How to Discover Sigiriya Rock Fortress – Discover the wonders of the Lion Rock!
A visit to Sigiriya is quite the experience! The imposing rock embodies centuries of history, betrayal, and architectural and engineering secrets that are still not fully understood to this day. Here’s how you can experience this amazing attraction worthy of being called the 8th wonder of the world like never before!
History of Sigiriya
The monolith has long lured in settlers. A society of meditative Buddhist bhikkhus lived around the caves at the foot of Sigiriya during the 3rd century BCE. However, it was during the 5th century CE that Sigiriya grew to a rash but astonishing significance in Sri Lankan history. King Kassapa was the son of the righteous King Dhatusena. He had his father killed, and to escape capture from the rightful heir, his brother Mogallana, he moved the kingdom from Anuradhapura to the inaccessible summit of Sigiriya. It soon transformed into a Royal Palace, with elegant pavilions, water gardens, rock pools and beautiful frescoes. The rock converted to an enormous recumbent lion with a head and foreparts made of brick! Unfortunately, only the majestic paws remain to this day. King Kassapa’s kingdom lasted only for 18 years. In 495 CE, the advancing forces of Moggallana surrounded Sigiriya. Kassapa resisted capture and ended his life with his sword.
The Water Gardens
Facing the main western entrance to Sigiriya are the well-maintained Water Gardens of the palace. The lawns are carefully tended to this day and have ponds, all arranged symmetrically. Some water channels and a fountain embellish the gardens.
The Rock Gardens
The Rock Gardens display a notable difference from the symmetry found at the Water Gardens. It is comprised of shrouds of thick forest, with pathways intertwining between massive boulders and rocky arches. Most of the boulders have extended niches; these would have initially been supports for wooden pavilions that stood on nearly every boulder. It is believed that it was in this garden of boulders that the bhikkhus of Sigiriya had lived hundreds of years before it became part of the palace. The remnants of the community of monks can be seen to this day, amongst the myriad caverns and shelters.
The Damsels of Sigiriya
A spiral metal staircase will lead you to a hidden cavity, which is the abode of Sigiriya’s celebrated frescoes – the Sigiriya Damsels. Painted on the orders of King Kassapa, the stunning murals are likely the biggest ever project, attempted on a rock face! It depicts 21 attractive, bare-chested ladies, covered in fluffy clouds, waist down. Many archaeologists believe the artwork would have covered the whole expanse of the crevice! The women are shown scattering petals and presenting bowls of fruit. These paintings are remarkable, and quite unlike those that you would usually encounter in ancient Sri Lanka as most artists liked to focus on the artistic portrayal of Buddhist themes.
The Mirror Wall
A unique sight in Sigiriya is the polished Wall of Mirrors. The shiny plaster is a result of a mixture of burnished lime, beeswax, egg whites and forest honey. It used to be so shiny, that it reflected people's images on its walls! Many visitors to Sigiriya covered this wall with ancient graffiti over the last 1,500 years. The graffiti includes countless brief poems, impressions of the rock, and scribbles, praising the beauty of the damsels. The oldest graffiti dates back to the 7th century CE.
The Summit
The summit, of course, will be the apex of the whole experience! For aerial views, air taxi services such as Cinnamon Air can airlift you to the very top to experience this magnificence from above. It will be one of the best things to do in Sri Lanka! The summit is scattered with the remnants and foundations of what would have been Kassapa's palace. At the lower end of the summit, there is a sequence of terraces that would have been gardens once upon a time. There is also the throne, and rock pools with fresh water collected to this day. Not forgetting, of course, the spectacular view of the surrounding thick jungles. One can certainly imagine a time when King Kassapa may have kept watch, expecting the impending forces of his brother.