The iconic rocky outcrop of SIGIRIYA is located approximately 147 kilometers from Colombo International Airport and takes nearly four hours to reach. Without a doubt, Sri Lanka’s single most dramatic sight rises from the central plains.
In 1982, SIGIRIYA was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List with another two ancient sights, which are Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. It has the nickname of the "Eighth Wonder of the World." People who witnessed it will tell the story.
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
“Present day wonder of the world with full of astonishments and master piece of mankind”
SIGIRIYA was a Buddhist monastery at the time of the 3rd century BC. Several rock shelters are located on the northern and western slopes of the boulder-strewn hills around the SIGIRIYA rock. Rock inscriptions surrounded by SIGIRIYA witness that all these rock shelters or caves are donations to the Buddhist monks.
In the latter part of the 4th century, SIGIRIYA became a rock fortress under the rule of King Kashyapa from 477 to 495 AD. He killed his father, King Dhatusena of Anuradhapura, to gain his wealth and power. King Kashyapa was not the rightful heir to the throne, but King Moggallan. Kashyapa was the king’s son by a non-royal consort. After King Dhatusena died, Prince Moggallan fled to South India in order to save his life. Afraid of any attack by Prince Moggallan, Kashyapa moved to a more secure SIGIRIYA. SIGIRIYA rock became a fortress due to the application of more security for the life of King Kashyapa. It became a more complex city with a palace on the rock summit, a unique garden, and a fortress with a highly defensive structure.
Located on top of the central rock at an elevation of 180 meters above the surrounding plain and 360 meters above mean sea level, The city plan bears a rectangular shape and runs westwards and eastwards from the main rock. SIGIRIYA is a masterpiece of ancient architecture and is considered to be one of the greatest urban planning sites in the world. Starting with the outer rampart, the outer moat, the middle rampart, the inner moat, and the inner rampart. Royal gardens contain water gardens with bathing pools, little islands with pavilions that were used as dry season palaces, boulder gardens and terraced gardens.
Within the entire site, water resource management and technology is mind blowing. Natural water fountains in the water garden area show how elementary scientific principles were used with both the force of gravity and pressure.
The most famous feature of SIGIRIYA is the 4th century paintings found on the rock. Halfway up the rock on the main route, you will find a sheltered gallery in the sheer rock face. Even today, the paintings are in remarkably good condition and the colors are still glowing. These paintings are similar in style to the rock paintings at Ajanta in India. But there are specific characters that change.
The mirror wall beyond the fresco gallery is a three-meter-high wall. This wall was coated with a smooth glaze. Originally, this wall was so highly polished. Made of brick masonry and plastered in a bright white color. Later people who visited SIGIRIYA and its frescos used to note their impressions of women in the gallery above. The graffiti was inscribed between the 6th and 14 centuries.
At the northern end of the rock, two big lion’s paws will be on a larger platform. Lion’s Paws are the entrance to the summit and palace.
The amazing terraced summit of the rock covers 1.6 hectares or 4 arce (square feet 172223). Where did King Kashyapa build his palace. The palace complex consists of three distinct parts, which are the outer palace, the inner palace, and the palace garden. Today, only the low foundation structure remains, but the layout and ground plan of the palace are still clearly visible. A large, beautiful, rock-cut swimming pool, 27M-by-21M in size, and a smooth stone slab where it’s believed to be the place for meditation are still visible.
After the 14th century, this complex was abandoned. In recorded history, only King Kashyapa ruled the country from SIGIRIYA. In 1894, British archaeologist H.C.P. Bell rediscovered the ruins of SIGIRIYA. Another British archaeologist, John Still, further excavated SIGIRIYA in 1907. During the period from 1930 to 1940, Sri Lankan pioneering archeologist and epigraphist Prof. Senarath Paranavitana carried out future research and discovered many more.
• SIGIRIYA will open every day from 7am to 7pm. But Frescoes area will closed by 5pm. Due to covid19 situation times will change and it is always better to get advices from your guide or make a call to SIGIRIYA project office at SIGIRIYA – Contact numbers are +94 662 286 945 or +94 662 286 947
• The best time to visit SIGIRIYA is in the morning before 10am and in the evening after 2pm.
• Take some time and visit the SIGIRIYA Museum as it will give you good knowledge and a clear picture of what you are going to witness next. Your entrance ticket includes museum entrance fees.
• Take a 1L water bottle, sun cream, a cap or a hat, and wear jogging shoes.
• Do not walk on brick walls and monuments.
• Do not walk across the lawns in the garden area.
• Playing musical instruments, loud speakers, radios, and making loud noises around the Lion’s Paw area is totally prohibited.
• If you have a good camera, then remember to take it as amazing nature and sites await you.
"Whenever I travel around Sri Lanka, I gather knowledge and capture sweet memories. As a blogger, it’s my utmost effort to share my knowledge with you and make your travel experience more meaningful."