The Sky Palace of Sigiriya - Matale

Sigiriya Lion Rock located in Central Matale District short distance from the city of Dambulla is one of the seven Unesco sites in Sri Lanka. The 660 ft high massive rock jutting out from a greenery of tropical forest was an ancient palace dated from 5th century. The miniature kingdom consisting of royal residences, fortified fortress and an organized irrigation system was established by King Kashyara from year 477 to 495. He worked it into a defensive stronghold after he overthrew his father King Dhatusena and expelled his brother Moggallana, the rightful heir to South India and crowned himself to the throne. For self protection, King Kashyara relocated the royal seat from the tradition capital Annuradhapura to Sigiriya, where he built his stone fortress. He believed that the rock fortress at an elevated position with 360 degree views, was a strategic advantage for his forces if he was attacked. Sigiriya after having a short period of bustling glory was abandoned as King Kashyara was soon defeated by his expelled brother and committed suicide. The site was later used as a Buddhist Monastery until 14th century. In year 1831, The summit of Sigiriya when discovered by a British Army Major was entirely covered with bushes. The Government of Sri Lanka began the full scale archaeological work in 1982.



Sigiriya covering a land area of only 3km x 1km comprised of an upper palace on the rock top and lower palace at the ground level nestled inside a lavish garden and surrounded by protective moat and ramparts.



Gardens are one of the most breathtaking features at site. It was divided into Water Garden, Boulder Garden and Terrace Garden. The gardens and various pools were interlinked and connected to a man-made lake by an intricate underground conduit network.



The impressive Terrace Gardens was divided by a limestone stair way that eventually lead to the main lion gate at the base of Sigirilya Rock.



Water Gardens has three sections. The first part was a large plot surrounded by water with 4 channels connecting to main complex at rock top. The second one consists of a path flanked by two long narrow pools with water supplied from nearby streams. On either side of the narrow pools, there are small ponds and four inlets, two of these were once served as the guests quarters for visiting dignitaries. The octagonal pool with citadel at the corner is also part of The Water Gardens.



The irrigation systems that have brought water to the landscaped gardens for 1500 years are found still functioning.



The circular limestone fountains fed by an underground aqueduct system in Water Gardens, surprisingly works well till today especially during raining season.



On the summit of this massive rock is the 1500 years old Sinhalese palace with beautiful landscaped gardens, which were the oldest surviving in the country.



Sigiriya Complex holds a significant importance in the cultural history of Sri Lanka. It preserves the culture of Sinhalese and stands as one of the outstanding earliest example of ancient urban layout system. Its landscapes are most probably one of the oldest that survived on earth.



It is a great challenge to approach the ancient palace at the rock top as ascending through thousand of steep stone steps along the winding path of Boulder Garden are strenuous and takes time.



Boulder ancient pathway is a fine example of adopting the features of natures into the landscape layout of Sigiriya. Either sides of the Boulder Archway are two caves which were believed to be monks dwellings in first monastic phase before King Kashyara made this place his kingdom.



The earliest archaeological evidence of Sinhalese history was revealed during the excavation of Boulder Garden. Eight caves with Brahim inscriptions were found near Sigiriya Rock proving that the site was a monastery dated from 3rd to 1st century BC. Most of the caves have drip-ledges and internally have the remains of meditation limestone seats that were used by the monks. It was further believed that Sigiriya could be one of the sites for the 6000 years old prehistorical settlements.



Cave Deraniyagala was named after the person who first recorded the paintings in the cave. It had been one of the monks' dwelling before King Kashyara built the fortress in 5th century. Traces of female figurines were found as those in the main cave at Sigiriya Rock.



View of nearby countryside.



The exhilarating views of the distance sight.



The terraced plateau of Sigiriya



Amidst in a forest of greenery, stands a huge image of Lord Buddha.



Carrying you up to the Mirror Wall at western side of the rock was these two caged spiral steep metal stairs. Mirror Wall was made up of brick and covered up in a highly polished white plaster, which was able to produce reflections when it was new. Making it a world attraction are the frescoes that painted on the wall, which had escaped the exposure of weather and remained vivid.



Frescoes at mirror wall focused on Sinhalese maidens in the posture of performing various tasks, are believed to have a history of 1500 years. It was said that these maidens might be doing some religious ritual and they might be the images of King's wives.






The paintings of 500 Sinhalese maidens are awesome. The classical pieces must be one of the most significance in the country.






The mirror wall had become a graffiti board over times and was covered with verses and messages dated from as early as 8th century.



Finally we reached the Lion's Paw Terrace which is also a popular feature in Sigiriya layout. It is the gateway to the main palace locating at the summit of Lion rock.



Sigiriya Rock earns its name from the enormous lion that carved from the rock half way up on a small plateau, to greet its visitors and to give warnings to its enemies. Looking at its colossal paws and the surviving mass of brick masonry at the base of the rock, you can just figure out the scale of this gatehouse.



Leading up to the sky palace at rock-top are flight of 1200 steep and narrow stairs laid between a pair of lion's paws.






The lion with front paws, head and shoulder jerking out from the rock, was like in a crouching position.






The pair of huge lion's paws is a symbolic landmark of Sigirilya Rock fortress.



Read the illustration and understand the history of Lion's Paw Terrace.



A rather tough way to conquer the upper palace built during 5th century on the top of this massive rock.



It is indeed a frightful climb!



Huray to those who had achieved it.



Just watch the flight of steep steps that winding up the summit would make anyone hesitate to go ahead for it.



There you go, standing at the top where once lived with an ancient king who ruled the island of Sri Lanka from his sky palace here.



The ruin site was most probably an assembly hall where monks gathered or delivered Dharma teachings.



Asana cave which was also a dwelling for meditation monks during 3rd to 1st century BC, was named after the seat that carved out from the rock. It was built with a drip-ledge. The layers of paintings are believed to be from several periods.



Continue our exploration.



The name of Cobra Hoove Cave derived from the cave's natural cobra-hood shape. It also has drip-ledge. The paintings at ceiling with decorative motif belonged to 6th or 7th century. It was believed to be another monks dwelling before King Kashyara moved his royal seat here.