“Dear Steemians, Welcome to Sigiriya”

The Sigiriya Rock Fortress is one of the most beautiful and attractive places in my motherland Sri Lanka.
Sigiriya is also known as “Sinhagiri” by ancient ancestors. The Sigiriya Rock Fortress is located in the beautiful Matale District, near Dambulla. This beautiful ancient rock fortress is nearly 195.2km far away from my home. The name of this place is derived from the structure “Sinhagiri”, the lion’s rock. Sigiriya is considered as one of the world heritages nominated by UNESCO. Sigiriya is an archaeological and historical site that is nearly 200 meters high.

Historical background of Sigiriya.

According to an ancient Sri Lankan chronicle named ‘Chulavansa’, an ancient King named ‘Kashyapa’ (477-495 CE) selected the Sigiriya Rock site as his new capital city. King Kashyapa built his palace with colorful frescoes. According to the main chronicle of Sri Lanka, Mahawansha, it has started that King Kashyapa built his kingdom in Sigiriya, to protect from his brother Mihindu. Kashyapa's brother Mugalan collected an army against Kashyapa. King Kashyapa built this fortress, to survive from his brother.

The locations/surroundings around Sigiriya.

With the above-stated details, hope you will be able to create a picturesque of the historical background of this ancient rock fortress, before visiting it. Then it would be much easier for anyone of you to visit the place even without a tour guide. So now I’ll brief you all about the wonder and beauty of Sigiriya. As you enter the sandy pathway towards the Sinhagiri rock, it is like walking in an enchanted garden. Sri Lanka’s ancient architectural tradition is well portrayed at Sigiriya; with its combinations of buildings and gardens with their trees.

The majestically created gigantic ‘Lion staircase ‘on the rock is a significant feature of which leads to the palace garden of the summit. Several ponds are also located on the top of Sigiriya. Water for their water gardens come from the underground pipes system. Their water fountains are still active during the rainy season. It is one of the best-preserved examples of ancient urban planning and therefore, Sigiriya is the most visited historic site in Srilanka.

There are two pockets of paintings surviving in the depression of the rock face of Sigiriya, which is nearly about 100 meters above the ground level. There are some remaining paintings in some of the caves. Most people climb Sigiriya in order to watch and observe their drawings. They are breathtaking and fascinating. Most people believe that there drawing of the ladies show who had gone to worship Lord Buddha. But some people give various interpretations of these paintings.

The mirror wall was named because of its smooth surface is another landmark which is a face of a rock, polished as the mirror. Finally, the famous lion pawns framing with fairy, charming the entrance to the palace. When we reach the top of the rock we would realize clearly why King Kashyapa loved this palace so much.

Location (Plus code): XQ46+V2 Sigiriya
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