Having bought tickets from Moscow to Colombo, I rushed in search of those attractions that I want to see in Sri Lanka in the first place. And even though I got to Sigiriya almost last, she stood in my first place. How else?! You will have a look at the photographs taken against the background of Pride Rock. And having got acquainted with the past of this place, you can feel a genuine historical interest in it.
The word "Sigiriya" itself is translated from the Sinhalese language as "Lion Rock". It is a steep rocky plateau that has several features that make it famous. Firstly, this is a wonderful location - the rock rises 170 meters above the surrounding plains. Secondly, an interesting story. Below I will tell you in more detail about everything related to this attraction.
Story
It is believed that at the beginning of our era, Sigiriya was occupied by Buddhist monks who lived in the shadow of rocks and caves. Some of them, by the way, were carved into the stone by the inhabitants of the region themselves. In general, the silence at the top and the seclusion of Sigiriya make it an ideal place for Buddhists to live.
The palace at the top in the 5th century A.D. e. built by King Kashyapa, who treacherously took the throne from his brother, who was promised power by law. Kashyapa's brother fled to India. The king was afraid of revenge and decided to build his monastery where no one could get it. The most beautiful gardens were laid out around the rock, in which there were almost the first fountains in the world. For safety reasons, the tsar ordered that the wall enclosing the narrow path to the top be rubbed to a mirror finish. He wanted to admire his beauty, walking down to his subjects and going up. Looking at the domain from above, Kashyapa imagined himself to be omnipotent. Believe me - when you find yourself at such a height, the beauty of the surroundings will drive you crazy!
Eventually, when the brother returned to claim his rights, it was time for battle. Many supported the exiled heir to the throne, since the current ruler was no less a tyrant. Kashyapa moved into the vanguard of his army on top of an elephant. But at the most crucial moment, the elephant changed course, and the king's army thought that this was a signal to retreat. The usurper was left alone. As the legends say, Kashyapa, in order not to lose his honor, committed suicide by cutting his throat with a dagger. After that, his brother became, as it was intended, the ruler of the kingdom, and transferred the capital to Anuradhapura, where she was before. The plateau at the top was given to the Buddhists, who stayed there at least until the 15th century.
However, the history of Sigiriya is shrouded in fog. No one can say exactly how, why and why a fortress was built on the top of the cliff. I presented the main version to you a little higher, but there are speculations that Sigiriya was not at all the residence of the king, but rather a house of pleasure. Another theory is that Kashyapa was poisoned by his brother's spies. Whatever it was, I personally found the story of Sigiriya extremely interesting. It is interesting to walk around the entire complex, thinking about what life reigned here centuries ago.
Complex structure
When I climbed to the top and looked around the area, I was struck by the architecture and the precise layout of all the gardens, fountains, roads. Sigiriya is the real eighth wonder of the world. Just imagine what works were applied to the construction of all this beauty at the beginning of our era! Honestly, when you come to Sri Lanka and first observe the life of poor people, you no longer expect to see such unusual works of art as, for example, rock paintings from Sigiriya. All this, here and there, makes the culture of the country so unique.
Sigiriya is a UNESCO protected site. Ever since it was discovered by Europeans, archaeological excavations and exploration of the surroundings did not stop. Everything is saved in the form in which it was found. Such an amazing and harmonious interweaving of nature and cultural heritage, as in Sri Lanka, I have never seen anywhere else.
Gardens
In an amicable way, the Sigiriya Gardens begin behind the checkpoint where visitors' tickets are checked. But it seems to me that the park that you will cross before this can also be attributed to gardens. Not so much because of its architectural beauty, but because of its interesting inhabitants, which tourists love so much to be touched by.
On the way to the ticket office, you will see signs warning that here you can meet not only the usual squirrels, but also elephants, martens, and monkeys. Of course, elephants are a fairly rare occurrence, but I saw martens, monkeys and cute fluffy squirrels personally.
At the very beginning of this "park", if you can call it that, Sri Lankans set up shops with various snacks (for example, national pastries and fruits) and souvenirs. Prices for everything there are no higher than in cities. For example, you can buy one oolong (bun in the photo below) for 0.1 USD (10 LKR). By the way, near the ticket offices there is also a good cafe with excellent roti (these are such national thin pancakes, usually stuffed) and refreshing drinks at almost the same prices as in the city.
Now let's take a closer look at the man-made gardens of Sigiriya. They are mainly divided into two parts - the palace gardens (at the top) and the water garden.
When you hear the word "garden", what do you imagine? First of all, there are probably many different types of plants, hedges, figures of bushes ... Yes, of course, the surroundings of Sigiriya are covered with greenery, but the Sigiriya gardens are many pools and former fountains, which are symmetrically placed on both sides of the road to the rock. Of course, in some places they are surrounded by trees, and, perhaps, once there were all sorts of works of horticultural art, but now they are gone.
Most of the pools have bridges, you can navigate through all the gardens, studying them in detail. True, the muddy green color of the water slightly interferes with aesthetic pleasure, but there is nothing to be done about it. By the way, in the gardens there are reservoirs of natural origin, to which in ancient times animals descended to drink.
Mirror wall
On the way to the top, any guided tour group stops near this attraction. Actually, I presented the main information about this wall above - it was ordered to be rubbed to a shine by the king, who enjoyed his appearance in reflection. Looking at the dusty surface now, it is difficult to believe in such a legend. But you can't touch the wall to feel close to history. And all because of the inscriptions in different languages that have remained from time immemorial. Directly from these words, perhaps, the history of Sigiriya was once formed.
Having passed the Mirror Wall, I came to a fork. One path led up a narrow spiral staircase to a frescoed cave, and the second, wider and straighter, to the top of the cliff. No matter how much I was trying to climb up, curiosity overcame me, and I climbed the narrow stairs into a small cave. Its walls were decorated with many ancient and unique designs. No matter how hot you are, if you are a connoisseur of art, be sure to crawl to these images. :)
Rock
Actually, the beauty of the rock begins with two huge lion paws halfway up. It is because of them, probably, that the place itself was named. Some time ago, the face of a lion was also carved in the stone, but it collapsed a long time ago. The scale of this statue is striking - people seem to be grains of sand against its background. It is from the plateau on which the paws are located that the descent along the slope is carried out.
Having mastered the rise, you will find yourself at the top. Finally! Unfortunately, only the foundations of buildings remained there, between which you can run and run along stairs and paths, examining the surroundings from a height. No one gets up high enough to just gaze at the foundation, do they? :) Sri Lankans, for whom this place borders on a shrine in terms of significance, take pictures here and there, tourists queue up to places where the most beautiful background will be behind. So do not forget to grab yourself a "tasty" photo as a keepsake!
Museum
It is best to end your tour of the complex with a tour of the museum, inside of which there is no longer this crowd of tourists, who just did not give a passage on the top of the cliff. Personally, I have a special passion for layouts, and there are more than one of them in the museum. There you can learn more about the history of Sigiriya (in English), see a lot of reproductions and originals of frescoes, taken from the cliff for reasons of safety. And the friendly staff, if anything, will give you an interesting excursion. A crowd of monkeys will be waiting for you at the exit from the museum.
Climbing to the top
It seems to me that this is a very important point that must be taken into account. A few days after I had already made the ascent upstairs, I met elderly Englishmen who were sincerely interested in what time it was best for them to go upstairs and whether it was worth doing it at all. Let's take a look at a few nuances:
- No matter what time of year it is, Sigiriya is always full of tourists. This is the national dignity of the country, one of the main attractions of Sri Lanka! It is full of local residents, foreigners, who strive to the top in a slender row. A pleasant plus - the descent down goes along a separate sloping path, and not along the stairs along which you went up.
- You need to rise either early or early in the morning, when the sun has not yet begun to bake, or closer to sunset to meet the sunset. That is: either by 7 in the morning be near the ticket offices, or come there by 4 in the evening, when the heat begins to subside. However, the evening rise will still be heavier than the morning.
- In general, I would not call the climb difficult, but parents with babies in their arms and the elderly will find it difficult from time to time - some intervals of the way up the stairs are quite steep. It will be possible to rest only at the paws of the lion, since in other places the road is rather narrow and there is almost nowhere to sit.
How to get there
Below I will give information on how to make the dream of visiting the Sigiriya rock come true, starting from Dambulla and the village of the same name. I have already described in detail how to get to Dambulla.
From Dambulla
You can take any bus to Sigiriya. Several pieces leave during the day. Just ask Sigiriya Rock to drop you off. You will find yourself on the path from which your difficult path to the top will begin. The fare is about USD 0.13 (20 LKR, Sri Lankan rupees) per person on a regular bus. The second option is knock knock. For 6.6–7 USD (1000–1200 LKR), you can agree with the driver to take you to the place, wait and bring you back. Of course, you will have to bargain, and in great detail! :) By the way, Sigiriya Road is crossed by the paths of elephants here and there. It's a common thing to see them in the evening, but somehow I was unlucky.
Motorists and motorbikers can also easily reach Sigiriya along one of the country's main roads - Colombo-Trincomalee Highway. The trip will take you no more than 40 minutes (taking into account the fact that after the exit from the highway, the road becomes rather narrow, and you have to give way to buses to pass them).
From Sigiriya
From such areas of Dambulla as Kimbissa and the eponymous Sigiriya, I would advise you to go by tuk-tuk. You can negotiate with the driver for 2.6–3.3 USD (400–500 LKR) to take you there and back. One way trip will cost you USD 0.7–1 (LKR 100–150).
Of course, if you are trying to save as much as possible, you can also take a regular bus and go for a penny (less than 0.1 USD) before the start of the route to the rock. However, first check to see if you live within walking distance of it. The photo below is just one of the paths to the rock.
Parking
In terms of parking, the owners of motorbikes are most lucky - they can do the whole way to the ticket offices on their iron horse, reducing their walk by about a kilometer. Motorists will have to leave their vehicles before starting the walking trail near the Sigiriya Shrine, which you can read about below.
Admission
A visit to the cliff will cost you no less than 30 USD (4260 LKR). At the same time, admission for local people is only 0.33 USD (50 LKR). Unfortunately, these are the rules, but this money, in my opinion, is worth the impressions. By the way, children between the ages of 6 and 12 get a ticket for half the price, and those under 6 get free. Your ticket will also include a visit to the museum in the park.
Working hours
Sigiriya ticket offices are open from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm. At the same time, the last visitors are allowed in at 5 pm, since darkness falls soon enough after that. The sightseeing tour takes 3-4 hours. You will not pass the ticket office - it is right on the way to the cliff. Then, along the same path, you will go to the checkpoint, where your ticket will be checked.
What to see nearby
The surroundings of Sigiriya are rich in attractions. In such a small area, there is a lot of interesting things.
Mount Pidurangala
Not a bad cheap alternative to Sigiriya. The height of this mountain is approximately the same, and the entrance price is 8 times lower. Below and on the way to the top of Pidurangala there was previously a Buddhist monastery, in which pilgrims from all over the island flock. If you are not interested in the cultural and historical part of Sigiriya, and you only need beautiful views from above, go here! Significantly fewer tourists will be a pleasant plus.
Ramakele Stupa
It is believed that this stupa was built during the reign of that very king Kashyapa. It seems to me that this place will be interesting to visit for those people who descended from Sigiriya early and want to see as much as possible. Only the rounded lower part remained of the stupa, densely covered with a layer of moss. It is located right next to Sigiriya Road.
Sigiriya temple
Well, what about a place of historical importance for Buddhists and without a temple? When you find yourself at the beginning of the route to Sigiriya, you will have a choice - to turn one way towards the cliff and back to the temple. Be sure to look into the temple - although it is not some kind of work of art, it is definitely worth looking at the statue of Buddha, if you are interested.
- I would definitely not recommend visiting the place from 10 to 16 hours. The ascent is quite difficult, it takes about 50–90 minutes. Elderly people and children should head here just after dawn to avoid the crowds and the sweltering heat.
- Be extremely careful with monkeys! They cannot be touched, they cannot be smiled - they perceive this as signs of aggression towards themselves. You should not feed them either. In addition, monkeys can easily try to snatch the phone or camera from your hands, even jump on their shoulders for this. Any monkey bite should be treated urgently by a doctor.
- Stock up on water - at least 1.5 liters per person. If anything, you can get it at the cafe at the bottom of the cliff, but most likely you will need drinks earlier.
- A visit to Sigiriya is very well combined with.
The address: Sri Lanka
Coordinates: 7 ° 57 "25.4" N 80 ° 45 "36.2" E
Short description
Sigiriya - seat of Kassapa I
All his life, Kassapa will live in fear, fearing revenge from his brother. At the top of the cliff, the newly-minted king erected an impregnable citadel, around which he built high walls and moats filled with water, serving as a barrier to the assault.
Originally carved into the rock, the staircase leading to the top passed through the mouth of a giant brick lion, but today only two gigantic paws have survived from the terrifying sculpture. Since then, the mountain has received the name "Sigiriya", which means "Lion Rock". At the foot of the plateau, Kassapa laid out gardens. Some fountains still gush in these gardens, spraying water spray in the shape of a lotus.
View of the stairs leading to the top of the cliff and the lion's paws
Sigiriya landmarks
In addition to lion paws and fountains, a huge royal throne, as well as alleys, caves, have been preserved in Sigiriya; one of them, with traces of ancient painting on the ceiling, is called the Cobra Hood. Along the Lion Rock stretches the "Mirror Hall" - a stone niche 140 meters long and 40 meters high, decorated with frescoes. Almost life-size frescoes depict apsaras - celestial half-naked dancers, throwing flowers of water lilies through the clouds on the ground. The luxurious hairstyles of the "Sigirian maidens" are decorated with ribbons and ornaments. Women have massive earrings in their ears, necklaces around their necks, and bracelets studded with precious stones on their wrists.
Water reservoir
The inscription of the 5th century reads: "500 young beauties in their splendor are like the crown of glory of the royal treasures." Until now, only 18 frescoes have survived, but, despite the venerable age of the drawings, the colors have not lost their brightness. The "Mirror Wall" is plastered with a mixture of gypsum and lime mixed with egg whites and wild bee honey. Its polished surface is dotted with ancient verses (VIII century), praising the beauty of the "Sigirian virgins". For the convenience of tourists, the narrow staircase leading from the lion's paws of Sigiriya has been expanded and rebuilt from non-corrosive steel.
Throne of the king
Fall of Sigiriya - Retribution of Moggallan
Fearing the sword and poison, Kassapa at the same time imagines himself to be a god. Living in a luxurious palace at the top of the world, he was the embodiment of Kubera, the god of wealth. But the tale is over. 18 years passed, and in 495, one of the nights, Kassapa saw from the summit a huge army, led by Moggallan, advancing from the north to Sigiriya. Together with his army, Kassapa rushed to the enemy. The battle lasted for a long time, but suddenly Kassapa's war elephant fell into a swamp, roared and turned to the side. The soldiers took this step as a signal to retreat and left the battlefield. The defeated Kassapa, not wanting to surrender, drew a dagger from its sheath and cut his own throat.
Frescoes
Sigiriya fell. Time consigned to oblivion the dark, but true story of the patricide king, leaving only traces of the once formidable fortifications, the ruins of the royal palaces and images of the "Sigirian maidens" hovering in the niches of the "Mirror Hall".
- a huge rocky plateau, towering in the middle of the plain, and one of the most famous landmarks of Sri Lanka, which is located near the city of Dambula and is known for its unique frescoes and the ancient palace of King Kassapa. When we were planning a trip to Sri Lanka, we especially wanted to see Sigiriya, such a unique and popular place where thousands of tourists from all over the world come every day. Sigiriya got its name from the huge stone lion located below. A stone staircase leads from the entrance to the palace located on the top of the lion's rock. This freestanding rock is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and shrouded in legend.
Previously, we heard a lot about this mysterious place, and now we also had to storm the seemingly impregnable mountain Sigiriya, solving its secrets along the way. We were pleasantly surprised by the grandeur of the Lion Rock and the beautiful views from it. In the article, I will tell you all the details of visiting Sigiriya in Sri Lanka, I will share practical information on how to get there easier and which hotel is better to stay, show photos of ancient frescoes of royal concubines and share the secret of a free visit to Lion Rock. So, let's get down to storming the ancient fortress of Sigiriya together.
Sigiriya in Sri Lanka
First, I'll tell you what Sigiriya is in Sri Lanka and why it is so interesting.
- this is a huge rock on the island of Sri Lanka standing alone in the middle of the plain, which is unique in the whole world. In contrast, Sigiriya is not a volcanic mountain. She attracts everyone's attention from afar with her uniqueness. Passing by, you will not guess that not only you have paid your attention to it.
Earlier (from the 3rd century) Buddhist monks lived on its top, and then in the 5th century the paricide king Kasapa fled here. Having built a fortress on Sigiriya, he protected himself from everyone who wanted to take revenge on him and lived at an altitude of 183 meters for 18 years, never going down.
Isn't this story somewhat similar to the two-year imprisonment of the Jews on the same flat natural hill under the name? Kasapa also committed suicide, as did the Jewish rebels. This is where the similarity ends, because the regicide was himself to blame for his imprisonment, and the Jews resisted the invaders-Romans.
Basic information:
| Name | Sigiriya (or "Lion Rock" in translation from Sinhalese). The official name is Ancient City of Sigiriya. |
| Where is | In the central part of Sri Lanka, 170 km northeast of Colombo |
| GPS coordinates | 7 ° 57 ′ 25 ″ N, 80 ° 45 ′ 35 ″ E 7.956944, 80.759722 |
| What is | A rocky plateau with a fortress built on its top - the palace of King Kassapa, towering 170 meters above the plain in the center of the island of Sri Lanka. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982 |
| When was the Sigiriya fortress established? | Last quarter of the 5th century A.D. |
| What is famous for | Frescoes depicting half-naked concubines on a wall measuring 140 meters long and 40 meters high in the hall of mirrors on a cliff ledge |
| Number of surviving frescoes | 18 |
| Interesting fact | There was also a cave monastery on the rock before and after the reign of King Kassapa. |
| How to get there | By bus or tuk-tuk (taxi) from the nearby town of Dambulla, 25 km from Sigiriya |
Sigiriya is often called the Lion Rock because of the sculpture of a giant lion that stood in ancient times at the stairs to the mountain. Now it has already been destroyed, and only giant paws remain, which makes an indelible impression on all visitors. At this place, everyone must take a photo for memory. We, too, were delighted with the curious idea of the Sinhalese architects. It also seems to me that the rock itself is shaped like the body of a lion.
Over time, Sigiriya was abandoned, and magnificent palaces and water gardens now lie in ruins. However, time has spared the magnificent frescoes depicting the heavenly maidens (they are also called the king's concubines). These stone paintings are so impressive that thousands of tourists climb the Lion Rock every day to take a look at ancient Sinhalese art. Especially everyone likes half-naked young ladies.
Sigiriya on the map of Sri Lanka
Photo at the top of Sigiriya
Lion Rock is not located at the crossroads of the highway, but nevertheless, due to its popularity, it is very easy to get to Sigiriya. Buses from Polonnaruwa and Dambulla (this is the closest city to Sigiriya, there are only 15 km between them) pass next to it. And next to the rock there are many guesthouses and hotels.
There are several ways how to get to Sigiriya. I'll tell you about each of them separately:
- By bus: There are different buses from Dambulla to Sigiriya several times a day, the travel time is 30-40 minutes, and the fare is 40 rupees. Passing buses from Colombo, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura and Kurunegala all stop in Dambulla, and from there you can easily leave for Sigiriya. From Kandy to Sigiriya, it is best to take a tourist bus with a guided tour. Although it will cost much more than getting there on your own.
- By train: Sigiriya does not have its own train station. The nearest ones are on the Trincomalee branch - Kekirawa and Habarana, which can be reached from Colombo by train. From there, you need to change to a bus to Dambulla, and then change to a local bus from Dambulla to Sigiriya again. It turns out that this is not a convenient way at all.
- By car: if you have rented a car or are traveling with a driver-guide, then there is nothing to worry about. You will find yourself right at the gate to Sigiriya. This is the most convenient way to get to Sigiriya. Typically, a trip to the Sri Lanka Cultural Triangle costs $ 150-200, although guidebooks indicate much larger amounts.
- On a tuk-tuk: from Dambulla can be reached for Rs 700-900.
- On a motorbike: this method is suitable for those who know how to ride a motorcycle. It is quite easy to rent a motorbike in Sri Lanka, there is a large selection in the capital and in other cities. It is convenient to drive on your own, but you have to pay for gas and constantly make sure that it is not stolen.
This time we traveled in comfort, we were driven by a driver-guide, and therefore we happily avoided traveling by public transport in Sri Lanka at this stage of our journey through the island of Ceylon. However, the choice of a driver must be approached very carefully. Personal contact is very important.
Review of good hotels in Sigiriya
There are several good hotels and lodges near Sigiriya, although most prefer to stay where hotels are cheaper. Eco-tourism is very popular in Sri Lanka, so it is better to choose a quiet place away from the city and live among nature for a few days.
For example, one of these hotels called Heritance kandalama, is located on the slope of a cliff at the border of the forest and Lake Kandalama. It is literally made from everything natural. Here you can relax in harmony with the environment, and the walk from your room to the reception resembles a path through the jungle. Living in such a hotel is simply a unique experience. If you want to choose the best hotel near Sigiriya, I recommend booking Heritance Kandalama by this link >>
Heritance Kandalama Hotel
Another unique hotel in Sigiriya is Aliya Resort and Spa... This chic 5 * hotel is located near the Lion Rock (visible right from the pool). It offers 4 restaurants, a bar, a fitness center and a spa. There are individual tents in nature, made of eco-friendly materials, surrounded by tropical greenery. All rooms are stylishly decorated and highly rated by the staff. This hotel is in high demand, I recommend booking it in advance
- Hotel Sigiriya- grade 8.4 (4 *, the best view of the Sigiriya rock, restaurant, pool, spa)
- Sigiriya Village- grade 8.1 (4 * hotel, cottages in nature, great view, wooden furniture)
- Royal Retreat, Sigiriya- grade 8.0 (4 *, green area, playground, swimming pool, restaurant)
- Flower garden eco village- grade 8.4 (3 *, great hotel in nature, restaurant, bar, pool)
- Sigiri Rock Side Home Stay- grade 9.5 (inexpensive hotel near the cliff, delicious breakfast and dinner)
Read also:
Climbing Sigiriya to Kasapa Palace
Due to the fact that Sigiriya in Sri Lanka is one of the main attractions of the country, almost all tourists are brought here on excursions. The cost of visiting this UNESCO Cultural Heritage site is very high. This is especially true for budget travelers.
Sigiriya sightseeing map
What you need to know about Sigiriya:
Advice: it is best to conquer Sigiriya in the morning, when it is not so hot and there are fewer people. After 11 in the morning there will be pandemonium here.
At the entrance, Sigiriya welcomes visitors with water gardens and a very long road that leads to the foot of the mountain. On the way, you can admire the views of the Lion Rock itself, of the ruins of ancient gardens. A small hall is located in the Terrace Park, to the right of the main path.
This is how Lion Mountain appears before tourists. 
To see the water gardens in all their splendor, it is best to visit Sigiriya during the rainy season. 
The area around the mountain is very beautiful 
Terrace park is famous for huge megaliths, through which steps are built
The ascent begins at the lion's paws. The steps are pleasant at first, and then turn into iron spiral staircases, where you need to be careful.
On the way up, we stopped a lot to take photos and admire the gorgeous views: the gardens remaining inside, the white Buddha statue and the surrounding area in general. It is curious that the surface of the rock really resembles a lion's mane or melted sweetness that spread out from the heat. It would be interesting to know the geological origin of Sigiriya.
On the stairs 
Rock of amazing color 
The most interesting attraction of Sigiriya, in my opinion 
Nice view from the top 
And here is the most difficult part of the ascent to Sigiriya. If you don't want to climb stairs like this, stop at Lion's Paws
Finally, 200 meters of ascent were behind, and we found ourselves on the flat summit of Lion Rock. Here we first of all found a shady place and caught our breath after lifting. Many expect to see the magnificent royal mansions upstairs, but they are not here. In truth, Kasapa's palace is completely destroyed. All that was left of him was the pool, some walls in the rock, the throne and, in general, everything. But the views, like from any hill in Sri Lanka, are simply unforgettable! If you are lucky with the weather, you can generally spend several hours at the summit, admiring the surroundings.
And here we are in the palace of the rebellious king Kasapa 
There are many stairs at the top of the cliff 
Pool in the palace 
The throne of the king is the most interesting thing in the palace! It is carved from a single piece of rock 
From the top of Sigiriya, a beautiful view of the neighboring hill opens. In sunny weather it can be seen far away. And in the cloud only so 
And if the clouds come over, then the view becomes very mystical.
Heavenly maidens on the frescoes of Sigiriya
The Heavenly Maidens are considered the main attraction of Sigiriya. The artist painted over 500 life-size women, but only a few of them survived. It is believed that these are guests from all countries who have come on a royal visit to Sri Lanka. Now these beauties are protected by UNESCO.
All in jewels shine heavenly maidens 
Not all frescoes have survived to this day.
How to get to Sigiriya for free
And now I will share the secret of how to get to Sigiriya for free, that is, without a ticket. This question worries many budget travelers who sometimes miss Lion Rock due to very expensive tickets. And a search on the Internet gives the same recommendation: if you are traveling on a budget, it is better to skip Sigiriya. Please note that you can only arrange for a free visit at your own risk. Now I'll tell you how it really was.
During our visit to Sri Lanka, we also traveled on a budget (although we traveled through the Cultural Triangle in a car with a driver). We decided not to miss Sigiriya in any way. Our driver took us to the main entrance. First we went for a walk around the mountain. From the western gate, we followed the road forward to the north. Turning the corner, we found there another entrance in the wall to the territory of Sigiriya. Together with the local boys, we climbed the high rampart without any problems and quite simply entered the territory of the cultural facility. So we managed to avoid the ticket offices and the first checkpoint.
Winding road
There is one more check point at the frescoes with celestial maidens. But there they check tickets only for those who go from below, and do not go down from above (everyone goes back along a different path). You can try to avoid this check-point, for this keep to the left all the time in Terrace Park, and go straight up to the platform with lion's paws.
But it is already very difficult to overcome the third check-point without a ticket. There is no detour and several guards are on duty. You need to write down your ticket number in the journal, after which you can go up the spiral staircase. We wrote our names and, naively patting our eyes, said that our tickets remained with the driver who was waiting for us in the car. The guards were very unhappy and did not want to let us in for a long time, and we were not going to return. After some hesitation, we just went and went. They didn't stop us and let us go upstairs. Thus, we showed persistence and, in general, blatantly lied. But I think we were just lucky. After all, everything could have ended in a completely different way.
If you also want to take the risk, then that's up to you. We warn you that besides the guards, there are still police officers on duty. According to other travelers, now all the "birds with one stone" on this checkpoint are forced to buy tickets.
Our review of Sigiriya
From the very beginning, let's say frankly that our review of Sigiriya will be non-standard. I must admit that this is actually a unique place. Although it really can be missed if you are not a big fan of ancient art and frescoes. It is this attraction that brings crowds of American and European tourists here (recently a huge number of Chinese have been added to them) who want to see something unusual. Personally, it seemed to me that the heavenly maidens of Sigiriya can be compared with the stone ones. They decorate ancient temples there, and it's hard to imagine without them. But tell yourself honestly, would you go to just for the sake of the apsaras?
I liked three elements of Kasapa's palace - the lion's gate, the royal throne and the frescoes. And of course, the lion's rock of Sigiriya itself, visible from afar. But now, already knowing what I will see there, I would not pay 35 dollars for a ticket. And I am very glad that we managed to avoid payment.
However, for budget travelers, I have the following advice. If you still want to see Sigiriya, but do not want to pay the entrance fee, then you can simply walk around the Lion Rock without going upstairs. You can even just walk around its territory, going through the northern gate, as we did, and walk to the lion's gate. And then go to the nearby rocky monastery of Pidurangala. It was here that the monks left when the rebellious king Kasapa expelled them from Sigiriya.
Pidurangala is located on another rock, 1 km north of Sigiriya. The entrance there is free, and from the top of the cliff there is a beautiful view of the Lion Mountain and its surroundings.
What to see near Sigiriya
To continue a more detailed acquaintance with Buddhism and the history of Sri Lanka, it is best to visit the following attractions.
Sigiriya (Lion Rock) is an ancient ruined mountain fortress with the remains of a palace located in the central Matale region of Sri Lanka. The fortress is surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, swimming pools, and other structures. It is the most popular tourist destination in Sri Lanka. Sigiriya is also famous for its ancient fresco paintings. The fortress was built during the reign of King Kasapa I (477 - 495 AD), and is one of the seven sites of Sri Lanka's world heritage. We tried to find as much information as possible about this place and invite you to take an excursion into the history of Sigiriya and admire its beauty
Sigiriya was inhabited during prehistoric times and has been used as a mountain monastery-refuge since about the 5th century BC, with caves and monasteries. The garden and palace were built a little later by King Kasapa. After Kasapa's death, the site 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 in Oxford. He also wrote the popular book "The History of Sigiriya" 
Rock Sigiriya- a powerful formation of an extinct and long-decaying volcano from magma. The rock rises high above the surrounding plain, visible for miles in all directions. The rock rests on a steep embankment that rises sharply above the flat plain that surrounds it. The height of the cliff is 370 meters above sea level 
Moving on to the history of this place: The earliest evidence of a human presence in Sigiriya was found in the Aligala mountain refuge in the eastern part of the cliff. These findings indicate 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 developed into a complex city, becoming an impregnable fortress. Most of the complex structures in the highlands, including defenses, palaces and gardens, date from the period of Kasapa's reign. 
Kasapa was defeated in 495 AD, Sigiriya again turned into a Buddhist monastery - the monks were here until the fourteenth century. After this, 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 began here in the 1890s. H.C.P Bell was the first archaeologist to conduct an extensive survey of the area around Sigiriya. Large-scale studies began in 1982, begun by the government of Sri Lanka. 
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 decisions of the palace builders are still striking in their ingenuity - water storage tanks still retain water, and the moats and walls surrounding the palace are still graceful and beautiful.
The Sigiriya Gardens are the most central part of this area as they are some 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 mirrored wall. Initially, this wall was so well polished that the king could see himself as he walked next to it. The wall is made of a special kind of porcelain, and is partially covered with verses sketched by visitors to Lion Rock. The oldest of Sigiriya's poems date back to the 8th century. Many visitors wrote on the wall about love, irony and various events. Later, wall painting was banned. 
The ancient cliff-top temple was a giant 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, and the government protects it in every possible way
This article was prepared thanks to the support of the Sri Lanka Tourism Portal, which details everything, including new hotels in Sri Lanka. This portal will become your indispensable assistant in the selection of housing while traveling in this amazing country.
Kasyapa (reign 477-495), the eldest son of King Datusena (reign 459-477), was supposed to inherit the throne, but the father decided in favor of the younger son Mogallan (Kasyapa's mother was a concubine). Kasyapa was inflamed with hatred of his father and imprisoned him, and in 477 he 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 Sigiriya rock, 170 m high. The king and his architects cleared the area around the cliff and built a magnificent city surrounded by gardens with fountains and pools. They built the most amazing staircases 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. Part of the rock, above the lion's head, was painted with images of Kasyapa and his father Datusena. At the top of the cliff, a citadel palace was built.
The citadel begins with the "lion's platform", from which only paws remain. Steps lead to the 1.7 hectare terrace where the palace was once located. 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 how the builders of those times raised the necessary building materials to the rock. Brick walls were erected along the edges of the cliff, with narrow platforms for sentinels. the western and southern slopes are divided into terraces, where rooms for servants and guards were located.
For 18 years of reign from the top of the cliff, Kasyapa imagines himself the master of the universe. Confident in his strength, he sent word 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, Kasyapa's elephant 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 master, and, taking power into his own hands, rebuilt the capital in Anurahapura.
On the basis of literary evidence and archaeological excavations, there is another version of the purpose of Sigiriya. Meteorological data since 1895 indicate that wind and rain from the two monsoons stopped field work for 8 months a year. February-March are the only months when construction work is possible in this region of the country. So, out of 18 years of Kasyapa's reign, only five years remain for construction, and this includes such colossal work as: calculating the area, transporting marble, making and firing bricks, gouging niches in the rock to fix bricks, building a gallery and a "mirror wall", preparing rock surfaces for painting, cliff top work, not to mention building around the cliff itself. Even if we imagine that thousands of workers were involved, it is almost impossible to complete all these grandiose works in such a short time.
The palace theory does not hold water either. During excavations at the top of the cliff, a rectangular platform measuring 13 m × 7 m was discovered, which was unconditionally recognized as Kasyapa's palace. But if this is a palace, then why are there no traces of the presence of rooms, a toilet, columns, indentations for columns? The remains of a tiled roof were not found either, but a vessel was found in which the relics were kept. How was the tiled roof able to withstand the onslaught of garbage winds and rain? The gigantic throne carved out of stone to the south of the platform and on the lower level is the only structure at the summit that bears the features of a once-existing roof (or canopy) protected by a vertically rising stone wall. In 1833, a stupa was discovered at the top, which existed at the beginning of our century; now this place is marked with pegs. Archaeologists have discovered at least 2 construction periods at the top of the cliff and 5 at the base. 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. a large monastic complex existed 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 from the 2nd century BC were found. n. e. Taking this into account, one should not 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 the top of a cliff. The presence of an 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 keepers of the Buddha's teachings 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 royal power) 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 from the 8th-10th centuries, refer to the place as Sihigiri - the Rock of Remembrance. And the chronicles of the XIII century. The Mahavamsa is called the Sihigiri rock - the Lion's Rock. Believers, ascending 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.
Considering the above facts, we can conclude: Sigiriya has never been either a capital or a fortress. It was an aesthetically planned monastic complex of the Mahayana Buddhist sect for over 20 centuries. Powerful ramparts with ditches diverted excess rainwater beyond the territory of the monastery, which would otherwise have been flooded. The so-called palace was nothing more than an open hall for meditation, and flowering gardens and ponds created the ideal setting for this. Reservoirs with water for ritual ablutions and decorative purposes are not an exclusive phenomenon 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 - "possibly the largest painting in the world." This is a hall of mirrors, formerly lined with porcelain, with numerous frescoes that stretch 140 m in length and 40 m in height.
