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| Sigiriya Rock Fortress |
Once again, the April holiday is when we normally travel in the year. This time our visit is to the central province of Sri Lanka where most part of the history is written. We set off early in the morning, paddy fields beside the road are a significant sight in the area. Once in a while view of a small mountain, a Dagaba, and a Buddha statue change the sight along the way. The dry wind mixed with dust blew with the warmth of the hot sun. The travelers enjoy the break by sipping tea in small tea cafes with local short eats or, king coconut water to get relief from thirst. The fruit stalls and vegetable stalls displayed the fresh harvest from villagers to be sold beside the road.
After nearly four hours of drive, we reached our rest near the famous town Sigiriya. We stayed in a guesthouse at the sight of the famous Sigiriya Rock fortress. The guesthouse was surrounded by a paddy field and the pool was set in the middle of the paddy field. The air mixed with the smell of wild marshy land. The rock view through the rooftop of the open restaurant. The restaurant was made creatively and unique to Sri Lanka style with wood and a roof covered with dry coconut leaves to go along with nature.
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Sigiriya is located 175 km North-East of Colombo via Ambepussa Kurunagala, Trincomalee road, Dambulla or Habarana town to Sigiriya. The Rock Fortress is 10 minutes drive from where we stay. First, we brought the ticket from the counter at the entrance. For locals the ticket is Rs. 50 for foreigners USD 30. The ancient site is open for visitors from 7.00 am to 5.30 pm. The visitors advised climbing the rock in the morning or evening to avoid the discomfort of the hot sun and the burning stone steps.
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The name refers to a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 meters high. The site was selected by King Kashayapa for his new capital. He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colorful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of the rock, he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. The name of this place is derived from this structure Sinhagiri means "Lion Rock".
The ponds, and fountains, we meet before the rock fortress are few remains evidence of the once beautiful royal garden. The water garden, moats, and ramparts are based on an echo plan duplicating the layout and design on either side. The gentle breeze, calm, and quiet surroundings blessed with a sensation of relaxation.
The distance view of the rock stands solemnly in the middle of the forest evidence once a glorious era of the luxurious kingdom. We walked through the path and took a few steps running through a cave to an open area. Here is the grand entrance with two enormous lion paws. The rock's most elegant and significant feature is the lion staircase leading to the palace garden on the summit. According to historians and the ideas described in some of the graffiti, this Lion staircase could be visualized as a gigantic figure towering majestically against the granite cliff, facing north, bright-colored, and awe-inspiring.
We climb through the narrow steep stairs running crisscross on the rock. The staircase is built of bricks and timber and has a tiled roof. All that remains now are the two colossal paws and a mass of brick masonry that surround the ancient limestone steps, and the cuts and groves on the rock face give an idea of the size and shape of the lion figure.
We walked through the ruins of the palace and stumbled upon the summit's large pool. Imagination flowed across my mind of a grand and elegant palace with luxurious comfort surrounded by the stunning view of lush green jungle melding with the blue horizon seemed endless. The story hides behind the very inch of these remaining ruins of the palace. King Kashyapa built this as a safe palace to hide from his half brother who wait for revenge for killing their father over a dispute of the kingship. Sigiriya being a fortress, had been well designed for its defenses by having ramparts and moats built around it. From the summit of the rock, the land areas up to distances of tens of miles can be watched making it hard for the enemy to make an attack on the kingdom.
The Palace garden on the summit was the domestic garden with its terraced and rock-cut pools. The dip in it like the ancient royals once did would have been tempting. From high above, the water garden system below was clear, perfectly centered, and impressively aligned.
The fresh air and breathtaking view made us relax on the top. after clicking the camera to take some photos of this amazing place we set back to go down. It was an easy hike, with a well-marked trail and manageable stairs. A few steps downwards the exit to the spiral iron staircase leads to an aesthetic exposure to the ancient kingdom. The Mirror Wall Sigiriya is now stained in hues of orange. When it was built by King Kashyapa over 1600 years ago it was a highly polished white masonry parapet wall. The travelers were inspired by the wonder they saw, they transferred their thoughts into poetry, and wrote on the wall.
The most renowned are the Sigiriya Rock Paintings or Frescoes believed to be queens and concubines of the king. The paintings would have covered most of the western face of the rock, covering an area 140 meters long and 40 meters high. The real history, emotions, and glamour of those who lived in this amazing kingdom were hidden behind the paintings, and graffiti still unraveled.
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| Souvenir Shop |
