow streams, there are the four fountains, two on each side formed by allowing water to spurt through the holes which are symmetrically aligned, constructed in circular sandstone slabs. Garden No.3 is encompassed with a large octagonal-shaped pool and an L shaped pool. Apart from these main units, a miniature water garden with several ponds and pavilions and summer palaces built amidst the water gardens has indisputably identified as the most attractive and rather very different constituent of the water garden arena of Sigiriya complex.

Boulder garden of Sigirya displays an entirely different layout when compared to the water gardens which shows an asymmetrical layout that has been built in a different historical environment. This area consists of several rocks and boulders and in almost every rock and boulder there had been a pavilion set upon it as revealed by the marks on them. Rock shelters can be noticed underneath many of the boulders, which ancient Buddhist monks inhabited at an earlier stage and later on fashioned as a feature of the royal garden. Through these boulders, one can walk on winding narrow pathways in order to reach the terraced garden.

Sigiriya Terraced garden can be seen associating with the natural hill at the base of the Sigiriya rock, which has been constructed with a series of walls and today some of them are collapsed to mounds and some are restored. Each terrace is finely running around the rocks and some are built interacting with the natural rocks displaying cultural landscape features in the vicinity. Brick built staircases with limestone steps are laid across the terraced garden, connecting the pathways of the boulder garden and the main staircase to climb up the rock.

Sigiriya Hydraulic Features

One of the most striking features of Sigiriya water gardens is its well-planned and exceptionally engineered hydraulic system even surpasses the present-day knowledge in constructing water features. Various sizes of ponds, interconnected conduits, cisterns, and other features that constitute the water system serve different functions within the premises. Mainly, the following water features can be noticed within the vicinity.

• Sigiri Wewa, the main source of water of the Sigiriya complex
• A series of moats, two on the west and one on the east, fed directly from this lake.
• Surface drainage waterways to control to prevent erosion of terraces and gardens during the rainy season
• Ornamental watercourses and water-retaining structures as an essential aspect of the royal pleasure gardens

• Cooling systems, such as a variety of water-surrounded pavilions and the generalized presence of water in parklands and courtyards.
• The water control and water-retaining systems, including a series of horizontal and vertical drains cut in the rock and underground conduits made of cylindrical, terracotta pipes.

The ancient engineers who constructed the Sigiriya water system have used several important concepts to create the water features of the area in a very effective manner, making the ultimate result a wonderful one. The ancient engineers have used integrated micro and macro design concept in constructing the hydraulic network in the area, incorporating the nearby lake and interconnected water channel across the garden area. Hydraulics of the water garden area is comprised of world-renowned water features highlight the aesthetic beauty to a greater extent.

Urban Layout and planning

Sigiriya provides one of the best-preserved and most magnificent examples of urban planning in ancient Sri Lanka. Sigiriya complex consists of a royal citadel and an elaborately laid-out city, with ramparts, moats, gateways, gardens date back to the Kasyapan period. The entire palace is centered on the massive Sigiriya rock surrounded by two large city zones as an inner-city (citadel) and the outer city and also by a garden zone. The urban plan of Sigiriya city is encircled with double moat and triple ramparts extending to the east and west.

The importance of Sigiriya lies not only in the fact that it provides us with a perfectly preserved urban layout but also in the planning technology of our forefathers. Sigiriya presents a brilliant combination of symmetry and asymmetry combining geometrical plan and natural surroundings. The large rock summit of Sigiriya constitutes the backdrop of the landscape when seeing across the gardens from the west side. The rectangular area around this summit is symmetrically divided through the north-south and east-west axes which meet at the center of the palace area on the summit of the rock. The elaborate planning demonstrated in the overall Sigiriya layout shows the brilliant engineering knowledge of our forefathers. It is known by the scholars that the intricate symmetry of the royal water gardens and the moats and ramparts of the western precinct is based on an ‘echo plan’. Concerning the layout of Sigiriya, Bandaranayake comments, “One of the most remarkable aspects of the urban form at Sigiriya is its planning mathematics and its total design concept. In its total conception, Sigiriya represents a brilliant combination of concepts of symmetry and asymmetry, of a deliberate interlocking of a geometrical plan and natural form” (Bandaranayake, 1990:41-58).

Sigiriya – An UNESCO world heritage site

On 17th December 1982, after assessing the aforementioned outstanding values in Sigiriya, the W orld Heritage Committee decided to inscribe the site a World Heritage Site under Criterion II, III, and IV of the operational Guidelines.

Criterion II – Exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on development in Architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design – Sigiriya frescoes the artistic value which extends back to a long history and Sigirii graffiti speaks of the thousands of admirers who visited the site, since the 6th century A.D. These poems are among the most ancient texts in the Sinhalese language, providing evidence for the contemporary literature.

Criterion III – Bear a unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or has disappeared – This cultural property is a unique witness to the civilization of ancient Sri Lanka during the reign of King Kasyapa.

Criterion IV – Be an outstanding example of a type of building or architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history- An exceptional and significant event was the determining factor in the creation of the royal capital woven around the life of King Kasyapa.

External Link – සීගිරිය හා එහි රජ උයන (Sigiriya and it’s Royal Garden – A Sinhala video by Prof. Senarath Dissanayake – Director-General, Department of Archaeology)

  Reference

Amarasinghe, M, (2003), Sri Lankave Purana Raja Maliga (Ancient Royal Palaces in Sri Lanka), Ja-Ela, Samanthi Poth Prakasakayo.

Amarasinghe, M., (2005), Sigiriya: loka urumayaka wagathuga , Dayawansa Jayakody, Colombo.

Bandaranayake. S, (1987), The ‘first’ and ‘second’ urbanization in Sri Lanka: a review , Paper presented at the second SAREC Archaeological Congress, Kandy.

Bandaranayake. S, (1993), ‘Amongst Asia’s Earliest Surviving Gardens: The Royal and Monastic Gardens at Sigiriya and Anuradhapura’, Historic Gardens and Sites, pp. 3-35, ICOMOS Series, Colombo, Central Cultural Fund.

Bandaranayake. S, (2005), Sigiriya , Central Cultural Fund, Colombo.

Bopearachchi, O, (2006), The pleasure gardens of Sigiriya , Godage Book Emporium, Colombo.

Cooray. N, (2012), The Sigirya Royal Gardens: Analysis of landscape architectonic composition .

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Sigiriya Rock: The Ancient Fortress

The magnificent rock fortress of Sigiriya is Sri Lanka's most iconic landmark. Once the palace of a Sri Lankan king, this rock fortress is a masterpiece of engineering, urban planning, irrigation, and landscaping. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was even named the 8th wonder of the world at one point. This travel guide will take you through Sigiriya's history, culture, and engineering, providing you with detailed information to make the most of your visit.

History of Sigiriya

Sigiriya, also known as Lion Rock, is an ancient fortress in the Matale District of Sri Lanka. The fortress was built in the 5th century AD by King Kashyapa, who chose this location as his new capital and fortified palace. The fortress is a massive rock formation that rises over 200 meters.

The history of Sigiriya is rich and fascinating. According to historical records, King Kashyapa built the fortress as a refuge from his brother, Prince Mugalan. Kashyapa killed his father to take the throne for himself, and his brother sought vengeance.

Despite the heavy fortifications, Prince Mugalan managed to invade the fortress, which resulted in King Kashyapa's suicide. Albeit the brutality it has seen, this magnificent structure endured the test of time. It is now known as an icon where culture, history, engineering, and art unite to showcase the wonders of civilization.

The hike to the top of Sigiriya is a must-do for anyone if he or she is capable. The hike is moderate to difficult, taking about 1-2 hours, depending on your fitness level. The path to the top is well-maintained and has steps, handrails, and platforms to help you along the way. The climb is steep in some places and can be challenging, but the views from the top are well worth the effort.

As you make your way up Sigiriya, you'll come across many intriguing sights that speak to the site's historical and cultural significance. One such feature is the ancient frescoes gallery, where you'll need to traverse a narrow, spiral staircase to access the vivid paintings. You'll also pass through the Lion's Gate, once guarded by a massive lion sculpture that lent the fortress its name. Today, only the lion's paws remain, but they provide a striking reminder of the grandeur and power that Sigiriya once represented.

The climb is a perfect opportunity to admire the natural beauty of the surroundings and the impressive engineering of the fortress.

Exploring the Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Once you reach the top of the rock, you will arrive heart of the fortress. The fortress is a complex of buildings, gardens, and pools that were once the palace of King Kashyapa. Sigiriya's palace complex is a marvel to behold, as it was ingeniously designed to maximize the limited space available atop the rock. The palace features many well-preserved buildings, including the Audience Hall, the Lion Staircase, and the Mirror Wall. The palace is an architectural masterpiece and gives visitors a glimpse into the lifestyle of the ancient Sinhalese royalty.

The Water Gardens

The water gardens at Sigiriya are a true testament to ancient engineering and design. The intricate system of pools, fountains, and streams is absolutely stunning. However, the true marvel of these gardens lies in the engineering that makes them function. The fountains, for example, are pressure-operated, functioning without the need for modern pumps. Pipes carved through the rock bring up the water to the top. How this was actually achieved is a mystery to this day.

The Sigiriya Frescoes

One of the most fascinating features of Sigiriya is the frescoes that adorn the rock face. The frescoes are located on the western face of the rock, and they are best viewed in the morning or evening light. The frescoes are a series of paintings of women thought to be the king's wives or divine beings. The paintings showcase an advanced understanding of human anatomy and movement, with each figure gracefully poised and adorned with intricate jewelry and colorful garments. The skillful use of shading, color, and perspective in the frescoes is truly awe-inspiring and will leave you with a lasting impression of the artistic heritage of ancient Sri Lanka. They are considered some of the finest examples of ancient art in Sri Lanka.

The Mirror Wall

Sigiriya's mirror walls are another feature of the fortress. They were supposedly so well polished in ancient times that one could see his reflection. Ancient visitors wrote inscriptions and poems on these walls. The inscriptions found on the wall range from poetic verses to declarations of love, offering a unique perspective on the thoughts and emotions of those who visited Sigiriya centuries ago. As you walk along the mirror wall, take a moment to appreciate the connection between the past and the present, and imagine the countless individuals who have stood in the same spot, marveling at the splendor of Sigiriya. This graffiti provides a glimpse into the thoughts and experiences of visitors from ages ago, offering a unique perspective on the history and significance of the fortress and the Sinhala language.

There is an entrance fee to visit Sigiriya, and tickets can be purchased at the site or in advance through a travel agency.

Accommodation

There are plenty of accommodation options in the Sigiriya area. The area around Sigiriya is especially known to have several luxury hotels and resorts. But accommodations for any kind of budget, such as hostels, Airbnbs, and homestays, are available. Booking your accommodation in advance is recommended, especially during the peak tourist season.

Transportation

Sigiriya is well-connected to other parts of Sri Lanka by road. You can reach the site by your own vehicle, taxi, tuk-tuk, or bus.

Guided tours

To get the most out of your visit to Sigiriya, we advise that you hire a knowledgeable local guide. A guide can provide valuable insights into the history, culture, and engineering of the site and ensure that you don't miss any important features.

Photography

While photography is allowed in most areas of Sigiriya, certain sections may have restrictions, especially where frescoes and other delicate artworks are present. Be respectful of the site and follow any posted guidelines or instructions from your guide.

Supporting the local community

Consider supporting the local community by purchasing souvenirs, handicrafts, or food from nearby vendors. This not only provides an authentic experience but also contributes to the local economy and helps preserve the heritage of the region.

Tips and Advice

• Wear comfortable shoes and clothing, as the climb to the top, can be strenuous.
• Start your climb early in the morning to avoid the heat and crowds.
• Carry plenty of water with you.
• Respect the cultural and historical significance of the site by not littering or causing damage to the fortress or its surroundings.
• If you are not fit for this climb, an alternative route is available to reach the top. Or you can simply admire the view of the fortress from the bottom.
• Make sure to take your camera to capture the stunning views and beautiful frescoes.
• The climb is filled with many smaller sites offering a wealth of cultural and historical knowledge. So make sure to hire a guide to get an in-depth understanding.
• The nearby Pidurangala Rock is a famous viewpoint and offers one of the best views of Sigiriya, so consider hiking there as well.

Nearby Attractions

• Pidurangala Rock: Just a few kilometers away from Sigiriya, Pidurangala Rock is an ideal destination for those looking to escape the crowds and experience a more serene hike. The climb to the summit offers breathtaking views of Sigiriya Rock and the surrounding jungle. Pidurangala Rock also has its own historical significance, as it once served as a monastery for Buddhist monks.
• Dambulla: Dambulla is a fascinating city situated in close proximity to Sigiriya, rich with historical, cultural, and religious significance. This enchanting destination is home to the iconic Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its stunning rock cave murals and intricate architecture. There are also several other wonderful attractions, such as the Rose Quartz Mountain, the Kandalama reservoir, and the Ibbankatuwa Megalithic Tombs. Find out more about the top things to do in Dambulla.
• Minneriya National Park: Approximately 34 km from Sigiriya, Minneriya National Park is an excellent place to experience Sri Lanka's wildlife. The park is home to a variety of animals, including elephants, leopards, sloth bears, and many species of birds. Minneriya is best known for "The Gathering," an annual event where hundreds of elephants congregate around the park's central reservoir during the dry season. This is the largest gathering of Asian elephants in the world.
• Anuradhapura: About 73 km from Sigiriya, Anuradhapura is another UNESCO World Heritage Site that displays the rich history and culture of ancient Sri Lanka. The city was the first capital of Sri Lanka and flourished for over a thousand years. Today, visitors can explore the well-preserved ruins of ancient palaces, temples, and stupas that provide a fascinating insight into the past.
• Polonnaruwa: Located about 60 km from Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa is another UNESCO World Heritage Site that features the ruins of an ancient city. Polonnaruwa was the second capital of the island and served as the royal capital from the 11th to the 13th century. The site is home to well-preserved palaces, temples, and other structures that showcase the skill and craftsmanship of the ancient Sinhalese civilization.

Sigiriya is one of the world's most iconic landmarks and, without a doubt, Sri Lanka's number one travel destination. It is revered by Sri Lankans and hailed as a national treasure. If you visit Sri Lanka, this is one place you definitely should explore. Explore the ancient architecture, history, and culture while taking some incredible photos. It will be a journey to remember!

Wonders Of Ceylon

A Guide to Sigiriya in Sri Lanka (aka: Lion Rock)

Even before you get to the top, it’s undeniable that Sigiriya in Sri Lanka, an ancient fortress known more affectionately as the Lion Rock, is a magnificent and impressive site. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982, this rock, towering at 200 meters above water, has obtained a lot of history, story and legend, and archeological wonder throughout its many years of existence. Although not an easy climb (there’s over 1200 steps!), it’s a site not to be missed when in Sri Lanka.

In this guide, you’ll learn about its history, what the site holds in today, and how you, too, can check climbing Sigiriya off your bucket list .

History of Sigiriya Fortress

Sigiriya Fortress was built by King Kashyapa I, in the 5 th century, at the time of which the area belonged to the Moriya, who were the natives to the Sinhalese dynasty. This fortress played the role of capital to the kingdom, until the king was defeated in 495 A.D. Before the fortress was built, the rock was inhabited by Buddhist monks, and after the passing of the king, it returned to its function as a monastery. However, evidence exists that this area has been lived in since as long ago as the 10 th century B.C.

From then on, the capital changed with each short-lived dynasty, until the region was mostly abandoned by the Sinhalese dynasties altogether. It wasn’t until the 19 th century that Sigiriya became of any significance again, when it became a military fortress for the kingdom of Kandy. Directly afterwards, it became a site of interest during the colonization of the British Empire, and through the efforts of military officer Jonathan Forbes specifically. 

It is generally regarded to be one of the most valuable historical sights in Sri Lanka. The structure of the rock was formed from magma, which came from a now extinct volcano. It’s deemed to have a lot of importance from archaeological perspectives, with the fortress including numerous intriguing features, such as the Mirror wall, which is said to have been so polished once upon a time that the king could see his reflection in it. Additionally, its time as a center for power, however brief, in combination with its remote location, have paved the way to creating a significant legacy to Sigiriya Rock. Not to mention its significance to the Sinhalese cultures.

About Sigiriya in Sri Lanka

As was mentioned, there are many striking features to Sigiriya, which are the reason why it’s quite possibly Sri Lanka’s most visited tourist attraction.

The Gardens

The Gardens are composed of three components: the cave and boulder gardens, the terrace gardens, and the water gardens. Located on the west side of Sigiriya, the water gardens themselves are further divided into three sections, with especially the fountains remaining an impressive sight to see today. But while both the water gardens and the boulder gardens are stunning, it can be said that the terrace gardens are the most impressive among the gardens of Sigiriya in Sri Lanka, complete with a limestone staircase that runs through it. In general, these gardens are worth visiting already simply for the fact they are some of the oldest gardens still existing in the world. 

The Rock Palace

This Rock Palace was officially the king’s palace once upon a time. It is also perhaps Sigiriya’s biggest source of pride, and certainly among the biggest reasons why tourists flock to the attraction. Besides the palace, there’s the fortified fortress, as well as numerous rock carvings and sculptures, at this site.

Lion Rock Sigiriya Graffiti

Much of the Lion Rock’s Mirror Wall is covered with ancient graffiti. They were inspired by the frescoes – which you can read more about below – and in a major part feature poetry. These graffiti have been a great help in identifying new words of the Sinhala language.

Boulder Garden of Lion Rock Sigiriya

Unlike the other gardens at Sigiriya, the Boulder Garden is built in a largely asymmetrical fashion. Much of the gardens are also from a time period before Sigiriya ever became of significance to the Sinhalese, having instead been built by the monks who were the original inhabitants of the rock. Sadly, not a lot of this ancient handiwork has lasted through the times to still be admired today, although plenty of artistry and artifacts still remain to be seen today. 

Lion Staircase

This staircase was also built by King Kashyapa I, guarding the entrance to his palace. It is located on the northern side and is about all that remains of what was once a much larger structure. At its prime, the staircase was 35 meters high and 20 meters wide. 

Palace Complex of Sigiriya Lion Rock

Besides the above-mentioned qualities, the palace complex of Sigiriya Rock also featured impressive frescoes, as well as a cave named “Cobra Hood Cave”. Located within the Boulder Garden, it is a projection representation of a cobra with an open hood. This cave is typically visited on your way back from the site’s summit.

Lion Rock Frescoes

Featured in many essays about Sigiriya and making up a large wall area on the western side of the Lion Rock, these frescoes represent women with flowers in their hands. Specifically, they are located about halfway up the rock. Not many of them have survived up until today, but the ones that have remain as impressive as ever, and a lot of speculation over who these women were continues all the way until today. 

Climbing the Steps of Sigiriya

Although climbing up Sigiriya is not difficult per se, it is quite demanding. The rock stands 200 meters above water and there are 1200 steps to be conquered to get up there. Divided into six parts of climbing, the climb gets harder the further into it you get. It can take nearly 2 hours to reach the summit, but frankly you are not in any rush to get there anyway, as there are many attractions, starting with the boulder gardens, scattered on the lower stages of the climb. 

To climb Sigiriya during the best possible time, time your trip to January, February, or March, with February being the best of these months. During this time of year, the temperatures are somewhere around 28 to 32C (82-90F), with possible downpours, but mostly in the afternoons and only lasting for a short while. Even during these months, your very best bet is to climb up Sigiriya in the morning hours of the day.

Visiting Nearby Pidurangala Rock

While not as popular to visit as the Lion Rock, Pidurangala Rock is another impressive rock in the region—it’s actually almost as tall as Lion Rock! The attraction is definitely a worthwhile addition to your itinerary for discovering this part of Sri Lanka. The hike up there takes around 30 to 40 minutes, at around moderate difficulty level. It’s said to have also been a Buddhist monastery once upon a time, and there’s still a cave temple located on the trail today. From its summit, you’ll have amazing panoramic views, as well as views of the Sigiriya Fortress.

My Experience Essay

Climbing the 368 stairs to the top of  Bartolome island  in the Galapagos made my brow trickle with sweat and scaling the 468 stairs of the Florence Duomo made my lungs ache, even the measly 109 steps of the St. Simons Lighthouse in Georgia made me embarrassingly winded. If these were all examples from the past, then what would the 1200 steps of the 200m high Sigiriya rock in Sri Lanka do to me? I was about to find out and I was afraid—very afraid.

Sigiriya is an ancient palace, built in 480AD, located in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka. The UNESCO World Heritage site is known for it’s beautifully landscaped gardens, well-preserved frescos and… a crap load of stairs, all at different anxiety producing levels. But, I was convinced that the experience would be a great addition to my list of the top things to do before you die .

In the early morning, I left the safety of my cozy room at Cinnamon Hotel’s Chaaya Village Habarana  to embark on a bus road trip to the the rock. When the tour guide stopped at the bottom of Sigiriya to allow for a photo opportunity, I sensed that I may be in a bit of trouble. It looked HUGE from far away, which meant it would only grow in size as we got closer. All the agonizing pilates classes better help with climbing this rock.

Stepping out of the bus, climbing guides immediately approached each of us asking if we needed any assistance for the trek. We were warned that if you agree to an escort, it will cost you about 1000 rupees ($7.62 usd). I opted to do this climb solo, though some strong man pushing me up sounded like a solid back-up plan.

Crossing the lilypad filled moat, I saw a glimpse of hope for a leisurely climb. The stairs started in sections of about 20 at a time. This was nice. The moss filled steps were picturesque with plenty of landing pads for photo opportunities, monkeys climbed the walls and stray puppies were scampering about. Maybe climbing Sigiriya won’t be so bad after all. Wishful thinking.

Things got a little hairier as I continued on, the steps steeper and sections longer. Then there was a line forming to walk up a spiral metal staircase. In order to see the well preserved Sigiriya frescoes you need to take this route, which I did.

Carrying on I finally reached the Lions Den, a large plateau which acts as a resting ground for explorers. I was warned that if you suffer from vertigo do not go past this point and many climbers opted to turn around here. But, I pressed on hoping that vertigo would not find me.

The stairs hugged the side of the rock and, though they seemed secure, looking down took my breath away in more ways than one. Climbers of all ages were attempting this part of the trek and you could visibly see the fatigue on their faces. I am sure mine looked the same. After stepping foot on the last step of my ascent, before looking at the picturesque view before me, I congratulated myself for the feat that had just been accomplished. And I silently thanked my pilates instructor.

Then, I took a look around to see beauty in a form that I had never witnessed before. At the top was weathered stone ruins, lush green land, a water filled pool and a perfect view. The ideal reward. After taking in the scene, I started my decent, which in some areas was more dangerous than the ascent. Plus, it was a bit of a labyrinth to get out, lacking any signs and each set of stairs leading to another outlook.

In the end, after a total of two and a half hours, there was no choice but to exit through a section of souvenirs (of course), where I gratefully paid 300 rupees ($2.29 USD) for a diet coke, extremely expensive by typical Sri Lankan standards. As I walked towards the bus at the bottom of Sigiriya monkeys roamed close by, most likely wanting a sip of my overpriced diet coke. Not gonna happen.

My legs were wobbling when I climbed the last few stairs for the day, the ones onto the bus, where I plopped into my seat and took a well deserved nap.

Have you already visited this majestic Sigiriya in Sri Lanka or is it in your dreams to do so in the near future? As one of the most fascinating sights to see in all of Asia, surely you’ll want to venture out to Sri Lanka and the Lion Rock one day in your life! Especially when you are in Sri Lanka, you ought not to miss out on visiting this legendary fortress that’s still gaining curiosity among archeologists today. 

Sigiriya Essentials Where is Sigiriya?: Sigiriya is located in Sri Lanka’s Central Province. More specifically, it is located in the northern part of Matale District. Dambulla is perhaps the closest town to Sigiriya. How to get to Sigiriya?: You can get to Sigiriya by bus from Dambulla, from where you can catch the bus at 30 minute intervals every day between 6:30AM and 6:00PM. If you are not staying in Sigiriya for the night, it is highly recommended you do not miss the last bus back to Dambulla as it is still a 25km distance between the two places. You can get to Dambulla from most cities, including Kandy. If you’re coming by car, you can reach Sigiriya by driving on A1 or A6.  The easiest choice would be to join a tour group like the all-inclusive Polonnaruwa & Sigiriya Tour departing from Dambulla. Opening Time of Sigiriya Lion Rock for Visitors?: The site opens for visitors at 7AM each day of the week. The last time of admission is at 5PM, and the Lion Rock closes for the day at 5:30PM. Entrance Fees for Lion Rock Sigiriya: For foreign tourists, the entrance fee to Sigiriya is $30 USD— and the ancient site is worth every penny! Can I Buy a Sigiriya Lion Rock Entrance Ticket Online?: Yes! If you place on venturing to Sigiriya on your own you can book your ticket online in advance at this link ! This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through my links, I earn a commission that helps to keep this blog running—at no extra cost to you. For more information read my full disclosure .

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2 thoughts on “A Guide to Sigiriya in Sri Lanka (aka: Lion Rock)”

i was really planning to go thank you for your guide

Thank you for sharing this information its informative

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100 Words Essay On I Went On A Trip To Sigiriya In English

My trip to Sigiriya was nothing short of a magical one!

Situated in Sri Lanka, it is the perfect tourist spot for history lovers like me! 

Also referred to as Sinhagiri, Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress. This famous world heritage spot is, in fact, the ruins of a palace atop a massive 200-meter-high rock, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs and other structures. The rock, interestingly, is a lava plug left over from an ancient long extinct volcano.

Everyone ought to visit Sigiriya, the Lion City, at least once in their lives!

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Sigiriya Rock Fortress Sri Lanka

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What is Sigiriya ?

Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress and palace built by King Kashyapa during the reign of 473 – 495 which is standing majestically 660 feet straight up. It is located in the northern Matale district near the town of Dambulla in central province of Sri Lanka. The word Sigiriya or the Sinhagiri means the Lion’s Rock where you have to climb up 1200 steps before you reach the Lion Rock Fortress on top of Sigiriya. There are several platforms that break up the steps and allow for a little break if you need it. Today Sigiriya rock fortress is one of the most famous Archeological Treasure and UNESCO named Sigiriya rock as a World Heritage in 1982 under the name “Ancient City of Sigiriya Sri Lanka”. 

Architecture of Sigiriya Lion Rock

This fortified garden city of Sigiriya rock fortress is an exceptional master piece of ancient urban planning / landscape & architecture / construction technology /exceptional hydraulic engineering & management / ancient fine art with unique harmony between nature and human imagination and all these living examples proved that it was a Well Planned City & Palace in 5th Century AD. Sigiriya rock fortress is recognized as one of the best preserved surviving ancient urban sites in Asia from the 1st millennium or simply it’s a Living Museum. Sigiriya World Heritage Site is versatile and many-faceted appeal, and it is one of Sri Lanka’s ancient political capitals and Sri Lanka’s most sensational heritage site.

History of Sigiriya Rock Fortress 

Historical research carried out at the site has brought to light evidence to show that the origins of Sigiriya date back to pre-historic times. Situated at the base of the Sigiriya rock of its eastern side, is a monadnock named Aligala (Elephant Rock). In a cave underneath this, excavation have revealed remains of pre-historic human settlements that existed here around 5,500 years B.P. In addition, there is evidence of human habitation in this area, as far back in history as the 9th — 10th centuries B.C. 

In the 3rd century B.C. a Buddhist monastery had been established at Sigiriya rock fortress. Thirty cave-shelters with drip-ledges, which accommodate monks, have been identified at the base of the great rock so far. In eight of them, details of donations of cave shelters have been inscribed in Brahmi script. All the principal structures that are found today in Sigiriya, have been erected during the reign of King Kasyapa (A.D. 477 - 495), who chose to make Sigiriya as his seat of administration. According to the eminent archaeologist Prof: Senerath Paranavithana, Sigiriya reflects the sensuousness of a pleasure-loving king, who modeled the city  on  the   mythical   Alakamanda   of god Kuvera. Indian and Roman coins and pottery belonging to the Sassanian dynasty of Persia (Iran) found in Sigiriya rock fortress as well as the affinity to Persian styles in the creation of pleasure gardens all indicate commercial and cultural relations with foreign countries during this brief period.

Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress in 7th AD 

Subsequently however, in the 6th and 7th centuries A.D., Sigiriya ceased to be of political importance and once again became the abode of Buddhist monks. During this period, the cave-shelters with drip-ledges which belonged to the earlier monastic phase were further improved. Additional shrines such as stupa, image house and bodhi tree shrine were constructed. This second phase of the monastic development continued up to the 12th - 13th centuries A.D.

19th Century Sigiriya Rock 

In the centuries that followed, Sigiriya was totally abandoned, until the 19th century, when it was used as n military out-post of the kings of Kandy. Later, it was a British military. officer, Jonathan Forbes in 1832, who once again brought Sigiriya out of its obscurity, back into historical focus. In 1894, under H.C.P. Bell the Archaeological Department commenced archaeological activities in Sigiriya. Nearly a century later, in 1982, the Central Cultural Fund took over the task, which it continues with great success, to date.

City Planning of Sigiriya Rock 

The Lion rock Sigiriya has two fortified precincts where the western precinct encompasses 90 hectares, and the eastern precinct covers 40 hectares. The western area was the royal park area, a symmetrically-designed pleasure garden with elaborate water-retaining structures, as well as surface and subsurface hydraulic systems. It is surrounded by three ramparts and two moats, forming a rectangular area whose inner precincts measure about 700 meters from east to west and 500 meters from north to south.

On the other side of the Lion rock Sigiriya, the eastern area appears to have been a ceremonial precinct with a large central pavilion as its only permanent structure. Kasyapa and his royal family lived their lives within these walls. Moving inward from the two precincts in an ever-ascending fashion are a series of boulder gardens and then terraced gardens, leading to the entrance to the Sigiriya rock. Access to the rock is gained via a long passageway that begins on the west side of the terrace gardens, and winds northward along the Mirror Wall to the Lion Platform.

Water Garden / Landscape & Gardening of sigiriya

Among the significant features of Sigiriya, the Water Gardens are especially noteworthy. Though outwardly the Water gardens appear to be one garden system in Concept, four distinct parts are clearly discernible in its creation, and at present they are called the Water   Garden Nos. 1, 2 and 3 and the Miniature Water Garden.

Lion Rock Sigiriya Graffiti

Main features of Sigiriya rock are Sigiri graffiti, Lion’s paw entrance, Boulders garden, Mirror wall, Fresco paintings of female figures, Extensive networks of landscaped garden, Water gardens, Moats, Ramparts and the remains of the palace.

The lion rock Sigiriya Graffiti were written on the surface of the Mirror Wall at Sigiriya. Scribbled on the wall are over 1800 pieces of prose, poetry and commentary written by ancient tourists. These graffiti offer a fascinating insight into the history of Sigiriya and the evolution of language in Sri Lanka over a period of 800 years. The majority of the graffiti refer to the beautiful paintings of semi-nude females. These graffiti confirm that this site was the residence of King Kashyapa who ruled from 477 to 495 AD. The texts also suggest that the females depicted in the frescoes are the ladies of the King's royal court - the ladies of the harem. The graffiti range from statements of awe, declarations of love, commentary, curses, laments, diary entries, or mere statements of visit.

Many demonstrate a very high level of literacy and a deep appreciation of art and poetry written in a Sinhala, Sanskrit and Tamil. These early scribblers have left us priceless insights into the past. Out of these paintings 685 individuals identified so far, 12 were women, over half identified themselves by name, many noted their social rank, and some even mentioned where they came from towns like Weligama and Ritigala in Sri Lanka. The majority of these visitors appear to have been from the elite of society: royalty, officials, professions, and clergy. There were also soldiers, archers, and even metalworkers. Over 1000 unique words have been identified.

Boulder Garden of Lion Rock Sigiriya 

The Boulder Garden comprises sloping terrain around the central rock which is dotted with boulders of various sizes. The routes to the palace on the rock summit are laid out through the boulder garden as winding pathways that are punctuated by natural boulder arches.  Among the unique features of this garden are the Cistern Rock  deriving its name from a large cistern formed out of the natural boulder and large granite slabs, the ‘Audience Hall’ where a five-meter long main throne is carved out of the living rock,  the  ’Preaching  Rock’  where a seat is carved out at the flattened edge of a fairly high boulder, and the ‘ Asana Cave’ where a seat is carved out inside a natural cave. Rock caves with drip-ledges and shrines used during the periods when Sigiriya was a Buddhist monastery are also to be seen in this area. The Terraced Garden of Sigiriya Lion Rock lies in the high ground between the Boulder Garden and the Sigiriya rock and it is fashioned into a series of roughly concentric terraces by means of stone retaining walls.

Lion Staircase

The final ascent to the royal palace atop Sigiriya rock lies through the Lion Staircase, which faces north and has two huge paws  of  a  lion in front. These lion-paws, made of brick and covered with plaster, are the remnants of a fore part of lion figure that must have once stood there.

Palace Complex of Sigiriya Lion Rock 

The Palace  Complex  on  the   top of the Sigiriya rock is around 1.5 hectares in extent. The principal monument to be seen there is the royal palace which lies towards the west. The palace garden consisting’     of a  large  artificial  pool  and. other garden features are located to the east. Below the palace, on a rock facing the east is a throne carved out of the natural rock.

Lion Rock Paintings

The fifth century A.D. paintings are indisputably the zenith of all artistic creations of  Sri Lanka. These paintings, found in a depression on the western side of the rock-face, nineteen in number, are figures of exquisitely beautiful damsels, floating among clouds. According to the Sigiri graffiti (verses scratched on the Mirror Wall over the ages) however, there had been five hundred such figures painted all over the western and northern rock-faces, originally.

Many theories attempt to interpret the. identity of the beautiful women portrayed in these ancient masterpieces.    According to H.C.P Bell, they are Kasyapa’s concubines, on their way to worship at the Pidurangala temple near by, bearing flowers for offering. According to the eminent scholar Ananda Cnomaraswamy, the damsels are Apsaras or goddesses. The eminent Sri Lankan archaeologist . Prof. Senerat Paranvitana offers a very original interpretation of the identity of the Sigiriya damsels, which maintains that the damsels are symbolic representations of rain-clouds and lightning. According to this interpretation, the dark- skinned maidens (Meghalatha)  are symbols of rain clouds and fair golden skin once Vajji Kumari symbolized lightning. Apart  from  these  paintings,   Caves   in the Boulder Garden also appear to have contained   paintings.      The  Deraniyagala Cave, Cobra-hood Cave and Asana Cave show clear traces of paintings. In addition to this, it has been recently discovered that there had been paintings on the outer surface of the Mirror Wall. Though these paintings are all faded, one female figure, apparently floating among clouds, can be discerned.  The Terracotta figurines, closely resembling tire figures in the. paintings have been discovered at Sigiriya during archeological excavation. According to Prof. Senaka Bandaranayake, who headed the major archeological projects in Sigiriya, these may be replicas of Sigiriya Damsals sold to visitors as souvenirs in the past.

How Sigiriya related to Ramayana Yatra Sri Lanka ?

Cobra hood cave & ramayana yatra sri lanka .

Cobra hood cave also known as the “Parumaka Naguliya Lena”, is a natural geological formation projected as a cobra hood located within the boulder garden of Sigiriya Rock Fortress complex with plastered interior of the cave once embellished with floral and animal paintings. This is also part of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress complex (UNESCO World Heritage) 

According to the Palm Leaf Book (Puskola Potha) of Ravana Watha (Ravana Story) the architect of the Sigiriya was a Danava called Maya Danava. He built up Sigiriya on the instructions given by King Visthavasa (Vishravasamuni) the father of Ravana. During that period the Sigiriya was called Alakamandava and during the period of King Kuwera it was called Cithranakuta. After the death of Ravana, Vibeeshana became the king and he shifted the kingdom to Kelaniya.

The man-made drip ledge and Brahmi inscription of the 3rd century B.C. associated with this cave indicate that the cave has served as a Buddhist monastery / dwelling for monks. The paintings on the rock ceiling has floral and stylized animal motifs with a geometric composition. The brick paved floor of the cave has been finished with lime plaster. The boulder connected with the cave has been sliced from the mother boulder and resembles the hood of a cobra. A fallen off piece of the boulder is still to be seen in front of the cave. 

Therefore hhistorians believe Sigiriya to have a connection with Ramayana. It is believed that the plateau top was the site of Ravana’s majestic palace, made of solid gold and crafted by Kubera, the God of Wealth, around 50 centuries ago. One look at the site, and you would know how big an architectural feat this place must have been. As believed, one of these caves is where King Ravana imprisoned Princess Sita, after abducting her. 

Skeletal discovered at Cobra Hood Cave Sigiriya The archaeological excavations conducted at the cave / rock shelter has led to the discovery of nine human skeletons. Excavations at the Sigiriya Cobra Hood Cave excavated what appears to be a Middle Historic Period burial site. The excavations yielded skeletal remains of nine individuals. This study suggests that at the time of death these individuals were young healthy adult males of 152 cm or more in height. Burial practice has been in an extended position in a west-east orientation with hands clasped in front and the face turned towards the south. No burial offerings or other ritual objects were found.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress FAQ 

What is sigiriya famous for.

Sigiriya is a best-preserved ancient rock fortress and one of the archeological treasure in South Asia. It’s a masterpiece of ancient urban planning / landscape & architecture / construction technology /exceptional hydraulic engineering & management / ancient fine art with unique harmony between nature and human imagination. Thus UNESCO declared this site as a World Heritage 

Who Built the Sigiriya rock?

A Sri Lankan King Kashyapa built the famous Sigiriya lion rock 

How many steps are in Lion Rock Sigiriya to climb? Approximately 1,200 steps are to be climbed to the summit. 

What is the height of the lion rock sigiriya? Its 660 Feet from surrounding plain 

Is it hard or danger to climb lion rock Sigiriya ? Its is not danger to climb but make sure you are healthy enough to climb 1,200. 

Can senior citizen climb Sigiriya lion rock fortress? Yes people do and you may take time and climb. There are places for you to take rest and climb.  We suggest you to keep senior citizen in nearby restaurant and climb. Also you may let them to visit the Sigiriya museum close to the main gate. 

Can I climb lion rock with my infant or kid ? Not recommended but people do climb with kids like 8 Y and above. 

Opening time of Sigiriya lion rock for visitors ? 7.00 AM to 5.00 PM

Entrance fees for lion rock Sigiriya  30 USD per person / Foreign  15 USD per person only for SAARC Countries nationals (Need to submit the passport to get this discount) 

What is the best time to climb Sigiriya lion rock? Ideally in the morning 8 – 10 Am or 3 – 5 PM to avoid hot sun 

What is the temperature of Sigiriya lion rock ? Approximately 27 – 30 C 

Can I buy Sigiriya lion rock entrance fees ticket online ? Not yet as of now but this will be online soon

What is the dress code for Sigiriya Lion rock? Sigiriya is not a temple or any religious place and you can wear your own dress. 

CCF – Central Cultural Fund Sri Lanka 

SLTDA – Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority 

SLITHM – Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management 

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Thursday, October 4, 2012

• Sigiriya Rock Fortress

110 comments:

King Khashyapa's brother is King Mugalan. Not Mihidu. Please correct this.

In this essay have many spelling problems

Verry important information

Thanks for this thees are very important informations.

Sigiria is an ancient city in Sri Lanka

Every one have mistake don't say like that ok

It is very nice , Thank you

Yes Mugalan (moggallana).

Very important details

Yah it is Mugalan not Moggalana

Nope.these two names are correct (Mugalan/Moggallana)

King Khashyapa's brother is Mugalan.

Very important details 👈

Nice post and pics about sigiriya. Sigiriya is truly awesome place see this post to know more about Sigiriya.

I really helpful this thanks you 👍

No word to tell.it's a very Valuable place in Sri Lanka.

It's true

Very use full information

Information is very fruitful

Kasyapa's brother is Mugalan .not mihidu .But information is very useful

Don' you know? King kashyapa's brother is MUGALAN Please correct this

This was very helpful for my studies. Thank youall.😄😄😄❤❤❤👍👍👍👌👌👌✋✋✋

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Yes it is very helpful for my assignment on the topic of the sigiriya rock. Thank you so so so much.❤❤❤❤❤💗💗💗💗😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍❤❤❤❤❤

Don't you know king Kashyapa's brother king Mugallan?

Shut up dear don't ask like that

You shut up asshole

Aww! This is damn helpful to understand the history and their knowledge!

Very interesting

மிகவும் நன்று🙌🙌 என்றும் இவ்வாறு

It's very useful❤️ thank you... but you have to correct king kahsyapa's brother is mugalan not mihindu😒

Thank you. It's very useful for my son's studies.

වැරදි අදහස්

Nice.but there ara small mistakes.

It is very interesting

Thanks for help me...��

Helpful🌎🌎✌️✌️

Very helpful

Nice..but there are small mistake...

It is nice...but you have to correct quickly king kashapa's brother is mugalan not mihidhu..don't chainge our(sihala nation) chronicle ....thank you..

this is very useful for my studies,thanks

This is very useful for everyone and thanks a lot for this description

King kashysppa's brother is mugalan. And this is very helpful for my essay. Thank you. The picture are clear. Last trip o went to sigiriya as a trip without a guide and a notebook. So, I couldn't get all the information in my mind. But this information made me to get a lot of information. And for the last. I say, thank you

Spelling mistakes are most in this essay.

What are they????

It is very helpful

Mugalan is king kashyapa's brother..not mihidu

Useful essay

That's most helpful thanks ✌️

It is very helpful essay thank you so much

Thanks this is very helpful thanks 🖤🖤

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i had seen hydraulikpresse gebraucht in that fortress what do you think there were getting used in that fortress ??

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