Sigiriya (Lion's rock) is an ancient rock fortress and palace ruin in the central
Matale District of
Sri Lanka, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures. A popular tourist destination, Sigiriya is also renowned for its ancient paintings (
frescos),
which are reminiscent of the
Ajanta Caves of
India. It is one of the seven
World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.
Sigiriya may have been inhabited through prehistoric times. It was used as a rock-shelter mountain
monastery from about the 5th century BC, with caves prepared and donated by devotees to the Buddhist
Sangha. According to the chronicles as
Mahavamsa the entire complex was built by
King Kashyapa (AD 477 – 495), and after the king's death, it was used as a Buddhist monastery until 14th century.
These pictures were taken by me when I climbed the rock with my cousins in January 2010.
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| The surrounding area |
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| King's entertainment lounge |
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| The staircase made on the rock |
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| Old and the new |
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| The famous frescoes |
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| The lion's gate |
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| The last step on the summit |
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| SCENERY FROM THE TOP |
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| The scenery from the top |
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