Sigiriya (Sri Lanka) | Unique

 

Sigiriya (Sri Lanka)

Sigiriya or Sinhagiri (Lion Rock Sinhala: සීගිරිය, Tamil: சிகிரியா/சிங்ககிரி, pronounced see-gi-RI-yə) is an ancient rock fortress located in the northern Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. It is a site of historical and archaeological significance dominated by a massive column of rock approximately 180 m (590 ft) high.

The ancient Sri Lankan chronicle known as the Cavasa describes this location as having formerly been a vast forest. Following a series of storms and landslides, the forest was transformed into a hill, which was subsequently chosen by King Kashyapa (AD 477–495) as the site of his new capital. On top of this rock, he constructed his castle and painted colorful paintings along the sides of the stone. On a low plateau approximately halfway up the side of this rock, he carved a gigantic lion into the shape of a doorway. The name of this location comes from this landmark, also known as the Lion Rock or Snhgiri (an etymology similar to Singapura, the Sanskrit name of Singapore, the Lion City). After the death of the monarch, both the capital city and the royal palace were left deserted. It served as a Buddhist monastery until the middle of the 14th century. Today, UNESCO recognizes Sigiriya as a World Heritage Site in its registry. It is one of the instances of historic urban layout that has been kept the finest.

10 Amazing thinks in Sigiriya

• 1 .  The citadel on top of the Sigiriya Lion Rock/Sigiriya Fortress was built by King Kasyapa, who ruled from 477 to 495 AD. He chose this as his royal residence as he worried about potential attacks from his brother Moggallana, the rightful heir to the throne
• 2. Sigiriya Lions Rock is 200 meters high, and visitors can "climb" the 1,200 steps, divided amongst several staircases, to the top
• 3.   King Kasyapa’s life and rule were full of controversy. He was born to a non-royal concubine and had no right to the throne. Consequently, he rebelled against his king's father, Dhatusena, imprisoning him and eventually killing him, entombing him in a wall
• 4.   Before King Kasyapa used Sigiriya Lion Rock as his residence, it was thought the rock was a Buddhist monastery. It was again used as a monastery after Kasyapa’s death until it was abandoned in the 14th century
• 5.  On a plateau halfway up the rock, Kasyapa built a gateway in the form of a colossal lion with a staircase emerging from the lion’s mouth, hence its name meaning Sigiriya Lions Rock
• 6.   Considered one of the best examples of ancient urban planning, the site of Sigiriya Lions Rock became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982
• 7.  King Kasyapa created a ‘mirror wall’ so highly polished that he could see his reflection as he walked by. There is also evidence of a wall, 140 meters long and 40 meters high, covered with paintings of ladies. These paintings are still partly visible today. Visitors inscribed their thoughts on the painted women along the ‘mirror wall.’ This graffiti is of great interest to historians, showing the development of the Sinhala language and script
• 8.   The Sigiriya Lions Rock includes water gardens, a moat, terraced gardens, and archaeological features
• 9.   It wasn’t until 1831 that British Army Major Jonathan Forbes discovered the abandoned Sigiriya Rock. He came across the site while horseback riding through Sri Lanka. A few decades later, archaeologists spent time on a research operation in the region
• 10.  The advanced and impressive hydraulic system consisting of canals, lakes, dams, bridges, fountains, and underground water pumps still provides water to the Sigiriya Rock gardens today