Sigiriya lion rock sri lanka. Sigiriya - Sri Lanka. Organization of city water supply
Sigiriya is one of the most famous attractions in Sri Lanka, which is located near the city of Dambul. The amazing Sigiriya, that is, Lion Mountain, has this name due to the huge stone lion located below, where there are many amazing beautiful places and ancient buildings.
Sigiriya is a free-standing large beautiful rock, located on the island of Sri Lanka, there are definitely no similar rocks in the world. The name itself is translated from Sinhala as Lion Mountain, today it is officially called as Ancient City of Sigiriya, that is, the Ancient City of Sigiriya. Unique small town became widely famous thanks to its ancient amazing frescoes, the ancient large palace in honor of King Kassapa, gardens, fountains and many other attractions. Since the 3rd century, Buddhist monks lived here, and in the 5th century, King Kassapa himself fled to this place, who built a fortress there, where he lived for another 18 years without going down.
To see these wonders, thousands of tourists come here every day from all over the world who want to see the amazing Kassapa Palace in person. This palace is located on Lion Mountain, which today is under the personal protection of the world's heritage and has long been shrouded in various legends. The palace has many ancient interesting secrets, and the Lion Mountain itself is really majestic and a beautiful chic view opens from its top. After Kassapa, monks began to actively settle on the rocky plateau, forming a unique cave monastery there.
Sigiriya is one of the unique parts of the cultural route along the Golden Triangle of Sri Lanka. Greater Sigiriya is a mountain plateau in the heart of Sri Lanka, where the famous ruins are located ancient fortress, and there is also a famous cave monastery.
This large plateau is located 170 km from Colombo in the very center of the island’s Cultural Triangle, 10 km from the big highway. Admission ticket for a tourist here today it costs 3600 LKR, which is about 36 dollars for adults, and for minors the entrance is 18 dollars. It will take you up to 50 minutes to climb this rock; due to the air temperature in this area, it is better to visit the rock only in the early morning.
The Lion Gate of Sigiriya, which was a giant lion, was destroyed long ago; the mouth of this lion was previously the main entrance to the Kassapa fortress. Today, only two lion paws have survived from this gate, the size of which is quite large, so one can only imagine how huge the figure of the animal itself was. These two remaining large paws of the majestic animal have already become a symbol of modern Sri Lanka. Between the paws of a giant sitting lion there is a stone staircase leading directly to the fortress.
Kassapa Palace is located on the top of a mountain and was built back in the 5th century. Next to the palace there are amazing gardens, pools and fountains. The appearance of this fortress is associated with a tragic and almost Shakespearean story, which talks about King Dhatusena, against whom his son Kassapa plotted. Today the fortress is one of the seven major heritage sites of Sri Lanka, now only ruins remain, although they can impress everyone. The palace fortification complex is surrounded by dilapidated buildings, and to get to the palace itself you must overcome as many as 2,100 steps.
The frescoes in Sigiriya are one of the main unique attractions of the palace, where women are depicted in full growth. The artist depicted more than 500 women, although today only a few unique portraits of beauties have survived. It is believed that these are the beauties of the most different countries and guests of Sigiriya who came to visit Sri Lanka, although there is an assumption that these are only the king’s concubines. The frescoes are one of the few examples of ancient religious art of Sri Lanka that have come down to us; the dimensions of all frescoes are 140 meters by 40 meters.
The gardens of the amazing Sigiriya are the central large part of the area near the Lion Rock; these gardens can be considered one of the most landscaped in the world. The large gardens were divided into three separate areas: water gardens, huge rock gardens and terraces. There are also many endless beautiful gardens with fountains and canals around Lion Mountain itself. The best workers of that hour worked to create these beautiful pools and luxurious gardens; many of the fountains at the foot of the mountain remain in excellent condition today.
The mirror wall served to protect passages along a large rock; the best craftsmen of the country made it from a complex unique composition. This composition included lime, eggs and honey, and then this wall was polished to a shine so that you could look there as if in a mirror. Part of the walls were covered with poems left by visitors to this rock, the oldest poems being written back in the 9th century. The poems are mainly about subtle feelings between a woman and a man, as well as about irony and various events. A corridor of mirrors led immediately to the king’s chambers; this is one of the most luxurious ancient rooms of the Sigiriya Palace.
The king's throne is the most interesting and unique part of the palace, as it was carved from a single rock. The large throne of Kassapa is a monolithic bench made of stone with a comfortable back and no decorations; this is where the founder of the fortress himself sat. In addition to the main throne, there are also a number of others located around the palace; the main throne has been preserved in good condition to this day.
In addition to these main attractions, there are others, this is a giant lion staircase made of a huge number of steps with lion paws. At the top of the mountain there are well-preserved pools from the upper palace, and the beautiful pools near the royal garden remain in excellent condition.
Today, tourists will be able to see the ancient fountains that remain in excellent condition, which are located in the palace. An amazingly beautiful arch is located at the rise that runs through the garden, and there are also grottoes for the protection of the palace and the Derianiyagala grotto. The structures of the Lion Mountain are the pride of Sigiriya and Sri Lanka and tourists should definitely visit them.
The most popular tourist site of the world center of Buddhism is located in the central part of Asian island state. The ancient country of Sri Lanka, whose attractions are innumerable, is famous for this architectural monument, which arouses the greatest interest among travelers. The UNESCO-protected man-made masterpiece is well preserved, and look at mysterious place Every day thousands of guests rush.
As local residents say, it is impossible to understand the soul of an exotic country without visiting this plateau, where the ruins of a palace and fortress complex shrouded in legends are located. It embodies the essence of Asian sophistication and exquisite luxury.
Sigiriya - rock and palace of the same name
In the middle of the plain in the Matale region rises the Sigiriya rock, whose name translates as “Lion Mountain”. Attracting attention from afar, she is in place powerful volcano, which stopped erupting millions of years ago. The hot lava solidified and formed a rocky plateau, on which it was founded in prehistoric times. Buddhist monastery.
There is a legend that in the 5th century Sri Lanka was ruled by Dhatusen, who was walled alive in a wall by one of his sons, who arbitrarily seized power as a result of a coup d'etat. His half-brother, thirsty for revenge, gathered troops to avenge his father, and the frightened traitor decided to build his residence at the very top of the mountain. In a short time, an impregnable fortress appeared, which was to become the new capital of the state.
More than two thousand steps led to the palace, protected by strong walls and located on a hill. Many centuries ago, each guest was greeted by sentries huddled in small niches carved out of the mountain. If someone fell asleep at his post, he would certainly fall down. There were blocks of stone on supports, and in the event of an unexpected attack they could easily be thrown onto the enemy.
Luxurious royal residence
Deep channels were dug along the edge of the plateau, which were subsequently filled with water and served as a barrier for enemies. At the very foot of the mountain there appeared beautiful gardens with luxurious fountains, which are still functioning today.
A giant figure of a lion was carved into the rock, symbolizing the power and strength of the new ruler, who fears revenge. To get to the top, you first had to climb the stone steps, which were located between the paws of the beast, and then enter its open mouth. Above the predator's head, the Sigiriya rock, which is 370 meters above sea level, was painted with images of the monarch. It was no coincidence that the new ruler chose the king of beasts as a symbol of his power: he believed that the sight of this animal inspired wild fear in all enemies. The monarch, hiding from persecution, did not climb the stairs himself, since a special lift was built for him.
Now all that remains of the last bastion in front of the entrance to the residence are the gigantic paws of a lion, three human heights, conveying the grandeur of the large-scale structure, and instead magnificent palace tourists will see a large terrace. For the convenience of visitors, the narrow stone staircase was destroyed and a wide steel staircase was built leading upstairs. Its design is so strong and reliable that it can withstand the weight of several hundred tourists at the same time.
Archaeological excavations
After the overthrow of the king, Sigiriya (Sri Lanka) again turns into a Buddhist monastery. In the 17th century, this area became the kingdom of Kandy, and after the end of the reign of the monarchs, the rock was abandoned again and hidden from prying eyes for many years in the deep jungle. The whole world learned about the destroyed city only at the end XIX century, when English archaeologists arrived here and found mysterious artifacts. The citadel was rediscovered, but scientists had no answers to many of the mysteries. Researchers found traces around the rock highly developed civilization: pottery shards, jewelry, vessels with coins.
Not a palace, but a meditation hall?
Some historians do not agree that this fortress was built by the ruler of Sri Lanka and call the citadel an ancient complex founded long before the birth of the monarch. They consider Sigiriya not the residence of a king, but a meditation hall surrounded by gardens and ponds, which created the appropriate setting for a Buddhist temple.
A fortress resembling a city
Rising above the plain, the mysterious Sigiriya (Sri Lanka) was an impregnable fortress, more reminiscent of an entire city. It was a huge complex with a complex layout: a royal palace at the top, buildings at the foot of the cliff and magnificent gardens.
The residence occupied an area of about 1.5 hectares and included both buildings at the very top and pools located at different levels and descending to the southern part of the rock. The majestic palace and gardens of Sigiriya, harmoniously integrated into the landscape of the fortress at different levels, aroused admiration.
Complex drainage system
There were about 95 swimming pools and ponds in the city. Pressurized water was distributed to the gardens through a pipeline created by ancient master engineers, and it was delivered to the mountain using special devices.
Tourists will still be able to see ancient containers for collecting life-giving moisture, which have survived to this day. Even in the rainiest season, they do not overflow with water, and this is excellent evidence that the irrigation system has not lost its functionality to this day. One can only admire the talent of the ancient builders, who created an entire drainage system that is still in operation today.
It is the irrigation canals that remind us of the complex structure of the royal residence, which looked like a monumental building, and its unique architecture. The ancient castle, built by the self-proclaimed king, did not survive, and only the foundations of the throne rooms and numerous rooms reached descendants, but even from their outlines one can understand how majestic the Sigiriya palace complex (Sri Lanka) looked.
Frescoes with images of beauties
The royal residence, striking in its splendor, is considered a place of carnal pleasures, and its inhabitants had a fun time, having fun and enjoying life. This version is supported by numerous frescoes depicting dancing, half-naked concubines of the ruler, decorated with jewelry. True, some researchers argue that these are not girls from a harem, but goddesses welcoming the new king and throwing flowers from heaven to earth.
The frescoes on the Sigiriya plateau were discovered in a cave that is forty meters high and more than 140 meters long. It is believed that this is one of the largest art galleries in the world. Of the 500 images, only about twenty have reached us in good condition. The thing is that after the death of the ruler, Buddhist monks appeared in the fortress and founded a monastery in the residence. When they saw the naked girls, they erased all the images they could get their hands on.
From the remaining frescoes one can appreciate the skill and talent of unknown artists, who emphasized the high breasts and slender figure of the beauties. Tourists are surprised at how well preserved cave paintings for one and a half thousand years. Despite their venerable age, the paintings have not lost their bright colors thanks to the special composition.
Ancient landscape park
Of course, the fantastically beautiful gardens of the palace, considered the best in the world, deserve special mention. Sigiriya (Sri Lanka) is a unique corner, which is a little-known example of an ancient landscape park. The landscaped area was divided into three separate sections, and before the eyes of the residents appeared water and stone gardens, as well as terraced gardens stretching to the very horizon.
Water garden
The Sigiriya fortress, whose history goes back thousands of years, was famous for its unusual water garden, consisting of three separate parts. The first site was a huge island surrounded by water, connected to the royal residence by roads.
The second is a two-story "Garden of Fountains". On the lower tier there were marble pools, into which water flowed through dug streams from a hydraulic structure that works perfectly to this day in rainy weather. And on the top floor there was Observation deck to view beautiful fountains.
The third section was located above all. On a huge territory with labyrinthine corridors there was a deep pond and a terrace built at the very base of the structure, which consisted of stone blocks. Looking at the last part of the lush gardens, one created the impression of unity between the water and stone structures, architecturally connected. There was also a bathing pavilion here.
Recently, archaeologists discovered a miniature water garden, which differed from all others in its extremely complex system of structures and water channels.
Hall of Mirrors
The hall of mirrors located next to the monarch’s chambers amazes the imagination. The walls were covered with a thin layer of porcelain, and every day the servants carefully polished them. As the monarch walked through the spacious room, he saw his reflection. Visitors often left inscriptions on the walls praising the beauty of the girls, and such painting was soon banned.
Sigiriya (Sri Lanka): reviews
Of course, tourists are amazed at the skill of the ancient architects, who designed the unique citadel with mathematical precision. It is difficult to understand how the builders who erected the entire city raised the necessary materials to a height.
Interestingly, low clouds create a unique effect, as if visitors are wandering through the sky surrounded by a snow-white fog. This unusual phenomenon It amazes even travelers who have seen a lot.
From above, the plateau looks majestic, and its rocky walls have a unique natural pattern, consisting of layers of marble of various colors. Early in the morning, visitors note the delightful play of the sun's rays, enlivening this mysterious corner.
Tourists also speak with delight about the museum located next to the main gate, which displays reproductions of colorful frescoes, translations of poems in hall of mirrors and much more.
How to get to the rocky plateau?
How can tourists get to Sigiriya? Getting to the ancient city is not so easy. Those planning to travel by train should remember that in Sigiriya Railway absent. You will first have to drive to Colombo and change trains in Kandy, and the journey to the religious capital of the country will take no more than four hours. Next you need to take a bus to Dambulla - ancient city in the central province of the state. The distance from it to the rocky plateau is only twenty kilometers.
The most expensive excursion
The excursion to Sigiriya is the most popular among guests of Sri Lanka and is offered by all travel agencies. As tourists note, this is the most expensive attraction of the colorful country, and you will have to pay thirty dollars for entry (locals get in for $1). The ticket price also includes a visit to the archaeological museum, where you can get acquainted with amazing story this corner. It will not be possible to get inside as a hare, since there is strict control everywhere and it will not be possible to climb to the top of the fortress without a ticket.
Opening hours: from 8.30 to 17.30 daily.
If we talk about climbing steep stairs, not everyone can handle it. It takes about two hours, and it is best to start the exciting journey early in the morning, when it is not so hot. Overcoming all the steps is not a test for the weak in body and spirit, plus take into account the strong wind when climbing. After 17.00, tourists are not allowed to climb for safety reasons.
Bring hats and sunscreen for your face, as well as drinking water, which is not sold inside the complex.
Please note that there are no toilets on the plateau.
Those who want to save money can buy one ticket for two. It will be cheaper, but significantly longer in time.
The exotic island of Sri Lanka, whose attractions are the main reason to visit, awaits guests ready for new adventures. Introduction to architectural and cultural monuments helps to learn the eventful history of an ancient country with a unique atmosphere and positive energy.
In the geographical center of the island of Sri Lanka there is a rock that stands out strikingly against the background of the surrounding plain. This is Sigiriya, or as it is also called Lion Rock (Sigiriya itself is translated from Sinhala as Lion Rock). It rises approximately 170 meters relative to the plateau on which it is located. The absolute height is 370 meters above sea level.
Sigiriya on the map
- Geographic coordinates 7.956538, 80.759964
- The distance from the actual capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, is approximately 150 km in a straight line
- The nearest airport is Anuradhapura Airport about 53 km
Sigiriya is famous primarily for the fact that in ancient times a king settled here. He built an impregnable fortress from ordinary rock. And the point here is not at all that the ruler wanted to stand out somehow. In fact, the king was hiding on an impregnable rock, fearing reprisals from his brother.
History of Sigiriya Fortress
As you know from history, in ancient times the struggle of rulers for power using the most savage methods of exterminating competitors was very popular. This tradition has not bypassed Sri Lanka either. In the 4th century AD, Kasapa - the son of King Dhatusena - decided to take power into his own hands, removing his most important rival - his father. And he did it in a very brutal way, walling it up in the wall. In fact, all power should have rightfully passed to Mogallan, another son of the murdered king (just do not confuse him with the famous navigator Magellan). Kasapa did not share power with his brother and moved the capital of the state from the city of Anuradhapura to the Sigiriya rock. It is logical to assume that it will be very difficult to get to it. In addition, Kasapa feared his brother’s revenge.
The entrance to Sigiriya was made in the form of the mouth of a giant lion. Unfortunately, only his paws have survived to this day. Seeing the size of these paws, you can imagine the whole lion. The huge lion was supposed to frighten uninvited guests and instill in any person awe and respect for the king.
At the very top of the rock, the ruler’s personal chambers were equipped with swimming pools, gardens and other terribly important attributes for the king. The walls were decorated with beautiful frescoes depicting seductive concubines, usually with a minimum amount of clothing.
But in the photo you can see the throne. Not exactly luxurious, of course, but, nevertheless, the main place of the king.
The area around Sigiriya was planted with beautiful gardens with ponds and alleys. Archaeologists have discovered here some of the very first fountains in the world (and some sources claim that these fountains are the very first on the planet).
Mogallan, the brother of the treacherous Kasapa, first fled to India to escape persecution. There he began to gather an army to fight the self-proclaimed king. But he did not yet dare to join the battle. Meanwhile, King Kasapa himself, absolutely confident in his superiority, decided to put an end to his brother and sent him word that he wanted to fight him. Mogallan did not avoid battle and moved his troops to Sigiriya. In the midst of the battle, an incredible event occurred. The king's war elephant, simply thirsty, turned towards the nearest pond. But the army took this as an attempt by the king to escape from the battlefield and bravely and courageously... fled. Finding himself face to face with Mogallan's army, Kasapa did not find anything more logical than to plunge a dagger into his chest. This is how the battle ended with the absurd defeat and death of Kasapa.
Mogallan moved the capital back to Anuradhapura, leaving Sigiriya to the monks. The monastery existed there until the 14th century, then information about it was lost. New life was given to Sigiriya by the appearance of Europeans in these places.
Discovery of Sigiriya by Europeans
The first information about the discovery of Sigiriya by Europeans dates back to the times of the colonization of India, more precisely in 1831. This year, the British military, led by Major Jonathan Forbes, discovered Lion Rock for the first time. A little later, scientists became interested in the find. In 1907, the English scientist John Still explored the palace complex. In particular, he was struck by the large number of frescoes. There were about 500 of them here at that time. They occupied a vast area about 140 meters long and 40 meters high. John even called this place "the largest art gallery in the world." No more than 18 frescoes have survived to this day. There is evidence that most of the frescoes (remember that they depicted beautiful concubines practically in negligee) were destroyed by monks who were distracted from prayers by these beautiful maidens in the images.
There are inscriptions on the walls of Sigiriya, some of which date back to the 8th century AD. Now Sigiriya is under state protection and modern tourists are prohibited from leaving their inscriptions.
Today, travelers can only admire the remains of the palaces of Sigiriya, since most of the buildings have already been destroyed. The optimal time to visit Lion Rock is morning, as the sun is not very hot yet. Remember that to climb you will have to overcome steep stairs and quite strong winds. But the view of the surrounding area more than compensates for any inconvenience.
- scientists have established that long before King Kasapa, on the rock from about the 3rd century AD. Buddhist monks lived
- Entrance to the Lion Rock is paid, and for tourists it costs about 30 dollars (children are 2 times less), but for local residents only half a dollar
- UNESCO included Sigiriya as a World Heritage Site in 1982
- Since its discovery by Europeans in the 19th century, extensive archaeological research began only in 1982
- According to historians, the front part of the palace on Sigiriya used to be richly strewn precious stones
Sigiriya photo
Sigiriya (Lion Rock) is an ancient mountain ruined fortress with the remains of a palace, located in central region Matale in Sri Lanka. The fortress is surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, swimming pools, and other structures. This is the most popular tourist destination Sri Lanka. Sigiriya is also famous for its ancient mural paintings. The fortress was built during the reign of King Kasapa I (477 – 495 AD), and is one of the seven world heritage sites of Sri Lanka. We tried to find as much information as possible about this place and invite you to take an excursion into the history of Sigiriya and admire its beauty.
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1. Of course, the main attraction of this place is the mountain palace, located at an altitude of 200 meters.
2. Archaeologists believe that the palace was built at the end of the 4th century. The initiator of the construction was a parricide monarch named Kasapa, who fled to these remote places, fearing the revenge of his brother - the real heir. Sigiriya was inhabited during prehistoric times and was used as a mountain monastery refuge since about the 5th century BC, with caves and monasteries. The garden and palace were built a little later by King Kasapa. After Kasapa's death, the site again became a monastery until the 14th century, after which it was abandoned. The Sigiri inscriptions were deciphered by archaeologist Senarat Paranavitana in his famous work published in Oxford. He also wrote a popular book, The History of Sigiriya.
3. Sigiriya Rock - a powerful formation from the magma of an extinct and long-destroying volcano. The rock rises high above the surrounding plain, visible for many miles in all directions. The rock rests on a steep embankment that rises sharply above the flat plain that surrounds it. The height of the rock is 370 meters above sea level. The mountain on which it was decided to build the palace is dormant volcano. Researchers believe that even before the construction of the mountain palace, people (mostly monks and hermits) settled here. The palace became a monastery after the death of Kasapa, and several decades later it was completely abandoned by people.
4. Let's move on to the history of this place: The earliest evidence of human presence in Sigiriya was found in the Aligala mountain shelter in the eastern part of the rock. These finds indicate that the area was inhabited almost five thousand years ago during the Mesolithic. During the third century BC, there were mountain cave shelters built by Buddhist monks. These structures were built between the third century BC and the first century AD. During the reign of King Kasapa from 477 to 495 AD, Sigiriya was developed into a complex city, becoming an impregnable fortress. Most of the complex structures on the mountain highlands, including defensive structures, palaces and gardens, date back to the reign of Kasapa. The complex of structures on the mountain is impressive due to the combination of symmetrical and asymmetrical elements. It seems that there is no order in the buildings of the Sigiriya Palace, but in general they all fit harmoniously with each other.
5. Kasapa was defeated in 495 AD, Sigiriya again became a Buddhist monastery - the monks were here until the fourteenth century. After this, no mention of Sigiriya was found until the seventeenth century, when the area became the Kingdom of Kandy. When Kandy's reign ended, Lion Rock was abandoned again. Archaeological work here began in the 1890s. H.C.P Bell was the first archaeologist to conduct extensive surveys of the area around Sigiriya. Large-scale research began in 1982, initiated by the government of Sri Lanka. Of course, today only ruins remain of the palace, but even these remnants of its former grandeur are impressive. In the western part of the palace complex there was a park with several swimming pools. Water was delivered to the top of the mountain using a system of mechanisms that has remained intact to this day.
6. The ancient castle built by Kasyapa remains on the top of the hill to this day, as do parts of the fortress. Despite its age, some of the decisions made by the palace builders are still striking in their ingenuity - the water storage tanks still hold water, and the moats and walls surrounding the palace are still elegant and beautiful. Sigiriya Gardens is the most central part of this area as it is one of the most landscaped gardens in the world. The gardens are divided into three separate areas: water gardens, rock gardens, and terrace gardens. The famous part of Sigiriya is the mirror wall. Originally, this wall was so well polished that the king could see himself while walking next to it. The wall is made of special porcelain porcelain, and is partially covered with poems scribbled by visitors to Lion Rock. The oldest of Sigiriya's poems date back to the 8th century. Many visitors wrote on the wall about love, irony and various events. Later, wall painting was banned. The entrance to the main part of the ancient city, that is, to the palace, was decorated with lion paws and was probably intended only for members of the royal dynasty. Originally, the entrance was the head of a lion, that is, to get into the palace, you had to go through the open mouth! Unfortunately, time has not been kind to such a unique gate...
7. The mirrored corridor led to the royal chambers. This was once one of the most luxurious rooms of the Sigiriya Palace. There were several hundred frescoes here, most of which depicted half-naked women - the ruler’s concubines. It is worth noting that several frescoes have survived to this day.
8. Ancient temple on top of the rock was a gigantic art gallery, frescoes covered most western slope of the rock, occupying an area 140 meters long and 40 meters high. Now many of the frescoes of Sigiriya are lost forever, but the style of this painting is considered unique and inimitable. Sigiriya is the most valuable asset of Sri Lanka, and the government protects it in every possible way.
9. Of course, the colors on them have faded, but you can still see the images on them. Researchers believe that natural paints based on beeswax and egg white were used to create these frescoes. This is what, according to scientists, gave the frescoes such durability.
10. From the dais called “ lion rock” offers a magnificent view of the surrounding area. Below, in full view, lie rice fields, forests and small lakes. Once on this hill there was a royal pool along with a huge throne.
11. For a long time, the Sigiriya Palace was considered destroyed and lost somewhere in the forests, but in the middle of the 19th century the legendary palace was discovered. A lot of restoration work was carried out here, which is still ongoing. The mountain palace was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is very popular among tourists. Thousands of travelers come here every year to see the ruins with their own eyes. ancient palace! Indeed, the history of Sigiriya is shrouded in numerous legends. In the fifth century AD, Kasapa (477-495), the eldest son of King Datusena (459-477), was supposed to inherit the throne, but his father decided in favor of his younger son Mogallan (Kasapa's mother was a concubine). Kasapa was inflamed with hatred of his father and imprisoned him, and in 477 he participated in his death. Mogallana was horrified by the terrible deeds of his elder brother and hid in South India. Fearing revenge, Kasapa decided to build a capital in an inaccessible place. And he chose the Sigiriya rock, 370 m high.
12. The king and his architects cleared the area around the rock and built a magnificent city surrounded by gardens with fountains and pools. They built the most amazing stairs in the world: the steps were carved between the paws, throat and jaws of an incredible size lion. The lion is the emblem of the state and a form of intimidation. The part of the rock above the lion's head was painted with images of Kasapa and his father Datusena. A citadel palace was built on the top of the rock. The quotation begins with the “platform of a lion”, of which only its paws remain. Steps lead to a 1.7 hectare terrace where the palace once stood. From the giant figure of a lion carved into the rock, whose mouth once served as the entrance to the fortress, only the paws have survived, but on the surface of the rock the most curious poetic inscriptions left by visitors to Sigiriya dating back to the 8th century are still preserved.
13. According to the description of travelers, the pediment of the palace, built of marble and surrounded by gardens and ponds, was lined with precious stones. The giant royal throne is well preserved. It is impossible not to be amazed at how the builders of those times lifted the necessary building materials onto the rock. Brick walls were erected along the edges of the cliff with narrow platforms for the sentries, where they could not sleep, risking falling. The stones on the rock were always ready in case of someone's invasion. One of them is still holding on, ready to fall. Travelers also describe a gallery with frescoes and a “mirror wall” polished with mineral. Frescoes depicting a procession of princesses or palace ladies as if floating in the air, and covered with a composition of egg whites and wild bee honey, retained their bright colors. Nobody knows who they are, perhaps just a figment of the artist’s imagination. They wore rich jewelry, tiaras supporting their hair, and flowers in their hands. Frescoes occupied the entire wall of the gallery. Unfortunately, out of 500 frescoes, only 18 have survived. The scratches on the “mirror wall” next to the gallery are simple poems dedicated to the beauty of these women.
14. The western and southern slopes are divided into terraces, where rooms for servants and guards were located. On the western slope, two flights of steps lead up to the cliff. One staircase runs next to a cave dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite, whose figurine was discovered here in the 12th century during the reign of King Parakramabahu. Noteworthy is a huge dismembered boulder, on one half of which a water tank is hollowed out. On the other, fallen half, there is a throne and a square platform, where perhaps the meetings of a member of the Council of Ministers took place.
15. According to another version, theatrical performances were held here. In the cave below the boulder, called the “cobra hood,” there are traces of ancient painting on the ceiling - a biography of Kasapa. Among the boulders around the rock, several places of a religious nature were discovered. Cave temple contains an undated torso of a Buddha statue on which monks practiced meditation. Preaching Rock, a huge boulder from which sermons were delivered, has great amount miniature niches where oil lamps were lit at midday...
16. During his 18 years of ruling from the top of a cliff, Kasapa imagined himself to be the master of the universe. Confident in his strength, he sent word to his brother, who had returned from India with an army, that he wanted to fight him on the plain. But the decision was made unsuccessfully. In the midst of the battle, Kasapa's elephant moved to a nearby pond to drink water. The army decided that the king was fleeing and began to retreat. Left alone, Kasapa cut his own throat. Mogallana destroyed the citadel, destroying traces of its former master, and, taking power into his own hands, restored the capital at Anurahapura. Restoration work is currently underway. Based on literary evidence and archaeological excavations, there is another version of the purpose of Sigiriya. Meteorological data since 1895 indicate that the wind and rain of the two monsoons stopped field work for 8 months a year. February-March are the only months when construction work is possible in this region of the country.
17. So out of the 18 years of Kasapa’s reign, only five years remain for construction, and this includes such colossal works as: clearing the terrain, transporting marble, making and firing bricks, hollowing out niches in the rock to secure the bricks, building a gallery and a “mirror wall” , preparing the rock surface for painting, working on top of the rock, not to mention building around the rock itself. Even if we imagine that thousands of workers were involved, it is almost impossible to carry out all these grandiose works in such a short term. The palace theory also does not stand up to criticism. During excavations at the top of the rock, a rectangular platform measuring 13 x 7 m was discovered, which was unconditionally recognized as the Kasapa palace. But if this is a palace, then why are there no traces of the presence of rooms, a toilet, columns, or recesses for columns? No remains of a tiled roof were found, but a vessel in which the relics were kept was found. How could a tiled roof withstand the pressure of garbage winds and rains? A giant stone-hewn throne to the south of the platform and at a lower level is the only structure on the summit that shows evidence of a once-existing roof (or canopy), protected by a vertically rising stone wall. In 1833, a stupa that existed at the beginning of this century was discovered on the top; this place is now marked with pegs. Archaeologists have discovered at least 2 construction periods at the top of the cliff and 5 at the base. If the palace and gardens of Sigiriya are the work of Kasapa, then who is responsible for the remaining 4 periods of construction activity? The ruling monarchs were the patrons of the faith. The order of monks enjoyed great privileges in the form of royal subsidies, prestige and patronage. Archaeological excavations confirm that already in the 2nd century. BC there was a large monastic complex here, as evidenced by the presence of a large number of cave temples on the western and northern slopes (excavations have not yet been carried out on the southern and eastern slopes). Inscriptions from the 2nd century AD were discovered in one of the caves. Taking this into account, one cannot even imagine that Kasapa, in a difficult situation for himself, would decide to enter into conflict with the monks just to build a palace on the top of a cliff. The presence of an army on the territory of the monastery is also impossible. On the contrary, the king, army and population had to in every possible way support and protect the guardians of the Buddha's teachings, which Kasapa did. Kasapa could not chop the branch on which he was sitting. During this period of time, the Temple of the Tooth Relic and the relic itself (a symbol of royal power) were located in Anuradhapura, where the government was also located. In Anuradhapura, Kasapa built several temples, including the Kasub-Bo-Upulvan temple (in honor of the god Vishnu). All these facts indicate that Kasapa visited Sigiriya, but could not live there.
18. This rock was also covered in gardens, including terraced ones. Artificial water pools are everywhere - from bottom to top. And the entire water engineering system is capable of operating even now. It’s not always clear what it’s like inside, in the rock, but it works. From the outside you can only see the cut drains to drain water; they are in all the caves along the road. It is unlikely that the construction work of Kasapa in Sigiriya, the patron saint of the Mahayana sect (the liberal direction of Buddhism), could have received approval in the Mahavamsa chronicles, which describe mainly the history of Buddhism and the relations of the ruling monarchs with the church, from which we learn the history of Sigiriya and which were written in the 13th century by the Theravada sect (the teaching of the elders is the orthodox branch of Buddhism). The gap of seven centuries between events and their recording was to the advantage of those who wrote the chronicles: it is much more convenient to distort real events and misrepresent Kasapa as a mad genius rather than glorify his adherence to a hostile strain of Buddhism. The Theravada movement denies the existence of savior gods, whose main mission is to alleviate our suffering in this life. The meaning of Sigiriya painting can only be understood when the purpose of the complex itself is clear. Typically, painting fulfills a certain role: decorative (such as a wallpaper), or it tries to have an impact, to convey a specific idea that is not necessarily understandable to mere mortals. Considering that the complex is the center of the Mahayana sect, it is not difficult to guess who is depicted in the murals. One of the most respected and revered goddesses of the Mahayana sect is the goddess Tara, the star, the mother of all Buddhas. But why are there so many images of the same person on the Sigiriya rock? Repetition, a very popular mode of expression in Buddhist art, conveys the magical power of the deity not through colossal size, but through repeated repetition, a feeling of infinity. Examples of this were found in India, Central Asia, China, Indonesia, and Burma. One such example in Sri Lanka is the Dambulla Cave Temple. Inscriptions on the "mirror wall", left mainly by visitors from the 8th to 10th centuries, refer to the site as Sihigiri - the Rock of Remembrance. And the chronicles of the 13th century Mahavamsa call the rock Sihigiri - Lion Rock. Believers, climbing to the gallery, to the “lion platform” and finally to the top of the rock, constantly saw the image of the goddess Tara before their eyes. By visually representing the goddess and worshiping her, believers hoped that Tara would ease their suffering and show the way to salvation. Sigiriya is a reminder to believers of Tara, hence the name Rock of Remembrance. The call to meditation is the meaning of the painting of Sigiriya, whose patron was the goddess Tara.
19. According to eyewitnesses of the 19th century, the steps, starting from the “lion platform,” were decorated with sculptures of lions. Examples of the identification of the goddess Tara with a roaring lion are found in India (Ghost, M - Development of Buddhist iconography in eastern India: 1980). Over time, Tara was forgotten by ordinary people. This is evidenced by the fact that visitors of the 10th century and later no longer mentioned Tara, but identified the women in the frescoes with the wives of Kasapa, which was encouraged by the propaganda of the Theravada sect. Considering the above facts, we can conclude: Sigiriya has never been either a capital or a fortress. It was an aesthetically designed monastic complex of the Mahayana Buddhist sect for over 20 centuries. It was easier to lead a righteous life surrounded by beautiful scenery and a favorable climate. Powerful ramparts with ditches drained excess rainwater beyond the territory of the monastery, which otherwise would have been subject to flooding. The so-called palace was nothing more than open hall for meditation, and flowering gardens and ponds created an ideal setting for this. Reservoirs with water for ritual ablutions and decorative purposes are not an exclusive phenomenon in Buddhist temples and monasteries.
20. Among the most remarkable aspects of the urban structure of Sigiriya is its mathematical planning and absolute clarity of design. The city plan is based on a precise square module. All buildings and structures are located strictly in relation to the center of coordinates - palace complex on top of the cliff. The eastern and western entrances clearly correspond to the east-west axis. The royal water gardens, moats and ramparts of the western zone are based on an 'echo' or 'mirror' plan, which duplicates the arrangement on both sides between north and south from east to west. In its complete concept, Sigiriya is a brilliant combination of symmetry and asymmetry in a block geometric planning and natural shape. Often, when there is low cloudiness at the top, there is an unusual effect when a cloud lies on the top of a rock and people are wandering waist-deep in white clouds. It seems as if you are walking on the heavens. This unusual effect shocks even experienced travelers.
Most visited historical place Sri Lanka - the Sigiriya rock - has been protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1982. The palace and fortress complex is recognized as one of the best examples of ancient urban planning.
The Sigiriya rock plateau is a powerful formation formed from the magma of an extinct and collapsed volcano. It rises 170 meters above the surrounding flat plain. The area around the rock was probably inhabited in prehistoric times.
There is clear evidence that many of the caves and shelters in the area were inhabited by Buddhist monks and ascetics as early as the 3rd century BC.
In the 5th century, mountain monasteries began to be built on the top of the Lion Rock, dotted with many caves and passages, which were a reliable refuge for their inhabitants.
The construction of the palace and fortress complex located on the top of the mountain took place during the reign of King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). According to historical chronicles, he immured his father, King Dhatusen, alive in the wall, seizing the throne, which by right should have passed to the king's other heir, Mogallan. To avoid the threat of death at the hands of his brother, Mogallan fled to India, where he began to gather an army against his treacherous relative.
Fearing Mogallan's attack, King Kashyapa moved the capital and his residence from Anuradhapura to the safer Sigiriya. During his reign it was developed into a complex city that became impregnable fortress. At the top of the rock, defensive structures and a palace were built, decorated with colorful frescoes. On a small plateau at the entrance to the fortress, located halfway to the top, the king created a monumental gate in the form of a giant lion carved into the rock, hence the name “Lion Rock”. Around Sigiriya, on an area of about 140 hectares, endless gardens with ponds, canals, alleys and fountains were created.
After some time, King Kashyapa, confident in his power, sent word to Mogallan that he wanted to fight him. Soon he responded to the offer and, accompanied by his army, returned to Sri Lanka in order to return the throne that rightfully belonged to him, taken away by his cruel brother.
It is unknown how everything would have ended if not for the intervention of the war elephant Kashyapa, who at the most decisive moment of the battle went to the lake to drink water. The army, seeing that their ruler was leaving the battlefield, decided to follow his example and fled. Left alone with the enemy army, the king, out of powerlessness and despair, plunged a sword into his chest.
Mogallan returned the capital to Anuradhapura, and gave Sigiriya to the disposal of Buddhist monks. The monastery existed there until the 14th century, after which it was abandoned. No information about the fate of Sigiriya was discovered until the 17th century, when it became an outpost of the Kingdom of Kandy.
Europeans discovered Sigiriya in 1831, when British Army Major Jonathan Forbes, returning from a trip with a party of 78 Scots, stumbled upon the place. After some time, Sigiriya became of interest to archaeologists. Small archaeological work took place in the Sigiriya complex back in the 1890s, and the Sri Lankan government began large-scale exploration of the area in 1982.
The ancient complex, built by King Kashyapa, has survived in the vastness of Sigiriya to this day. It includes the remains of a fortress and palace, water and stone gardens, walls and moats, which are still beautiful and graceful. On flat top the rocks contain the ruins of the upper palace, the middle terrace contains the Lion Gate and the Mirror Wall, and on the slopes of Sigiriya is located lower palace. According to descriptions from travelers, the front part of Kashyapa's palace, built of marble, was previously strewn with precious stones.
King's throne:
The western part of the rock is a unique sight - it is almost completely covered with amazing frescoes. In 1907, British scholar John Still, who examined an area painted with nude women, called it the largest “picture gallery in the world.” The height of this area is 40 m and the length is 140 m. In total, the king’s architects created 500 beautiful frescoes, but, unfortunately, only 18 have survived to this day. Many images were destroyed by the monks when a Buddhist monastery was located here, so that they would not interfere concentrate during meditation.
Another famous Sigiriya treasure is the Mirror Wall. In former times, it was polished so thoroughly that when walking near it, the king could see his reflection. The wall, made of porcelain, is covered with reflections and poems from visitors who have been here. The oldest inscriptions date back to the 8th century. Today it is prohibited to paint walls.
The Sigiriya Gardens are one of the main attractions of the complex. They extend west from the cliff and represent a symmetrically planned park, equipped with a complex hydraulic system, which consists of canals, locks, lakes, dams, bridges, fountains, as well as above-ground and underground water structures.
The gardens are divided into three separate areas: rock gardens, water gardens and terrace gardens. King Kashyapa's water gardens are located in the western part of the park. During the rainy season, all the canals connecting the rectangular reservoirs are filled with water, which begins to circulate throughout the territory. The fountains of Sigiriya, built in the 5th century, are perhaps the oldest in the world. The pool area is surrounded by a picturesque garden with a rich variety of trees.
All tracks in royal park oriented according to the parts of the world, on their right and left sides there are swimming pools. When approaching the foot of the cliff, on the terraces you can see a large number of huge boulders of the most intricate shapes and sizes - these are the stone gardens of Sigiriya. Many of the boulders have steps carved into them that you can climb.
The Lion Gate, which is a huge lion whose mouth served as the entrance to the fortress, was practically destroyed. Only the paws of the animal survived; looking at their size, one can only imagine how large and majestic the figure of the animal, which today is a symbol of Sri Lanka, was.