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Sigiriya is an absolutely fabulous island country, which has a unique history and breathtaking natural beauty. This island country possesses one of the most amazing monuments in the world – Sigiriya or Lion Rock Fortress. This fabulous rock stands out from the lands of the central part of the country near Dambulla and represents a marvelous example of engineering and architecture. Sigiriya is considered to be one of the most popular places of interest in the country and is a World Heritage site of UNESCO from 1982.
Background
The history of Sigiriya dates back to the times of the fifth century AD, when King Kashyapa I (477-495 AD) ruled. Sigiriya had a dramatic history with many betrayals and events. According to the chronicles, Kashyapa was a son of King Dhatusena of Anuradhapura. However, he was not able to get the crown from his father, because it belonged to his half-brother – Moggallana. To become a king and get the crown from his father, he betrayed him.
With his brother's potential for vengeance on his mind, King Kashyapa had the idea to build a fortified castle at the top of a massive rock that stood 200 meters high in the very center of the island. He wanted to create a safe place not only to live but also a fortified one where he could feel protected from enemies. In this way, Sigiriya was born — a perfect example of ancient town planning. But the time of Kashyapa as a king was not long. After some time, his brother Moggallana came with an army and reclaimed the crown. He defeated King Kashyapa who committed suicide. After his death, Sigiriya turned into a Buddhist monastery.
Architectural Brilliance
Sigiriya is not just a fortress but an entire city complex which has been built with great imagination and expertise. This complex comprises of moats, ramparts, gardens and a palace constructed at the top of the rock. The urban design of Sigiriya shows the aesthetic beauty as well as the utility of the construction.
At the foot of the rock lies the water garden which is believed to be one of the oldest examples of landscaping. This garden is built with symmetrically arranged pools, fountains, islands and underground water ways. It is quite amazing that even in this era, some of these fountains are operational during the rainy seasons.
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| water gardens |
The boulder gardens, which are situated between the outer and inner wall, are yet another attraction of the monument. Large, natural rocks have been strategically placed in the monument, and staircases and pathways lead up to the principal rock. Some rocks supported pavilions and meditation houses used by Buddhist monks.
Going further up, the terraces are encountered that demonstrate the perfect blend of nature and human imagination. The terraces were landscaped in order to beautify the rock and to act as defensive points at the same time.
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The Lion’s Gate and the Climb
The word “Sigiriya” comes from the words “Sinha Giri,” which mean “Lion Rock.” The main entrance into the palace at the very top of Sigiriya Rock was constructed in the shape of a huge lion. The tourists had to enter through the opened mouth of the lion and climb up the stairs between its legs. Nowadays, nothing more than the huge lion’s paws remains, but they give us an idea of how magnificent everything looked.
The total number of steps from the bottom to the top of Sigiriya is about 1,200. They are quite narrow and are supported by the iron walkways that are located on the rock itself. It is amazing to see the view from above.
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| The Lion’s Gat |
The Mirror Wall and Ancient Graffiti
In the middle portion of the rock stands one of the most unique structures in Sigiriya – the Mirror Wall. In earlier times, this smooth-plastered portion of the rock would reflect the image of the king as he passed by. People who came from all over the world inscribed their own verses and poems on this wall, glorifying the beauty of the rock and its paintings. The oldest written verses dating back to the 8th century are one of the earliest forms of Sinhala poetry ever found.
The Sigiriya Frescoes – Timeless Art
The other feature that makes Sigiriya well-known and popular is the impressive number of murals found on the western side of the rock face. The paintings show celestial beauties, also known as “Apsaras.” These pictures illustrate maidens wearing ornaments and colorful clothes. They show elegance and perfection of the art of the 5th century. It is believed that there used to be about 500 such paintings, but now only several dozens can be seen.
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| sigiri Apsaras |
These murals have been created with natural colors, which have been extracted from minerals and organic compounds. These paintings are regarded as some of the finest works of early Asian art and show the excellence of ancient Sri Lankan artists.The Palace on the Summit
The palace of King Kashyapa is located at the top of the rock. The area covered by the palace is about 1.6 hectares. Here, one can see walls, foundations, water tanks and terraces. This palace was constructed in such a way that it fitted into the surroundings and offered views of the plain land. There is also the throne of the king and pools in the palace that show that the palace was magnificent.
At the summit, there is also a watch tower, and this helped to detect any possible attack on the palace from any angle. Even though it is ruins, the great palace is impressive even after so many years.Cultural and Archaeological Significance
Not only is Sigiriya a great architectural feat but a cultural and historic one as well. It is a testament to the wealth of civilization, ingenuity, and strength of Sri Lanka’s civilization. The sophisticated design of the area showcases the understanding of geometry, hydrology, and urban planning even before the advent of technology.
As a testament to its value and significance, it was inscribed into the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites way back in 1982. Its upkeep is now handled by the Central Cultural Fund of Sri Lanka.
Sigiriya Today,
In today’s context, Sigiriya is one of the top tourist attractions of Sri Lanka attracting tourists not just from within the country but also from abroad. Sigiriya can be seen as one of the main tourism sites located in the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka which includes Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Tourism sites like Sigiriya attract tourists every year in order to see the ruins, paintings and scenic beauty at the place.
Tourism in Sigiriya has contributed in the economic development of the place through sustainable development. However, environmental tourism has still remained a priority for the place’s authorities.
Conclusion
But Sigiriya is much more than that. Sigiriya is proof of human ambition and creativity, as well as the eternal link between nature and civilization. The story of Sigiriya from treachery and sorrow, to glory and appreciation, is fully in tune with the nature of Sri Lanka – tough, forward-looking, and immortal.
The majesty of the Lion Gate, the enigmas of the frescoes, and the peacefulness of the peak – all of these are full of the tales of their own, which have been immortalized. Thus, Sigiriya is proof of the fact that in the days gone by, not only did people conquer the world, but also created immortal beauty.
Sigiriya is truly one of those genuine wonders of the ancient world. It is the precious jewel of Sri Lanka that will shine forever.
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