Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Sigiriya, in central Sri Lanka, is known for the ruins of a stronghold built around the 6th century CE on a remarkable rock pillar. The rock, rising 180 m above the surrounding plain, is so steep that its top overhangs the sides. On the several acres of ground at the summit, King Kashyapa I built a palace in 477 CE as a safeguard against his enemies [this is disputed; the ruins at the top may well be of a monastery, not a palace]. Visitors began the final ascent through the open jaws and throat (giriya) of a monumental lion (sinha), thus Sigiriya. About halfway up, a section of the rock face is adorned with a series of exquisitely painted apsarases (nymphs) showering flowers, their torsos emerging from clouds. The paintings are dated to the 6th century CE and are reminiscent of contemporary work in India. Sigiriya was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982. [—Text adapted from Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008]
Sigiriya Rock (info) |
One of many water tanks |
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The start of the climb |
Boulder arch #1 (info) |
Resting monk |
Beware of hornets! |
Scenery |
Winding path |
Steep climb (more) |
To the niche with the frescoes |
Sigiriya Frescoes |
Sigiriya Frescoes |
Sigiriya Frescoes |
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Sigiriya Frescoes |
Sigiriya Frescoes |
Sigiriya Frescoes |
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Sigiriya Frescoes |
Sigiriya Frescoes |
Sigiriya Frescoes |
Sigiriya Frescoes |
View of a terrace from above |
Lion's Paws (info) |
Visitors by the Lion's Paw |
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The final climb to the top |
On the summit of the rock |
Water storage tank (more) |
View from above (more) |
Foundations of monasteries |
Dating back 1500 years |
Dates from late 5th cent. CE |
Built during King Kassapa's regin |
View of the countryside |
Stairways and foundations |
Stairways and foundations |
Ancient meditation spot |
Ruins of monasteries |
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Ancient walls and foundations |
Visitor amid the ruins |
Visitor amid the ruins |
Top of the rock |
Meditation spot? |
Audience Hall (info) |
Asana Cave (info) |
On the path coming down |
Cobra Hood Cave (info) |
Remains of a stupa |
View from the royal garden |
Moat around Sigiriya |
Sigiriya rock in later afternoon |
Local restaurant in Sigiriya |
Ganesha shrine in a forest |
Kataragama on the windshield |
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