Sigiriya

Sigiriya is an ancient palace built on the top of a rock. The entrance to this rock was shaped like a lion`s mouth. Therefore this rock was called Sinha Giri or Sigiriya. It is one of the wonders in the world. Sigiriya was listed as the world heritage site by the UNESCO in 1982. Sigiriya is in the central province of Sri Lanka. It is situated 10 miles off Dambulla in the district of Mathale.

Sigiriya was built by king Kashyapa in 5th century. It is a historical as well as place of tourist attraction. Sigiriya is considered as the oldest planned city with a fortress of king Kashyapa. This steep rock is 600 feet in height. King Kashyapa ruled from there for eighteen years. (477-495)

There are ruins of an ancient palace on the top of the rock. Sigiriiya shows the marvelous architectural talents of our ancestors. There are garden complex around the palace. There are ponds, water fountains, mirror wall, staircases and world famous “Sigiri frescoes” and also water moats and mud moats for the defense of the fortress. There is a mirror wall with a lot of Sigiriya graffiti. Those are we can see even today. Dangerous crocodiles were in the water moats. So no one could enter the palace on harm the king. There were watch tower on the rock.

Even Sigiriya is a majestic kingdom, choosing Sigiriya as a fortress by King Kashyapa was not a pleasurable story. Prince Kashyapa killed his father king Dathusena (459-477) with the help of Senpathi. (commander of the king`s army). He tried to kill his brother Moggallana also. Moggallan was fortunate to flee to India. So Kashyapa in constant fear of his brother attack. And also subject of Anuradhapura kingdom did not respect new king because of he did a foul murder of his father. King Kashyapa was a patricide. So Kashyapa decided to build his palace in safer place with strict protection. Sigiriya is the result of that.