SIGIRIYA ROCK
Standing tall over the surrounding plains, the Siririya rock offers a splended view for miles in all derection. Sigiriya Rock line on a steep mound that rises over the otherwise flat plains and the rock is sheer on all sides,and in many parts even overhangs the base.
From the top,it is elliptical in plan.its top is flat, and slopes gradually allong the elliptical axis.
Sigiriya was a monastery belonging 1-2 centuries B.C. with caves surrounding the rock caves with and without drip ledges belonging to the period are found close to Sigiriya rock. King Kassapa 1 (473-491 A.D )transferred the administrative centre from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya and ruled the island from Sigiriya. He built Sigiriya fortress with the palace, gardens and other royal buildings after the decades.
Of king Kassapa 1 his brother King Mugalan (495-512 A.D) donated Sigiriya to the Sangha. literary sources mention about Sigiriya during the reigns of king Dala Mugalan(535-555 A.D) and king Sangatissa 11 (618 A.D). according to the graffiti of the mirror wall Sigiriya was crowned by local visitors from 6 century A.D to 12 century A.D. paintings of Sigiriya are one of the most significant pieces of classical paintings of Sri Lanka. There is no argument the honour for constructions of the most impotent structures of Sigiriya as moats, parapet walls, gardens, palace and tanks goes to king Kassapa though buildings to 6th century A.D onwards found here. King Kassapa 1 ruled the island from Sigiriya as the Kuvera of Alakamandawa. This is an archaeological reserve.
The most significant feture of the rock would have been the Lion staircase leading to the place garden on the summit. Based on the ideas describe in some of the graffiti, this Lion staircase could be visualized as a gigantic cliff, facing north,bright coloured, and aweinspiring.
Through the open mouth of the Lion had led the covered staircase built of bricks and timber and a tiled roof. All that remains now are the two colossal paws and a mass of brick masonary 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.
About halfway up the rocks is a sheltered gallery of frescoes painted on the sheer rock face. The ‘Heavenly maidens’ are similar in style to the paintings of Ajantha in India. Some of them are still in remarkably good condition. Flash photography is not allowed at thise site.
Beyond the fresco gallery,the pathway circles the sheer face of the rock. And is protected by a 3m high wall. This wall was coated with a mirror – smooth glaze,in wich visitors over 1000 yers ago noted their impression of the women in the gallery above. The graffiti was mostly inscribed between the 7th and 11th century AD.685 of them have been deciphered and published . the graffiti are a great source for the scholars to study the development of the Sinhala language and script.
The beautiful and elaborately landscaped water gardens,contain a complex network of underground water distribution system, wich provides water to the Royal barths, the many little moated island and fountains. Some fountains still work during the rainy season.
A cave with a drip-ledge and it takes the name from the seat inside. Carved out of the living rock. This has been made for the use of meditating monks when Sigiriya was a monastery before Kasyapa. Layer of painting belonging to several periods could be seen hare. A striking features is the presence among the paintings of a few graffiti belonging to the 8-9 centuries A.D.
From the top,it is elliptical in plan.its top is flat, and slopes gradually allong the elliptical axis.
Sigiriya was a monastery belonging 1-2 centuries B.C. with caves surrounding the rock caves with and without drip ledges belonging to the period are found close to Sigiriya rock. King Kassapa 1 (473-491 A.D )transferred the administrative centre from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya and ruled the island from Sigiriya. He built Sigiriya fortress with the palace, gardens and other royal buildings after the decades.
Of king Kassapa 1 his brother King Mugalan (495-512 A.D) donated Sigiriya to the Sangha. literary sources mention about Sigiriya during the reigns of king Dala Mugalan(535-555 A.D) and king Sangatissa 11 (618 A.D). according to the graffiti of the mirror wall Sigiriya was crowned by local visitors from 6 century A.D to 12 century A.D. paintings of Sigiriya are one of the most significant pieces of classical paintings of Sri Lanka. There is no argument the honour for constructions of the most impotent structures of Sigiriya as moats, parapet walls, gardens, palace and tanks goes to king Kassapa though buildings to 6th century A.D onwards found here. King Kassapa 1 ruled the island from Sigiriya as the Kuvera of Alakamandawa. This is an archaeological reserve.
The most significant feture of the rock would have been the Lion staircase leading to the place garden on the summit. Based on the ideas describe in some of the graffiti, this Lion staircase could be visualized as a gigantic cliff, facing north,bright coloured, and aweinspiring.
Through the open mouth of the Lion had led the covered staircase built of bricks and timber and a tiled roof. All that remains now are the two colossal paws and a mass of brick masonary 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.
About halfway up the rocks is a sheltered gallery of frescoes painted on the sheer rock face. The ‘Heavenly maidens’ are similar in style to the paintings of Ajantha in India. Some of them are still in remarkably good condition. Flash photography is not allowed at thise site.
Beyond the fresco gallery,the pathway circles the sheer face of the rock. And is protected by a 3m high wall. This wall was coated with a mirror – smooth glaze,in wich visitors over 1000 yers ago noted their impression of the women in the gallery above. The graffiti was mostly inscribed between the 7th and 11th century AD.685 of them have been deciphered and published . the graffiti are a great source for the scholars to study the development of the Sinhala language and script.
The beautiful and elaborately landscaped water gardens,contain a complex network of underground water distribution system, wich provides water to the Royal barths, the many little moated island and fountains. Some fountains still work during the rainy season.
A cave with a drip-ledge and it takes the name from the seat inside. Carved out of the living rock. This has been made for the use of meditating monks when Sigiriya was a monastery before Kasyapa. Layer of painting belonging to several periods could be seen hare. A striking features is the presence among the paintings of a few graffiti belonging to the 8-9 centuries A.D.
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