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Sigiriya, a fortress-palace built by a ferocious king in the fifth century A.D. and perched on a massive rock cliffside overlooking the forests of central Sri Lanka, is just as impressive today as it was then. Sigiriya, also known as the "Lion Rock," is probably Sri Lanka's most photographed wonder.
Its water and rock gardens, famous frescos, and palace ruins at the peak continue to attract people from all walks of life. Despite the rock's folklore and the numerous interesting facts already known to the public, Sigiriya's extraordinary past and best-kept secrets continue to awe and amaze visitors.
The Fascinating History That Lies Beneath Sigiriya
Sigiriya stands in the northern Matale District in Sri Lanka's Central Province, not far from the modern town of Dambulla. It is a historical and archaeological site dominated by a massive rock column towering over 180 meters.
An ancient Sri Lankan chronicle describes this location as having once supported a sizable forest. It was designated as the new capital by King Kashyapa (AD 477–495) after being transformed into a hill by storms and landslides. On top of the rock, he constructed his palace and adorned its walls with colorful artwork. He carved a giant lion's head as a doorway on a flat area halfway up the rock.
The impressive fortification served as the seat of the Sinhalese kingdom until the defeat of Kashyapa in 495 AD. The capital moved from Sigiriya to other places like Polonnaruwa after that. However, centralized authority in Sri Lanka began to erode by the 12th century. Eventually, the once-important governmental centers, such as Sigiriya, fell into disuse as the Sinhalese fled to the island's southwest.
Today, Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most well-preserved examples of ancient urban planning.
The Unsolved Puzzle That Is Sigiriya's Defenses
Visitors at Sigiriya must use a drawbridge to cross a moat that is 15 feet deep and was likely once teeming with crocodiles before entering the site. A 7-foot-tall wall is said to have surrounded the edge of the moat's foundation. ù
Typically, they built a canal around a fortress, with defensive walls constructed behind it to attack invaders as they waded through crocodile-infested waters. Historians and tourists who visit the historic site of Sigiriya are curious about the disappearing defenses. The drawbridge's lack of protection by gatehouses is one of these issues, and the moat's incomplete perimeter is another.
The Water And Boulder Gardens, The King's Pleasure Spots
Pools flank both sides of the main walkway leading up to Sigiriya Rock. The length of each pool is proportional to its other half. Legend has it that King Kashyapa, who had 500 wives, constructed the "pleasure pools" in the water gardens so he could watch his queens relax in the water all day long. But it would have been counterproductive to have the second pool set up similarly, and he would have built an elevated pavilion to enjoy the pools if the rumors were true.
After exploring the water gardens at Sigiriya Rock's base, visitors will reach the boulder gardens. There is a striking contrast between the symmetrical gardens below and the gardens above. A network of routes leads in and out of the area via the rock archways formed at the boundary. One of the boulder gardens features a built-in amphitheater. Legend has it that King Kashyapa used this stage to entertain his subjects.
The Frescoes Of Sigiriya And Their Symbolism
All visitors to Sri Lanka hope to see the famous Sigiriya paintings, also known as Sigiriya frescoes, up close on the renowned lion rock. These writings are said to be over a thousand years old and formerly covered the entire mountain. Around 700 inscriptions on the wall dating back to the eighth through tenth century have been translated so far.
Nearly 500 feet in width and 100 feet in height, the West wall contains 500 frescoes that tell a story. One of the mysteries surrounding the frescoes is whether or not the monks intentionally made the female figures distracting. Some rumors say that the frescoes represent a unified Sri Lanka under Yakka dominion.
What Is Left Of The Lion Gate
The Lion Gate previously stood in the center of the courtyard to which the Mirror Wall now connects. Two huge paws on either side of a stairwell are all that's left of the building. The lion's head was crouching between the paws, and the steps used to go through its gaping maw. On this rocky crag, a kneeling guard would have had to stay alert or risk falling to his death.
The massive rock was raised on splints to be dumped on the attacking force below. The lack of bridges or overpasses on the roads leading to the Lion Gate is a major flaw in this design, and they either never existed or have been dismantled for a long time after the lion's head was removed.
Visiting Sigiraya Rock
The dry season, which lasts from late December to early April, is ideal for a trip to Sigiriya, with March offering the clearest skies and the slightest chance of rain. It's open daily from 7 AM to 7 PM. The ticket price is approximately USD 30, so keep that in mind.
The ticket booth for the Sigiriya Rock Fortress is open daily between the hours of 6:30 AM and 6:00 PM. Visitors can find it on a small street just off the main gate. Purchase tickets before entering the complex, as visitors are turned back if they still need them. Payment is only in cash, and while there is an ATM next to the ticket office, don't count on it working.