Sigiriya Lion Rock is an ancient rock castle with a gigantic rock column that rises to a height of around 200 metres. The location originated during the reign of Lord Kasyapa (477–495 Promotion), who chose this location to serve as his new capital. He created an amazing castle on a rock column, reachable only by the mouth of a massive carved lion, and painted paintings on the walls.

The castle is situated in the core of the island between the towns of Dambulla and Habarane on an enormous rough level 370 meters above ocean level. 

The Sigiriya rock plateau is 200 meters higher than the jungles that surround it and was formed by the magma of an extinct volcano. Visitors are amazed by the striking harmony between nature and human imagination in its view.

The fortress complex is surrounded by a vast network of fortifications, vast gardens, ponds, canals, alleys, and fountains, as well as the remains of an abandoned palace. 

Sigiriya’s neighboring areas were restricted for several thousand years. Since the third century BC, the rough level of Sigiriya has filled in as a cloister. Kasyapa made the decision to build a royal residence here in the second half of the king’s reign in the 5th century.

After his demise, Sigiriya again turned into a Buddhist cloister until the fourteenth 100 years, when it was deserted. 

On the rock’s northern side is where you’ll find the main entrance. It was made to look like a huge stone lion, but it was destroyed, leaving only its feet to this day.

On account of this lion, the royal residence was named Sigiriya. The word “Sigiriya” comes from “Sihagri,” which means “Lion Rock.”

The western mass of Sigiriya was essentially covered by frescoes made during the rule of Kasyapa. There are currently 18 frescoes that have survived.

The frescoes are thought to be portraits of Kadapa’s wives and concubines or priestesses performing religious rituals because they show naked females. These one-of-a-kind ancient paintings celebrate female beauty and have incredible historical significance, despite the fact that the identities of the women depicted in the frescoes are unknown.

One of the most striking highlights of Sigiriya is its Mirror wall. In the past times, it was cleaned completely to the point that the lord could see his appearance. Inscriptions and poems written by Sigiriya visitors are painted on the Mirror wall.

The most antiquated engravings are dated from the eighth 100 years. These engravings demonstrate that Sigiriya was a traveler objective in excess of quite a while back. Painting on the wall is now strictly forbidden.

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Known as the “eighth wonder of the world,” Sigiriya is a “must-see” destination on any traveler’s bucket list in Sri Lanka.

The Post, brimming with deserted royal residences, nurseries, streams and frescoes, has forever been a significant piece of Sri Lanka history, and its become one of the nation’s most visited social legacy locales (read our manual for Sigiriya here).

Luckily, Pidurangala Rock, found neighboring Sigiriya, gives epic perspectives on the encompassing region, a memorable cavern complex of its own, a 10th of the groups, and the most unbelievable view neglecting the renowned Sigiriya rock.

Hiking Pidurangala Rock at sunrise has become a rite of passage for tourists to Sri Lanka, and it is a must-do activity for anyone traveling there.

From the pinnacle, watch the staggering dawn from this rock-top perspective, with all encompassing vistas over Sigiriya somewhere far off. Watch in awe as the sun bathes the vast central Sri Lankan landscapes in golden hues and illuminates the misty forests, lakes, and villages.

We believe that visiting Pidurangala and Sigiriya is a must when traveling through Sri Lanka. Investigate Pidurangala Rock yourself by following beneath data, including every one of the tips you want to have an amazing encounter.

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The Dambulla cave temple has an unique atmosphere. Its stone sanctuaries are among the oldest, largest, and best preserved on the island. They are also in the best state of preservation.

These sanctuaries are located at Dambulu-function (Dambulla Rock), which is enormous and almost protected. Around 600 feet separates it from the plain on the other side. Its majority of the surface is black and naked, with very little wood covering it.

History of Dambulla Cave Temple

The caves of the Dambulla Cave Temple were formerly inhabited by Buddhist hermits, same as the Mihintale caves. The location’s ancient antiquity is supported by the existence of pre-Christian Brahmi inscriptions right below the drip-ledge of the primary cave.

The condition of the letters in the comparatively large number of brief engravings in the Brahmi structure at Dambulla, especially those from the first century B.C.

Essentially under this lord’s leadership, the Dambulla Cave Sanctuary became a well-known location and the residence of Buddhist priests. Vattagamani Abhaya is one of the rare ancient Sri Lankan kings whose reputation and name survive without reference to written documents. The inhabitants of the nation attribute him to many of the drip-ledged caves that were formerly inhabited by Buddhist monks.

Things to do in Dambulla Cave Temple

There are five caverns (altar rooms) in Dambulla cave sanctuary. These caverns circular segment loaded with sculptures of Buddha and different personages of the Buddhist Request or History. These caves contain 150 Buddha statues. Cave No. As it was carried out in the second decade of this century, number 5—the last in the order—has no historical significance.

Statues and paintings from various Sinhalese art periods can be found in each of the other caves. Some people think that the early paintings in the Dambulla cave temple date back to the 8th century A.D.

Overpainting, on the other hand, makes this impossible to prove at all. Despite this, there are a lot of decorative designs here that look like those in Sigiriya. A thorough study of Dambulla’s paintings provides a lot of information for students of Buddhism’s history.

After the Polonnaruve kingdom fell at the end of the 12th century, it is generally agreed that the classical school of Sinhalese painting ended. There are no surviving instances of this style after the thirteenth hundred years. Again, we have examples of the work of an indigenous painting school from the 17th and 18th centuries.

It does not appear that the artistic traditions that produced the masterpieces of Sigiriya and Polonnaruva gave rise to this new school.

There may have been older paintings in this location, but they may have been lost or covered up by subsequent painting. It is possible to infer that the designs of the decorative patterns represent ancient concepts and may even be considered a continuation of Sigiriya’s design tradition.

However, as the Dambullu Tudapata alluded to above plainly uncovers cave No. 1, 2 and 4 of Dambulla cave sanctuary were painted by the Kandyan specialists of the seventeenth hundred years by the request for ruler Senarat (1604-1635 A.C). In the rule of Kirti Sri Rajasinha, the artistic creations of Dambulla cave sanctuary were redesigned and over painted once more. Artistic creations in Cavern No. 4 clearly depict the emerging Sinhalese painting school that flourished in the Kandyan provinces following the 17th century.

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Habarana Jeep Safari is the best way to visit Minneriya, Hurulu or Galoya Park’s wild elephants, birds, and other animals up close. Minneriya National Park is only a 10-minute drive from Habarana. Jeep Safari Habarana, Sigiriya Jeep Safari, Dambulla Jeep Safari, Polonnaruwa Jeep Safari, or Kandalama Jeep Safari are the famous starting points for visiting Minneriya National Park, Kaudulla National Park, Hurulu Eco Park or Galoya Eco Park.

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Minneriya national park map with Minneriya tank. this map shows the areas of Minneriya National Park.

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The best time to visit Minneriya National Park is in the afternoon when the weather cools a little. Safaris typically start at 3 PM and finish at 6 PM. At afternoon elephants are coming out of forest to eat grass on the banks of Minneriya Tank & drink water. Also for the daily bath. Begin tour after 2 PM is better for skip the sunlight.

Minneriya Evening Jeep Safari Tour give you a chance to see mostly Larger Elephant gathering than Morning Jeep Safari Tour. Also other animals like Deers, water Buffalo, Crocodile, Iguana, Monkeys as well as birds like peacock, pelican, Eagles & etc…

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Open Days:  365 Days of the year

Open Time: 6.00 AM

Close Time: 6.30 PM

Ticket Purchase Deadline: 5:00 PM

Exit deadline of park: Before 6:00 PM

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The Best time to visit of Minneriya National Park is between July and October, coinciding with the dry season in Sri Lanka’s North Central & Eastern provinces. That period you can see more than 350 wild Asian Elephant Gathering. Minneriya National Park is the ideal park for people who want to see Asian wild elephants. 

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The Elephant Gathering in Minneriya park is one among the world’s most spectacular wildlife phenomenon. many Asian elephants converge around the park’s main lake (Minneriya Tank) generally in the dry season in Sri Lanka’s North Central provinces. The tank is an incredible place to observe elephants that come to bathe and graze on the grasses also because the huge flocks of birds that come to fish within the shallow waters.

Minneriya National Park features, at its heart, an ancient man-made reservoir with a lush green landscape flourishing around its shores. Many animals congregate here annually when water elsewhere becomes scarce, including many elephants, who are drawn to the park from many miles away to drink and to require advantage of the plentiful plant-life that springs up because the reservoir waters evaporate.

This fascinating phenomenon, referred to as the Elephant Gathering, isn’t strictly a migration but simply a gathering of elephants who’ve walked many miles along Sri Lanka’s famous Elephant Corridor to succeed in the sanctuary of the watering place. Getting on the brink of elephants in their natural habitat – a lifelong dream for several people -features prominently on travelers wish lists.

There are several places throughout Asia where you’ll see elephants within the wild, but The Gathering in Sri Lanka is extremely special. Nowhere else within the world are you able to see numerous wild Asian elephants socializing and moving together; it’s commonplace to ascertain as many as 300 elephants during a single afternoon! The Gathering happens during the season, with the primary elephants arriving in May and therefore the previous couple of around November, peaking during August and September when there are often many babies within the groups too.

Driving out together with your guide for an hour or two each afternoon gives you many times to get where the elephants are congregating that day and to spend time appreciating what you discover. This extremely popular activity attracts many visitors, having become something of a pilgrimage for those that study these remarkable mammals, so there are always many fellow travelers to share photo tips with and to point you towards the simplest locations. At each stop you’ll just relax and take time to quietly admire the serene strength of the elephants as they wander past.

You could also see this amazing sight for yourself with Minneriya Safari Tours in the Minneriya National Park.

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