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.