Sigiriya castle sri lanka. Sigiriya - the lion rock or the most famous landmark of Sri Lanka

Sigiriya is an ancient mountain ruined fortress with the remains of a palace, located in central area Matale in Sri Lanka. This amazing stone fortress is surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, pools, and other structures. This place is very popular among tourists who travel around Sri Lanka.

The ruins of the city of Sigiriya, built by King Kassapa I, who killed his father, are located on the slopes of a mountain 370 meters high above sea level. This peak is called Lion Rock and is surrounded on all sides by jungle. The entrance to the city was a huge mouth of a lion… from which now only paws remain.

Let's find out the history of this grand structure...

The fact is that it is impossible to assert any reliability of the events described, because we are talking about the 5th century, but the history of the construction of a fortress in the rock near Sigiriya is as follows. King Kassapa I, having immured his own father in the wall, ascended the throne and began to rebuild with the hands of his slaves a safe fortification to continue his dark vile deeds. After a couple of decades, Kassapu was killed by his ... brother (with the beautiful name Moggallan). If you go into bloody details, then Kassapa, having such a high and strong shelter, turned out to be so stupid that he perched on an elephant and, taking his army, went out to fight Moggallan and his army. The defeated king, facing reprisals, hastily laid hands on himself.

Or here's another option:

King Datusen (459-477) had two sons. The eldest is Kassapa, the youngest is Mogallan. The eldest was supposed to inherit the throne, but the father decided to transfer the reign to Mogallan, since Kassapa was the son of one of the many concubines. Kassapa became very angry and in 477, in a fit of anger, he killed his father. Mogalan, fearing that the same fate awaits, fled to South India.

Fearing revenge, Kassapa decided to build a capital in hard to reach place. The rock of Sigiriya became such a place - its height is almost 200 meters. The chosen place was cleared, and in a short time was erected a beautiful city with many gardens and fountains.

Kassapa ruled this fortress for 18 years and finally decided to fight with his brother. He sent him a challenge, and he accepted it. Two huge armies met on the plain. But luck was not on the side of Kassapa, his troops fled. Left alone, Kassapa cut his own throat. Thus ended the history of the great city on the top of Sigiriya: Mogallan ordered to erase all traces of his brother's rule by destroying the citadel. The old capital Anaradhapura was rebuilt again.

In general, archaeologists authoritatively assert that approximately 1000 years before Kassapa, Buddhist monks had already chosen the Lion Rock and, in general, the rock and its environs did not stop attracting people for life and prayer for many hundreds of years before and after the moment when Sigiriya was a shelter. It is interesting that with its role as the protector of the king, the rock coped very conditionally. Although, in addition to sentinel platforms with guards, fortifications were built on the top, from which at any moment it was possible to drop huge stone boulders on the attackers. The mountain turned out to be more suitable as a haven for religious cults.

Of course, the main attraction of this place is the mountain palace, located at an altitude of 200 meters.

Archaeologists suggest that the palace was built at the end of the 4th century. The initiator of the construction was a parricide monarch named Kasapa, who fled to these remote places, fearing the revenge of his brother - the real heir.

Sigiriya during prehistoric times had its inhabitants and was used as a mountain refuge monastery from around the 5th century BC, with caves and monasteries. The garden and the palace were built a little later by King Kasapa. After the death of Kasapa, the place again became a monastery until the 14th century, after which it was abandoned. The Sigiri inscriptions were deciphered by the archaeologist Senarat Paranavitana in his famous work published at Oxford. He also wrote the popular book The History of Sigiriya.

The Sigiriya rock, 370 meters above sea level, is formed from the magma of an extinct and long-term collapsing volcano. The rock rises high above the surrounding plain, visible for miles in all directions. The rock, resting on a steep embankment, rises above a flat plain.

Researchers believe that even before the construction of the mountain palace, people settled here (mostly monks and hermits). The palace became a monastery after the death of Kasapa, and a few decades later it was completely abandoned by people.

The story begins with the earliest evidence of human presence in Sigiriya, which was found in the mountain shelter of Aligala in the eastern part of the cliff. These finds prove that the area was inhabited almost five thousand years ago during the Mesolithic. During the third century BC, there were mountain shelters-caves arranged by Buddhist monks. These structures were built between the third century BC and the first century AD.

During the reign of King Kasapa from 477 to 495 AD, Sigiriya was developed into a complex city, becoming an impregnable fortress. Majority complex buildings on a mountainous high ground, including defensive structures, palaces and gardens, dated to the reign of Kasapa

The complex of structures on the mountain is impressive due to the combination of symmetrical and asymmetrical elements. It seems that there is no order in the buildings of the Sigiriya Palace, but in general they all harmoniously combine with each other.

Kasapa ceased to rule in 495 AD, and Sigiriya again turned into a Buddhist monastery - the monks were here until the fourteenth century. After these events, no mention of Sigiriya was discovered until the seventeenth century, when the area became the Kingdom of Kandy. When Kandy's reign ended, Lion Rock was abandoned again.

Archaeological work here began in the 1890s. H.C.P Bell was the first archaeologist to conduct an extensive survey of the area around Sigiriya. Large-scale research began in 1982, initiated by the government of Sri Lanka

Of course, today only ruins remain of the palace, but even these remnants of its former grandeur are impressive. In the western part of the palace complex there was a park with several pools. Water was delivered to the top of the mountain using a system of mechanisms that has survived intact to this day.

The ancient castle built by Kasyapa has survived on the top of the hill to this day, as well as parts of the fortress. Despite their age, some of the solutions of the palace builders are still striking in their ingenuity - water storage tanks still hold water in themselves, and the moats and walls surrounding the palace are still graceful and beautiful.

The gardens of Sigiriya are the most central part of this area, as they are one of the most landscaped gardens in the world. The gardens are divided into three distinct areas: water gardens, rock gardens, and terraced gardens.

The famous part of Sigiriya is the mirror wall. Initially, this wall was so well polished that the king could see himself while walking next to it. The wall is made of special porcelain, and partly covered with poems scribbled by visitors to the Lion Rock. The oldest of the Sigiriya verses date back to the 8th century. Many visitors wrote on the wall about love, irony and various events.

The entrance to the main part of the ancient city, that is, to the palace, was decorated with lion paws and was probably intended only for members of the royal dynasty. Initially, the entrance was a lion's head, that is, to get into the palace, it was necessary to go through an open mouth! Unfortunately, time did not spare such a unique gate...

One of the main tasks in organizing defense at such an impressive height was the task of collecting and preserving water in the quantity and quality in which it was required by the king, army and servants. In the city, at the foot of the cliff, a double moat was dug, in the city baths, ponds and fountains were filled. At that time, the L-shaped pool system implemented in Sigiriya was a real engineering miracle! And even underground, it was possible to organize pipes for supplying water from the fortress moats to the remote ends of the city. The pipes were made from fired clay.

The mirror corridor led to the royal chambers. Once it was one of the most luxurious premises of the Sigiriya Palace. There were several hundred frescoes here, most of which depicted half-naked women - the ruler's concubines. It is worth noting that several frescoes have survived to this day.

The ancient temple at the top of the cliff was a gigantic art gallery, with frescoes covering most of the western slope of the cliff, covering an area 140 meters long and 40 meters high. Now many of the frescoes of Sigiriya are lost forever, but the style of this painting is considered unique and inimitable. Sigiriya is the most valuable asset of Sri Lanka, therefore it is in a special account with the government.

Of course, the colors on them have faded, but the images on them can still be seen. Researchers believe that natural paints based on beeswax and egg white were used to create these frescoes. This, according to scientists, gave the frescoes such durability.

By themselves, the pictures depicting girls on the ceilings in the rock at a height of about 100 meters are nothing more than pretty drawings. Surprised by their quantity and quality of performance. The frescoes at some point in the history of Sigiriya tried to be washed away. About who exactly is depicted in the frescoes: a queen with servants or girls mourning the death of a king with flowers or heavenly nymphs, which are part of the mythical stories of Sri Lanka, scientists still argue. Now you can see only 21 girls, but the traces left at different stages of rock painting speak of 500 girls painted on a 140 meters long section of the rock!

From the mountain "lion rock" offers a magnificent view of the surrounding area. From here, as in the palm of your hand, are rice fields, forests and small lakes. Once on this hill there was a royal pool along with a huge throne.

For a long time, the Sigiriya Palace was considered destroyed and lost somewhere in the forests, but in the middle of the 19th century it was discovered. A lot of restoration work was carried out here, which are still ongoing. The Mountain Palace has been listed world heritage UNESCO, and is very popular among tourists. Every year thousands of travelers come here to see the ruins of the ancient palace with their own eyes!

Indeed, the history of the emergence of Sigiriya is shrouded in numerous legends. In the fifth century AD, Kasapa (477-495), the eldest son of King Datusena (459-477), was supposed to inherit the throne, but the father decided in favor of the youngest son Mogallan (Kasapa's mother was a concubine). Kasapa was inflamed with hatred for his father and imprisoned him, and in 477 participated in his death. Mogallana was horrified by the terrible deeds of his older brother and fled to South India. Fearing revenge, Kasapa decided to build a capital in an inaccessible place. And he chose the rock of Sigiriya, 370 m high.

The king and his architects cleared the area around the rock and built a magnificent city surrounded by gardens with fountains and pools. They built the most amazing stairs in the world: the steps are carved between the paws, throat and jaws of the incredible size of a lion. The lion is the emblem of the state and a form of intimidation. The part of the rock, above the lion's head, was painted with images of Kasapa and his father Datusena. At the top of the rock was built a palace - a citadel. The citator begins with a "platform of a lion", from which only paws remain. Steps lead to a 1.7-hectare terrace where the palace once stood. From the gigantic figure of a lion carved into the rock, the mouth of which once served as the entrance to the fortress, only paws survived, but on the surface of the rock, the most curious poetic inscriptions left by visitors to Sigiriya, starting from the 8th century, are still preserved.

According to the description of travelers, the pediment of the palace, built of marble and surrounded by gardens and ponds, was lined with precious stones. The gigantic royal throne is well preserved. It is impossible not to be surprised at how the builders of those times raised the necessary building materials onto the rock. Brick walls were erected along the edges of the cliff with narrow platforms for sentries, where they could not sleep, risking falling. The stones on the rock were always ready in case of someone's intrusion. One of them is still holding on, ready to fall.

Travelers also describe a frescoed gallery and a "mirror wall" polished with a mineral. The frescoes, depicting a procession of princesses or palace ladies, as if floating in the air, and covered with a mixture of egg white and wild bee honey, have retained their bright colors.

No one knows who they are, perhaps just a figment of the artist's imagination. They wore rich jewelry, tiaras support their hair, and flowers in their hands. Frescoes occupied the entire wall of the gallery. Unfortunately, only 18 out of 500 frescoes have survived. The scratches on the "mirror wall" next to the gallery are simple poems dedicated to the beauty of these women.

The western and southern slopes are divided into terraces, where the premises for servants and guards were located. On the western slope, two flights of steps lead up to the rock. One staircase passes next to a cave dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite, whose figurine was discovered here in the 12th century during the reign of King Parakramabahu. A huge dissected boulder attracts attention, on one half of which a water tank is hollowed out. On the other, fallen half, there is a throne and a square platform where meetings of a member of the council of ministers may have taken place.

According to another version, theatrical performances were staged here. In a cave below a boulder called the "hood of a cobra", traces of ancient painting on the ceiling - a biography of Kasapa. Among the boulders around the rock, several places of a religious nature were found. The cave temple contains an undated torso of a Buddha statue on which monks meditated. Preaching Rock, a huge boulder from which sermons were delivered, has a huge number of miniature niches where oil lamps were lit at noon...

For 18 years of ruling from the top of the cliff, Kasapa imagined himself the master of the universe. Confident in his strength, he sent a message to his brother, who had returned from India with an army, that he wanted to fight him on the plain. But the decision was unsuccessful. In the midst of the battle, the elephant of Kasapa moved to the nearest pond to drink water. The army decided that the king was fleeing and began to retreat. Left alone, Kasapa cut his own throat. Mogallana destroyed the citadel, destroying the traces of the former owner, and, taking power into his own hands, restored the capital in Anurahapura.

Restoration work is underway now. Based on literary evidence and archaeological excavations, there is another version of the appointment of Sigiriya. Meteorological data since 1895 indicate that the wind and rain of the two monsoons stopped field work for 8 months of the year. February-March are the only months when construction work is possible in this region of the country.

Of the 18 years of Kasapa's reign, only five years remain for construction, and this includes such colossal work as: clearing the terrain, transporting marble, making and firing bricks, gouging niches in the rock to fix bricks, building a gallery and a "mirror wall", preparing the rock surface for painting, working on top of a rock, not to mention building around the rock itself. Even if we imagine that thousands of workers were involved, it is practically impossible to complete all these grandiose works in such a short time.

The palace theory also does not stand up to scrutiny. During excavations on the top of the rock, a rectangular platform measuring 13 x 7 m was found, which was unconditionally recognized as the palace of Kasapa. But if this is a palace, then why are there no traces of the presence of rooms, toilets, columns, recesses for columns? The remains of a tiled roof were also not found, but a vessel was found in which the relics were kept. How could a tiled roof withstand the onslaught of monsoon winds and rains? The giant stone-hewn throne south of the platform and at a lower level is the only structure on the summit that shows signs of a once-existing roof (or canopy) protected by a vertically rising stone wall. In 1833, a stupa was discovered on the top, which existed at the beginning of our century; now this place is marked with pegs. Archaeologists have found at least 2 periods of construction at the top of the rock and 5 at the bottom. If the palace and gardens of Sigiriya are the work of Kasapa, then who is responsible for the other 4 periods of construction activity?

The ruling monarchs were the patrons of the faith. The order of monks enjoyed great privileges in the form of royal subsidies, prestige and patronage. Archaeological excavations confirm that already in the II century. BC, there was a large monastic complex here, as evidenced by the presence a large number cave temples on the western and northern slopes (excavations have not yet been conducted on the southern and eastern slopes). Inscriptions of the 2nd century AD were found in one of the caves. given this, one cannot even allow the thought that Kasapa, in a difficult situation for himself, would decide to go into conflict with the monks only in order to build a palace on top of a rock. The presence of the army on the territory of the monastery is also impossible. On the contrary, the king, the army and the population had to support and protect the guardians of the teachings of the Buddha in every possible way, which Kasapa did. Kasapa could not cut the branch on which he sat. During this period of time, the Temple of the Tooth Relic and the relic itself (symbol royalty) were located in Anuradhapura, where the government was also located. In Anuradhapura, Kasapa built several temples, including the Kasub temple - Bo-Upulvan (in honor of the god Vishnu). All these facts speak for the fact that Kasapa visited Sigiriya, but could not live there.

This rock was also all in gardens, including terraced ones. Artificial pools for water everywhere - from top to bottom. And the entire water engineering system is able to operate even now. It is not always clear how it is inside, in the rock, but it works. Outside, you can only see cut drains to drain water, they are in all the caves along the road.

It is unlikely that the construction work of Kasapa in Sigiriya, the patron of the Mahayana sect (the liberal trend of Buddhism), could be approved in the Mahavamsa chronicles, which mainly describe the history of Buddhism and the relationship of the ruling monarchs with the church, from which we learn the history of Sigiriya and which were written in the XIII century by the Theravada sect (the teaching of the elders is the orthodox direction of Buddhism). The gap of seven centuries between events and their recording was in the hands of chroniclers: it is much more convenient to distort real events and expose Kasapa in a false light as a crazy genius than to glorify his adherence to a hostile direction of Buddhism. The Theravada movement denies the existence of savior gods, whose main mission is to alleviate our suffering in this life.

The meaning of the painting of Sigiriya can be understood only when the purpose of the complex itself is clear. Usually painting performs a certain role: decorative (as, for example, obo), or trying to make an impact, convey some specific idea, not necessarily understandable to mere mortals. Taking into account that the complex is the center of the Mahayana sect, it is not difficult to guess who is depicted in the frescoes. One of the most respected and revered goddesses of the Mahayana sect is the goddess Tara, the star, the mother of all Buddhas. But why are there so many images of the same face on Sigiriya rock? Repetition, a very popular way of expressing feelings in Buddhist art, conveys the magical power of the deity, not through colossal size, but through repeated repetition, a sense of infinity. Examples of this are found in India, Central Asia, China, Indonesia, Burma.

One such example in Sri Lanka is the Dambulla Cave Temple. The inscriptions on the "mirror wall", left mainly by visitors of the 8th-10th centuries, mention the place as Sihigiri - the Rock of Remembrance. And the chronicles of the 13th century Mahavamsa call the rock Sihigiri - the Rock of the Lion. Believers, rising to the gallery, to the "lion's platform" and finally to the top of the rock, constantly saw before their eyes the image of the goddess Tara.

Visually representing the goddess and worshiping her, believers hoped that Tara would alleviate their suffering and show the way to salvation. Sigiriya is a reminder to believers of Tara, hence the name Rock of Remembrance. The call to meditation is the meaning of the painting of Sigiriya, the patroness of which was the goddess Tara.

According to eyewitness accounts of the 19th century, the steps, starting from the “lion platform”, were decorated with sculptures of lions. Examples of the identification of the goddess Tara with a roaring lion are found in India (Ghost, M - The Development of Eastern Indian Buddhist Iconography: 1980). As time went on, Tara was forgotten ordinary people. This is supported by the fact that visitors from the 10th century and later no longer mentioned Tara, but identified the women in the frescoes with the wives of Kasapa, which was encouraged by the propaganda of the Theravada sect.

Given the above facts, we can conclude: Sigiriya has never been either a capital or a fortress. It was the aesthetically planned monastic complex of the Mahayana Buddhist sect for more than 20 centuries. It was easier to lead a righteous life surrounded by beautiful scenery and a favorable climate. Powerful ramparts with moats diverted excess rainwater outside the territory of the monastery, which would otherwise have been flooded. The so-called palace was nothing more than an open meditation hall, and the flowering gardens and ponds created the perfect setting for this. Reservoirs of water for ritual ablutions and decorative purposes are not uncommon in Buddhist temples and monasteries.

Among the most remarkable aspects of Sigiriya's urban design are its mathematically based planning and absolute clarity of design. The city plan is based on an exact square module. All buildings and structures are located strictly in relation to the center of coordinates - the palace complex on top of the cliff. The eastern and western entrances clearly correspond to the east-west axis. The royal water gardens, moats and ramparts of the western zone are based on an 'echo' or "mirror" plan which duplicates the arrangement on both sides between north and south from east to west. In its complete concept, Sigiriya is a brilliant combination of symmetry and asymmetry in a block of geometric planning and natural form.

Often with low cloud cover at the top, there is an extraordinary effect when the cloud lies on top of the rock and people walk waist-deep in white clouds. It makes you feel like you're walking in heaven. This unusual effect shocks even experienced travelers.

For a very long time, the Sigiriya fortress was known only according to legend. They thought it no longer exists. However, in the middle of the 19th century, the ruins of this great structure were discovered. Now active work is underway to restore Sigiriya. The monument is under the protection of UNESCO.

Today, Sri Lanka and the top of Sigiriya are incredibly popular: every year thousands of people from all over the world come here to look at one of the wonders of antiquity, which has survived to this day.

This massive monolith of red stone, steeply falling down from all sides, is visible from everywhere. The rock rises 349 m above sea level and 180 m above the surrounding jungle. The Sigiriya Fortress is shaped like a crouched lion, the entrance to the huge building was once located in the lion's mouth. Today, only giant paws remain of this lion, but the outline of the beast still dominates the plain. Halfway to the top of the cliff, a brightly colored image of a procession of maidens has been preserved.

The fortress was absolutely impregnable, so that its defenders could withstand any siege. Two thousand years ago, hunters settled here, and in the 5th century. n. e. Sigiriya became the center of Sinhalese rule in Sri Lanka; the period of its prosperity in one of the Ceylonese written monuments is described as "a time of cruel passions, romantic beauty and superhuman efforts, which have no analogues in the bloody Sri Lankan history." Really bloody: this beautiful island and now threatens Civil War (no wonder its shape is also compared with a tear).

In 459, Dhatusena, a Sinhalese of noble birth, defeated the Tamils ​​who opposed him and founded a new capital, Anuradhapura, in the northwest of the island. Soon, from his younger wife, his son Kasapa was born. But then the eldest wife also gave birth to a son, Mogallan, who became the legitimate heir to the throne. But Kasapa did not want to put up with this. In 477 he seized power and walled up his father alive. Mogallana, saving his life, fled to the south of India, inhabited by Tamils.

Kasapa entered the history of Sri Lanka as a cruel, ruthless ruler. All his actions were dictated by fear of the return of the rightful heir. Almost immediately after parricide and the seizure of power, he began to strengthen the already impregnable rock of Sigiriya and eventually erected a magnificent palace on top of this giant megalith, which became his residence for the entire reign (11 years).

Even today it is easy to imagine this treacherous ruler sitting on a smooth stone - the "royal throne" - and admiring the luxurious gardens laid out below, on the plain. But the surrounding beauty did not please Kasapa, his gaze constantly rushed to the horizon, where at any moment his brother, who had been overthrown, could appear.

And these fears were not in vain. In 495, Moggallana, burning with revenge, returned to Sri Lanka with the support of Tamil warriors. Kasapa, to his misfortune, descended from the cliff to meet the enemy on the way. However, the giant elephant on which he sat was cut off from the main army. Left alone, Kasapa committed suicide by cutting his own throat. Mogallan won the victory and proclaimed himself ruler. The capital was again moved to Anuradhapura, and the fortress of Sigiriya was forgotten. She was "captured" by the jungle, and the monks settled in the local caves.

Climbing up to Sigiriya, you can see the once majestic royal pool, the throne, the remains luxurious palace, parks and gardens. But keep in mind, climbing the rock is quite difficult; even for people in good physical shape, it takes 2-3 hours.

Open: daily 7.00-18.00. Entrance fee or single ticket in the "Cultural Triangle"

Sigiriya is also known for its magnificent complex of geometric gardens, ponds, fountains and buildings.

The water garden is a striking example of early hydraulics, providing the park with surface drainage, erosion control, a cooling system, and various decorative water features. There was even an artificial lake with a dam-boy 12 km long, and in water gardens there were pools, reservoirs and islands surrounding a large pavilion. The water supply of the fountains is well calculated, they operate to this day.

To the north of the fortress is Pidurangala rock, where there is a Buddhist monastery and cave temples. One of the largest statues of the reclining Buddha is also kept here.

The next day after the cave temples, we went to look at the main attraction of Sri Lanka, Sigiriya. This is the undisputed number one of the most interesting places on the island, many even compare Sigiriya with Machu Picchu. It will be interesting for both nature lovers and history connoisseurs.

At the beginning, a few words about the history of Sigiriya. Sigiriya is a rocky plateau with a height of 370 m, the height above the surrounding valley is almost 200 m. In Sinhala, it means "lion rock". At the end of the 5th century, the king of Sri Lanka, Kasapa, built a fortress and his palace on the rock. The king was the same type, according to later chronicles. He walled his father alive in the wall, and drove his brother, who by law was supposed to inherit the throne, to India. But fearing his return and revenge, Kasapa just erected this impregnable fortress.

However, as I understand accurate history no one knows this place. It is highly doubtful that in the short period of his reign, Kasapa managed to build such an impressive complex. Most likely, he really visited Sigiriya, in which there was a Buddhist monastery before and after him, to which most of the grandiose buildings belong. But everything that the guides will tell you should be skeptical. Over time, the monks left Sigiriya and everyone forgot about this place until the British accidentally stumbled upon it at the beginning of the 19th century.

But now everything is in order. After the visit, we spent the night in its vicinity. And in the morning we immediately went to Sigiriya, because. it is advisable to visit it early before the onset of the heat of the day. Otherwise, climbing 200 meters will turn into torture. Fortunately, Dambulla and Sigiriya are only 30 km apart, so we arrived quickly.

At the entrance to Sigiriya again watched the monkeys. Here smart creatures have mastered the bungee. They swung on vines and jumped from them into the lake. The spectacle is simply intoxicating. In the photo, the moment when the monkey flops into the water.

I swam and went to beg for food from tourists.

This time I decided to immediately take a guide at the box office. The guide cost $30. He vowed to take us along some route known only to him and the longest, and not the standard route for tourists. And, to check, the guide turned out to be the coolest of the whole trip. He told lies very enthusiastically and interestingly, without him Sigiriya would not have been so impressive, I'm sure.

In front of the rock stretches a very vast area with gardens, ponds and fountains.

From any point you can see the same rock that we had to climb.

Following the guide, we went to the ascent to the top of Sigiriya. On the way, he told all sorts of stories that Kasapa was very loving and had 500 wives or mistresses. The favorite occupation of the king was to watch how all this herd splashed in the pools around Sigiriya.

The rock is getting closer.

On the left is one of the guides, they are easily recognizable by the identical umbrellas in their hands.

The wasp warning is no joke. Relatively recently, there was a case when our (what else) tourists disturbed the nests and then the complex had to be closed for a couple of weeks, because. just clouds of these evil insects were flying around.

The guide turned out to be well done and did not deceive, we really separated from the main flow of tourists and made a fair detour before climbing. On the way, he told a lot of things and showed all sorts of interesting places, such as the gate in the picture below, but almost everything disappeared from his head in a year and a half.

Pay attention to the steps carved in stone, this is how they used to climb to Sigiriya.

From this place began an endless staircase upward. According to the guide, this bench is Kasapa's throne, on which he waited for his porters to rest before the long climb.

All right, it's time to go upstairs.

The remains of the tower, on which there were sentries, surveying the surroundings in search of an approaching enemy.

We haven't even gone halfway yet, but already great views. On the right you can see the road along which we came from the entrance to the complex.

And here the main thing is not to miss the most beautiful place Sigiriya. This climb leads to the famous frescoes. Be sure not to be lazy and go up there.

All this for the sake of these unique boobs girls. Of the original 500, only 18 remain, but even in this form, the drawings are amazing. They are over 1500 years old, but so far, thanks to a technology similar to porcelain, the paints are well preserved. Who these madams are not known for certain, the guide said that they were Kasapa's concubines. But in fact there are many versions.

The place is very popular with tourists.

Following interesting place is a mirrored wall. At the time of Kasapa, it was polished to a mirror state. Passing through the gallery, the king could look into it. Now there are only a couple of areas that really seem to be mirrored.

We are higher and higher.

Remains of some buildings. Gil said it was the barracks for the Sigiriya guards.

This building is beyond doubt. Before us is one of the defensive tricks of Kasapa. Stones under the rock were knocked out and this bulk fell on the attackers.

And here we are at the finish line. There remained the last most difficult part of the climb up the almost vertical and eerie (with its unsteadiness) stairs. It was at this place that the main entrance to Sigiriya was located. And he looked like a giant lion, into whose mouth a ladder led. Now only paws remain from the lion.

A similar rock rises near Sigiriya.

We rise from the lion's gate along a flimsy staircase to the very top to the Kasapa's palace.

The views are getting better with every step.

Hurray, crawled to the very top.

View of the ponds where Kasapa's 500 concubines were splashing.

The buildings at the very top did not survive, only foundations and pools. But it still inspires.

Kasapa was very fond of water apparently.

Once upon a time, artificial rivers and fountains flowed here. A separate topic is how the water was raised to such a height.

Kasyapa (r. 477-495), the eldest son of King Datusena (r. 459-477), was supposed to succeed the throne, but the father decided in favor of the younger son Mogallan (Kasyapa's mother was a concubine). Kasyapa was inflamed with hatred for his father and imprisoned him, and in 477 participated in his death. Mogallana was horrified by the terrible deeds of his elder brother and fled to South India. Fearing revenge, Kasyapa decided to build a capital in an inaccessible place. And he chose the rock of Sigiriya, 170 m high. The king and his architects cleared the area around the rock and built a magnificent city surrounded by gardens with fountains and pools. They built the most amazing stairs in the world: the steps are carved between the paws, throat and jaws of the incredible size of a lion. The lion is the emblem of the state and a form of intimidation. The part of the rock, above the lion's head, was painted with images of Kasyapa and his father Datusena. At the top of the rock was built a palace - a citadel.

The citator begins with a "platform of a lion", from which only paws remain. Steps lead to a 1.7-hectare terrace where the palace once stood. According to the description of travelers, the pediment of the palace, built of marble and surrounded by gardens and ponds, was lined with precious stones. The gigantic royal throne is well preserved. It is impossible not to be surprised at how the builders of those times raised the necessary building materials onto the rock. Brick walls with narrow platforms for sentries were erected along the edges of the cliff. the western and southern slopes are divided into terraces, where the premises for servants and guards were located.

For 18 years of ruling from the top of the rock, Kasyapa imagined himself the master of the universe. Confident in his strength, he sent a message to his brother, who had returned from India with an army, that he wanted to fight him on the plain. But the decision was unsuccessful. In the midst of the battle, the elephant of Kasyapa moved to the nearest pond to drink water. The army decided that the king was fleeing and began to retreat. Left alone, Kasyapa cut his own throat. Mogallana destroyed the citadel, destroying the traces of the former owner, and, taking power into his own hands, restored the capital in Anurahapura.

Based on literary evidence and archaeological excavations, there is another version of the appointment of Sigiriya. Meteorological data since 1895 indicate that the wind and rain of the two monsoons stopped field work for 8 months of the year. February-March are the only months when construction work is possible in this region of the country. So out of the 18 years of Kasyapa's reign, only five years remain for construction, and this includes such colossal works as: clearing the terrain, transporting marble, making and firing bricks, gouging niches in the rock to fix bricks, building a gallery and a "mirror wall", preparation rock surface for painting, work on top of the rock, not to mention building around the rock itself. Even if we imagine that thousands of workers were involved, it is practically impossible to complete all these grandiose works in such a short time.

The palace theory also does not stand up to scrutiny. During excavations on the top of the rock, a rectangular platform measuring 13 m × 7 m was found, which was unconditionally recognized as the palace of Kasyapa. But if this is a palace, then why are there no traces of the presence of rooms, toilets, columns, recesses for columns? The remains of a tiled roof were also not found, but a vessel was found in which the relics were kept. How could a tiled roof withstand the onslaught of debris winds and rains? The giant stone-hewn throne south of the platform and at a lower level is the only structure on the summit that shows signs of a once-existing roof (or canopy) protected by a vertically rising stone wall. In 1833, a stupa was discovered on the top, which existed at the beginning of our century; now this place is marked with pegs. Archaeologists have found at least 2 periods of construction at the top of the rock and 5 at the bottom. If the palace and gardens of Sigiriya are the work of Kasyapa, then who is responsible for the other 4 periods of construction activity?

Archaeological excavations confirm that already in the II century. BC. there was a large monastic complex here, as evidenced by the presence of a large number of cave temples on the western and northern slopes (excavations have not yet been carried out on the southern and eastern slopes). In one of the caves, inscriptions of the 2nd century BC were found. n. e. Considering this, one cannot even allow the thought that Kasyapa, in a difficult situation for himself, would decide to go into conflict with the monks only in order to build a palace on top of a rock. The presence of the army on the territory of the monastery is also impossible. On the contrary, the king, the army and the population had to support and protect the guardians of the teachings of the Buddha in every possible way, which Kasyapa did.

During this period of time, the Temple of the Tooth Relic and the relic itself (a symbol of royalty) were located in Anuradhapura, where the government was also located. In Anuradhapura, Kasyapa built several temples, including the Kasub temple - Bo-Upulvan (in honor of the god Vishnu). All these facts speak for the fact that Kasyapa visited Sigiriya, but could not live there.

The inscriptions on the "mirror wall", left mainly by visitors of the 8th-10th centuries, mention the place as Sihigiri - the Rock of Remembrance. A chronicle of the XIII century. The Mahavamsa is called the rock Sihigiri - Lion's Rock. Believers, going up to the gallery, to the "lion's platform" and, finally, to the top of the rock, constantly saw before their eyes the image of the goddess Tara, who was identified with a roaring lion and, according to one version, was depicted on numerous frescoes of the Lion Rock.

Given the above facts, we can conclude: Sigiriya has never been either a capital or a fortress. It was the aesthetically planned monastic complex of the Mahayana Buddhist sect for more than 20 centuries. Powerful ramparts with moats diverted excess rainwater outside the territory of the monastery, which would otherwise have been flooded. The so-called palace was nothing more than an open meditation hall, and the flowering gardens and ponds created the perfect setting for this. Reservoirs of water for ritual ablutions and decorative purposes are not uncommon in Buddhist temples and monasteries.

The ruins of Sigiriya were discovered in the middle of the 19th century. English hunter. The existence of the fortress became known to Europeans only in 1907, when the British explorer John Steele described the "huge picture gallery" of Sigiriya - "perhaps the largest picture in the world." This is a hall of mirrors, previously lined with porcelain, with numerous frescoes that stretch 140 m in length and 40 m in height.

Sigiriya is one of the most visited attractions in Sri Lanka. Even the extortionate cost of the entrance ticket does not stop the huge flow of tourists. Lion Rock has no analogue not only in Ceylon, but probably in all of Asia, so for many travelers ancient city is a must see.

We, too, were not too lazy to make a difficult journey through the entire island and in this article we will share practical information: what to see, how to get to Sigiriya, where to stay for the night.

What is Sigiriya

As the old, like the world, legend says - in the 5th century. a certain king Datusen decided to leave the throne to his beloved younger son Mogallan. The eldest son of Kasap did not agree with the decision of his father, so he imprisoned the old man, and then killed him. Fearing that his brother's wrath would overtake him, Mogallan went on the run.

Do you think that Kasapa began to live happily ever after? No matter how! He lived in fear and worried that one day his brother would return to take revenge. Fearing for his life, Kasapa built the impregnable city of Sigiriya, and built a huge palace on a rocky plateau.

Despite the fact that only ruins remain from the former grandeur, you can still see some functional solutions. For example, pools on a rocky plateau that still hold water, moats around the palace complex and huge terraces with gardens.

According to the stories of historians, many centuries ago Sigiriya was a luxurious palace complex: with fountains, gardens, a large art gallery and subjects.

From the side of the western slope, you can still see the remains of ancient frescoes.

In this story, good triumphed over evil. Years passed, Mogallan gathered an army, overthrew his brother and destroyed his palace. After the death of Kasapa, Sigiriya continued to exist until the 14th century, but as a Buddhist monastery. Since 1982 The ancient complex is under the protection of UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

How to get to Sigiriya

Given the lack good roads, trains are perhaps the most convenient way movement.

Going to Sigiriya from Colombo, you will need to make two transfers.

• The first is in, since there is no railway. Trains Colombo - Kandy depart every 1-2 hours, the schedule can be see here. On the way ≈ 4 hours. The fare in second-class carriages is $2.

The Sri Lankans do not distinguish between the second and third class, but go into the car that they like. Paying for second-class fare will not make your trip more comfortable. The exception is the first class, in such cars they are allowed strictly on tickets in which the seat is indicated.

• In Kandy, you need to transfer to a bus that goes to the town of Dambula. The fare is $1. The journey will take ≈ 2 hours. Departure from the railway station.

From Dambula to the Lion Rock is already within easy reach, only 20 km. This distance can be traveled by bus (runs about once an hour), or by tuk-tuk.

There are also direct buses from Colombo to Dambula, but we did not dare to take them.

• First, the roads in Sri Lanka are just terrible;
• Secondly, the buses are too old and unreliable, and the drivers consider themselves skilled racers;
• Thirdly, public transport Sri Lanka is constantly crowded, you run the risk of riding while standing.

Sigiriya is the most expensive attraction in Sri Lanka. Entrance for tourists costs $30 (3900 rupees), and for locals only $1. To be honest, I don’t even remember in what other country we paid so much for admission. But what can you do, there are no workarounds! Control is carried out in several places, so it is unlikely that a hare will slip through. Even if you slipped into the territory of the complex, you won’t be able to climb the plateau without a ticket.

Opening hours: daily, 08.30 – 17.30

• The ascent to the plateau is quite difficult, try not to take a lot of things with you;
• Due to the high air temperature, the best time to visit - early morning;
• Don't forget hats and sunscreen, on the plateau you will be under the direct rays of the sun;
• I recommend taking water with you. After passing the control, nothing is sold;
• There are no toilets on the plateau, so take care of this in advance;
• If you want to save money, you can buy a single ticket for two and take turns going inside. Yes, it will be very long, but cheaper;

Accommodation in Sigiriya Sri Lanka

There will be no problems with housing in Sigiriya, but prices, however, as elsewhere in Sri Lanka, start at $ 25 per room. There are a lot of guesthouses and hotels in the area, you can arrange an overnight stay while in Sigiriya, or book a room online. According to my observations, the price on the site practically does not differ from the one that is called on the spot.