Having bought tickets from Moscow to Colombo, I rushed in search of those attractions that I want to see first in Sri Lanka. And even though I got to Sigiriya almost last, it was in first place for me. How else?! Look at the photographs taken against the backdrop of Lion Rock. And having become more familiar with the past of this place, you can become imbued with genuine historical interest in it.
The word “Sigiriya” itself is translated from Sinhala as “Lion Rock”. It is a sheer rock 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, interesting story. Below I will tell you in more detail about everything related to this attraction.
Story
It is generally accepted that at the beginning of our era, Sigiriya was occupied by Buddhist monks who lived in the shadow of the rock and caves. Some of them, by the way, were carved into 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.
Palace on the summit in the 5th century AD. 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 reach him. The most beautiful gardens were laid out around the rock, in which there were perhaps the world's first fountains. For safety reasons, the king ordered the wall enclosing the narrow path to the top to be polished to a mirror shine. He wanted to admire his beauty while walking down to his subjects and when going up. Looking at the domain from above, Kashyapa imagined himself omnipotent. Believe me, when you find yourself at such a height, the beauty of the surroundings will drive you crazy!
Finally, 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 nothing less than a tyrant. Kashyapa advanced to the vanguard of his army riding 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 legends say, Kashyapa, in order not to lose his honor, committed suicide by cutting his throat with a dagger. After this, his brother became, as destined, the ruler of the kingdom, and transferred the capital to Anuradhapura, where it had been before. The summit plateau was given over to the Buddhists, who remained there until at least the 15th century.
However, the history of Sigiriya is shrouded in fog. No one can say exactly how, why and why the fortress was built on top of the cliff. I outlined the main version for you a little higher, but there are speculations that Sigiriya was not the residence of the king at all, but rather a house of pleasure. Adherents of another theory believe that Kashyapa was poisoned by his brother's spies. Whatever it was, I personally found the history of Sigiriya extremely interesting. It’s interesting to walk around the entire complex, thinking about what life was like here centuries ago.
Complex structure
When I climbed to the top and looked around the area, I was amazed by the architecture and the precise layout of all the gardens, fountains, and roads. Sigiriya is truly the eighth wonder of the world. Just imagine the hard work that went into building all this beauty at the beginning of our era! To be honest, 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, such as, for example, the rock frescoes from Sigiriya. All this, here and there, makes the culture of the country so unique.
Sigiriya is a UNESCO protected site. Since it was discovered by Europeans, archaeological excavations and study of the surrounding area have not stopped. Everything is preserved in the same form in which it was found. I have never seen such an amazing and harmonious interweaving of nature and cultural heritage as in Sri Lanka.
Gardens
In a good 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 classified as gardens. Not so much because of its architectural beauty, but because of its interesting inhabitants, which tourists love to be touched by.
On the way to the ticket office, you will see signs warning that here you can find not only the familiar squirrels, but also elephants, martens, and monkeys. Of course, elephants are a rather rare occurrence, but I have seen martens, monkeys and cute fluffy squirrels in person.
At the very beginning of this “park,” if you can call it that, Sri Lankans set up benches 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 purchase one ulundu (bun in the photo below) for 0.1 USD (10 LKR). By the way, near the ticket office there is also a good cafe with excellent roti (these are national thin pancakes, usually with filling) 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 plants of different types, hedges, figures from bushes... Yes, of course, the surroundings of Sigiriya are strewn with greenery, but the gardens of Sigiriya 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 no longer left.
Bridges are laid across most of the pools; you can move around all the gardens, studying them in detail. True, the muddy green color of the water slightly interferes with aesthetic pleasure, but nothing can be done about it. By the way, in the gardens there are ponds of natural origin, to which in ancient times animals went down to drink.
Mirror wall
On the way to the top any tourist group with a guide stops near this attraction. Actually, I outlined the basic information about this wall above - the king ordered it to be polished until it shined, who enjoyed his appearance in the reflection. Looking at the now dusty surface, it is difficult to believe 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 since time immemorial. Perhaps the history of Sigiriya was once formed directly from these words.
Having walked past the Mirror Wall, I came to a fork. One path led up a narrow spiral staircase to a cave with frescoes, and the second, wider and straighter, to the top of the rock. No matter how much I tried to climb up, curiosity overpowered me, and I climbed up the narrow ladder into a small cave. Its walls were decorated with many ancient and unique drawings. No matter how hot you feel, if you are an art connoisseur, 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 that the place itself was probably named that way. Some time ago, the face of a lion was carved into the stone, but it fell down a long time ago. The scale of this statue is amazing - people seem like grains of sand against its background. It is from the plateau on which the paws stand that the descent along the sloping slope is carried out.
Having mastered the climb, you will find yourself at the top. Finally! Unfortunately, only the foundations of buildings remain there, between which you can run and run along stairs and paths, examining the surroundings from above. Nobody gets up that high just to look at the foundation, right? :) Sri Lankans, for whom this place borders on a shrine in terms of significance, take pictures here and there, tourists stand in line at places where the most beautiful background will be behind. So don’t forget to grab yourself a “tasty” photo as a souvenir!
Museum
It is best to complete the tour of the complex by visiting the museum, inside of which there is no longer this crowd of tourists that just did not allow passage at the top of the rock. Personally, I have a special passion for models, and there are more than one of them in the museum. There you can learn more about the history of Sigiriya (at English language), see a lot of reproductions and originals of frescoes, removed from the cliff for reasons of safety. And the friendly staff will help you if anything happens. interesting excursion. And at the exit from the museum a crowd of monkeys will be waiting for you.
Climbing to the top
I think it's very important point, which must be taken into account. A few days after I had already climbed up, I met elderly Englishmen who were sincerely interested in what time it was best for them to go up and whether it was worth doing it at all. Let's 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's full here local residents, foreigners who, in orderly row, strive to the top. A nice plus is that the descent down takes a separate sloping path, and not along the stairs you used to go up.
- You need to get up either early in the morning, when the sun has not yet begun to get hot, or closer to sunset to watch the sunset. That is: either be near the ticket office by 7 am, or arrive there by 4 pm, when the heat begins to subside. However, the evening rise will still be harder than the morning one.
- In general, I would not call the climb difficult, but for parents with babies in their arms and for older people, it will be difficult from time to time - some of the steps up the stairs are quite steep. You can only rest at the lion's paws, since in other places the road is quite narrow and there is almost nowhere to sit.
How to get there
Below I will provide information on how to make your 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 going to Sigiriya. Several of them leave during the day. Just ask to be dropped off at Sigiriya Rock. You will find yourself at the path from which your difficult path to the top will begin. The fare is about 0.13 USD (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 deliver you back. Of course, you will have to bargain, and very thoroughly! :) By the way, Sigiriya Road is crossed by elephants here and there. Seeing them in the evening is a common thing, but somehow I was unlucky.
Motorists and motorbikers can also easily reach Sigiriya along one of the main roads in the country - the Colombo-Trincomalee Highway. The trip will take you no more than 40 minutes (taking into account the fact that after leaving the highway the road becomes quite narrow, and you have to give way to buses so that they can pass).
From Sigiriya
From areas of Dambulla such as Kimbissa and Sigiriya of the same name, I advise you to take a tuk-tuk. You can negotiate with a driver for 2.6–3.3 USD (400–500 LKR) to take you there and back. A one-way trip will cost you 0.7–1 USD (100–150 LKR).
Of course, if you are trying to save as much as possible, you can also take a regular bus and travel for pennies (less than 0.1 USD) to the start of the route to the rock. Still, check first 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, owners of motorbikes are the luckiest - they can travel the entire way to the ticket office on their iron horse, shortening their walk by about a kilometer. Motorists will have to leave their vehicles before the start of the hiking trail near the Sigiriya Temple, which you can read about below.
Admission
A visit to the rock will cost you no less than 30 USD (4260 LKR). At the same time, for locals the entrance costs only 0.33 USD (50 LKR). Unfortunately, these are the rules, but the money, in my opinion, is worth the experience. By the way, children aged 6 to 12 years old get a ticket at half the price, and those under 6 get a free ticket. Your ticket will also include admission to a museum within the park.
Operating mode
Sigiriya ticket offices are open from 7:00 to 17:30. At the same time, the last visitors are allowed in at 5 pm, since darkness sets in fairly soon after that. 3–4 hours are allotted for sightseeing. You won't pass the ticket office - it's located right on the way to the rock. Afterwards, along the same path you will go to the checkpoint, where your ticket will be checked.
What to see nearby
The surrounding area of Sigiriya is rich in attractions. In such a small area there are a lot of interesting things to see.
Mount Pidurangala
A good 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 was previously located Buddhist monastery, in which pilgrims flock from all over the island. If you are not interested in the cultural and historical part of Sigiriya, and you only want beautiful views from above, go here! A pleasant plus will be a significantly smaller number of tourists.
Ramakele Stupa
It is assumed that this stupa was built during the reign of that particular king Kashyapa. It seems to me that this place will be interesting to visit for those people who left Sigiriya early and want to see as much as possible. All that was left of the stupa was the rounded lower part, 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 without a temple? When you find yourself at the start of the route to Sigiriya, you will have the choice of turning one way towards the rock and the other way towards 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 Buddha statue, if you are interested.
- I definitely wouldn’t recommend visiting the place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The climb is quite difficult and takes about 50–90 minutes. Elderly people and children should go here just after dawn to avoid the crowds and sweltering heat.
- Be extremely careful around monkeys! You can't touch them, you can't smile at them - they perceive this as signs of aggression towards themselves. You shouldn't feed them either. In addition, monkeys can easily try to snatch your phone or camera from your hands, even jump on your shoulders for this. Any monkey bite should be treated immediately by a doctor.
- Stock up on water - at least 1.5 liters per person. If anything, you can buy it in the cafe at the bottom of the cliff, but most likely you will need drinks earlier.
- A visit to Sigiriya can be combined very well with.
Address: Sri Lanka
Coordinates: 7°57"25.4"N 80°45"36.2"E
Short description
Sigiriya - residence of Kassapa I
All his life Kassapa will live in fear, fearing his brother's revenge. At the top of the rock, the newly-minted king erected an impregnable citadel, around which he built high walls and ditches filled with water, serving as a barrier to the assault.
Originally, the staircase carved into the rock 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 flow in these gardens, spraying water in the shape of a lotus.
View of the stairs leading to the top of the rock and the lion's paws
Sights of Sigiriya
In addition to lion paws and fountains, a huge royal throne has been preserved in Sigiriya, as well as alleys and caves; one of them, with traces of ancient painting on the ceiling, is called “Cobra Hood”. Along the Lion Rock stretches the “Hall of Mirrors” - a stone niche 140 meters long and 40 meters high, decorated with frescoes. The almost life-size frescoes depict apsaras - celestial half-naked dancers throwing water lily flowers through the clouds to the ground. The luxurious hairstyles of the “Sigiriya maidens” are decorated with ribbons and jewelry. Women have massive earrings in their ears, necklaces on their necks, and bracelets studded with precious stones on their wrists.
Reservoir
A 5th-century inscription reads: “The 500 young beauties in their splendor are like the crown of glory of the royal treasures.” To date, 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 poems (8th century), glorifying the beauty of the “Sigiriya maidens”. For the convenience of tourists, the narrow staircase leading from the lion's paws of Sigiriya has been widened and rebuilt from corrosion-resistant steel.
King's throne
Fall of Sigiriya - Moggallan's Retribution
Fearing the sword and poison, Kassapa at the same time imagined himself to be a god. Living in a luxurious palace at the top of the world, he was the incarnation of Kubera - the god of wealth. But the fairy tale ended after all. 18 years passed, and in 495, one night Kassapa saw from the top how a huge army led by Moggallan was advancing from the north towards Sigiriya. Together with his army, Kassapa rushed towards 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 warriors took this step as a signal to retreat and left the battlefield. The defeated Kassapa, not wanting to surrender, grabbed a dagger from its sheath and cut his throat.
Frescoes
Sigiriya fell. Time has consigned to oblivion the dark but true story of the parricide 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 “Hall of Mirrors”.
- a huge rock plateau rising in the middle of the plain, and one of the most famous attractions of Sri Lanka, which is located near the city of Dambula and is famous 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, so unique and popular place, where thousands of tourists from all over the world come every day. Sigiriya got its name because of the huge stone lion located below. A stone staircase leads from the entrance to the palace, located on top of the lion rock. This isolated rock is a UNESCO protected site and is shrouded in legend.
We've heard a lot about this before mysterious place, and now we also had to storm the seemingly impregnable Mount Sigiriya, unraveling its secrets along the way. We were pleasantly surprised by the grandeur of 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 I’ll tell you how it’s easier to get there and which hotel is better to stay in, I’ll show you photos of ancient frescoes of the royal concubines, and I’ll share the secret of visiting the Lion Rock for free. So let's take the storm together ancient fortress Sigiriya.
Sigiriya in Sri Lanka
First, I’ll tell you what Sigiriya is like in Sri Lanka and why it’s so interesting.
is a huge rock standing alone in the middle of the plain on the island of Sri Lanka, the likes of which are unique in the whole world. Unlike, Sigiriya is not a mountain of volcanic origin. She attracts everyone's attention from afar with her unusualness. Driving by, you won’t even guess that you weren’t the only one who paid attention to it.
Previously (from the 3rd century) Buddhist monks lived on its top, and then in the 5th century the parricide king Kasapa fled here. By building 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 it true that this story is somewhat similar to the two-year imprisonment of the Jews on the same flat natural hill called? Kasapa also committed suicide, like the Jewish rebels. This is where the similarities end, because the regicide himself was to blame for his imprisonment, and the Jews resisted the Roman invaders.
Basic information:
| Name | Sigiriya (or "Lion Rock" in Sinhalese). Official name - Ancient city Sigiriya (Ancient City of Sigiriya). |
| Where is | In central 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, rising 170 meters above the plain in the center of the island of Sri Lanka. Is a monument World Heritage UNESCO since 1982 |
| When was the Sigiriya fortress created? | Last quarter of the 5th century AD |
| What is she famous for? | Frescoes depicting half-naked concubines on a wall measuring 140 meters long and 40 meters high in a hall of mirrors on a rock 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 nearest city of Dambulla, located 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, making an indelible impression on all visitors. At this place everyone is sure to take a photo as a souvenir. We, too, were delighted with the curious idea of the Sinhala architects. It also seems to me that the rock itself is shaped like the body of a lion.
Over time, Sigiriya was abandoned and the magnificent palaces and water gardens now lie in ruins. However, time has been kind to the magnificent frescoes depicting heavenly maidens (they are also called the king’s concubines). These stone paintings are so impressive that thousands of tourists climb Lion Rock every day to have a look at the ancient Sinhalese art. Everyone especially likes half-naked young ladies.
Sigiriya on the map of Sri Lanka
Photo at the top of Sigiriya
Lion Rock is not at a highway crossroads, but due to its popularity, getting to Sigiriya is still very easy. Buses from Polonnaruwa and Dambulla pass near it (this is the closest city to Sigiriya, only 15 km between them). And next to the rock there are many guesthouses and hotels.
There are several ways 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 journey 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 travel to Sigiriya. The best way to travel from Kandy to Sigiriya is by tourist bus with a tour. Although it will cost much more than getting there yourself.
- By train: Sigiriya does not have its own railway station. The closest 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 going to Dambulla, and then change again to a local bus from Dambulla to Sigiriya. It turns out that this is not a convenient way at all.
- By car: If you rented a car or are traveling with a guide-driver, then you don’t need to worry about anything. 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 Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka costs $150-200, although guidebooks indicate much higher amounts.
- By tuk-tuk: You can get there from Dambulla for 700-900 rupees.
- On a motorbike: This method is suitable for those who know how to ride a motorcycle. In Sri Lanka it is quite easy to rent a motorbike; there is a large selection in the capital and in other cities. It’s convenient to drive on your own, but you’ll have to pay for gas and constantly make sure it’s not stolen.
This time we traveled in comfort, we were driven by a driver-guide, and therefore we happily avoided a trip to public transport Sri Lanka at this stage of the trip to the island of Ceylon. However, the choice of driver must be approached very carefully. Personal contact is very important.
Review of good hotels in Sigiriya
There are several near Sigiriya good hotels and lodges, although most prefer to stay where hotels are cheaper. Eco-tourism is very popular in Sri Lanka, so it is better to choose quiet place away from the city and live for a few days among nature.
For example, one of these hotels called Heritance Kandalama, is located on the side of a cliff on 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 is reminiscent of a path through the jungle. Living in such a hotel means acquiring a simply unique experience. If you want to choose the most best hotel close to Sigiriya, I recommend booking Heritance Kandalama follow this link >>
Hotel Heritance Kandalama
Another unique hotel in Sigiriya is Aliya Resort and Spa. This luxurious 5* hotel is located near the Lion Rock (it can be seen directly from the pool). Guests can enjoy 4 restaurants, a bar, a fitness center and a spa. There are separate outdoor tents made from eco-friendly materials surrounded by tropical greenery. All rooms are stylishly decorated and the staff are highly rated. This hotel is in high demand, I recommend booking in advance
- Hotel Sigiriya- grade 8.4 (4*, the best view of the Sigiriya rock, restaurant, swimming 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*, excellent hotel in nature, restaurant, bar, swimming 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. Cost of visiting this site Cultural heritage UNESCO is very high. This is especially true for budget travelers.
Sigiriya attractions 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 am there will be pandemonium here.
At the entrance, Sigiriya greets visitors with water gardens and a very long road that leads to the foot of the mountain. Along the way, you can admire views of the Lion Rock itself and the ruins of ancient gardens. The small hall is located on the territory of the Terrace Park, to the right of the main path.
This is how Lion Mountain appears to tourists 
To see the water gardens in all their splendor, it is better to visit Sigiriya during the rainy season 
The area around the mountain is very beautiful 
The terraced park is famous for its huge megaliths, through which steps are built
The ascent begins at the lion's paws. The steps are nice at first and then turn into iron spiral staircases where you have to be careful.
On the way up, we stopped a lot to take photos and admire the gorgeous views: of the gardens remaining inside, of the white Buddha statue and of the surrounding area in general. It is curious that the surface of the rock actually resembles a lion's mane or molten sweetness that has spread due to the heat. It would be interesting to know the geological origin of Sigiriya.
On the stairs 
Rock of amazing color 
The most interesting attraction in Sigiriya, in my opinion 
Beautiful view from the top 
Here comes the most difficult part of the climb to Sigiriya. If you don't want to climb those stairs, stop at Lion's Paws
Finally the 200m climb was over and we were on the flat top of Lion Rock. Here we first found a shady place and caught our breath after the climb. Many expect to see luxurious royal mansions at the top, but they are not here. In truth, Kasapa's palace is completely destroyed. All that was left of it was a pool, some walls in the rock, a throne and, in general, that’s all. But the views, as from any hill in Sri Lanka, are simply unforgettable! If you are lucky with the weather, you can generally spend several hours at the top admiring the surroundings.
And here we are in the palace of the rebellious king Kasapa 
There are many stairs on the top of the cliff 
Swimming pool in the palace 
The king's throne is the most interesting thing in the palace! It is carved from a single piece of rock 
Views from the top of Sigiriya beautiful view to the next hill. In sunny weather you can see far away. And in the cloud it’s the only way 
And if clouds roll in, the view becomes very mystical
Heavenly maidens on the frescoes of Sigiriya
The celestial maidens are considered the main attraction of Sigiriya. The artist depicted more than 500 life-size women, but only a few portraits of them have survived. It is believed that these are guests from all countries who came on a royal visit to Sri Lanka. Now these beauties are protected by UNESCO.
All in precious stones the heavenly maidens shine 
Not all frescoes have survived to this day.
How to get to Sigiriya for free
And now I’ll share the secret of how to get to Sigiriya for free, that is, without a ticket. This question worries many budget travelers, who sometimes skip Lion Rock due to its 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. Keep in mind that you can organize a free visit only at your own peril and risk. Now I’ll tell you how it really happened.
During our visit to Sri Lanka, we also traveled on a budget (although we traveled around the Cultural Triangle by car with a driver). We decided not to miss Sigiriya under any circumstances. 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 another entrance in the wall to the territory of Sigiriya. Together with the local boys, we climbed the high shaft without any problems and entered the territory quite easily cultural site. This way we managed to avoid ticket offices and the first checkpoint.
winding road
There is another checkpoint near the frescoes with celestial maidens. But there they check the tickets only of those who come from below, and not from above (everyone goes back along a different path). You can try to avoid this checkpoint, to do this, keep to the left at all times in Terrace Park, and go straight up to the area with the lion's paws.
But the third checkpoint is already very difficult to overcome without a ticket. There is no way around it and there are several guards on duty. You need to write down your ticket number in the journal, after which you can go to the spiral staircase. We wrote our names and, naively batting our eyes, said that our tickets were left 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 had no intention of returning. After some hesitation, we just took it 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 very lucky. After all, everything could have ended completely differently.
If you also want to take a risk, then that's up to you. We warn you that in addition to security guards, there are also police officers on duty there. According to other travelers, now all the “hares” at this checkpoint are forced to buy tickets.
Our review of Sigiriya
From the very beginning, we will frankly say that our review of Sigiriya will be non-standard. We must admit that this is actually unique place. Though it can really be skipped if you're not a big fan ancient art and frescoes. It is this attraction that brings here crowds of American and European tourists (lately 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 to stone ones. They decorate ancient temples there, and it’s hard to imagine without them. But tell yourself honestly, would you go there just for the apsaras?
I liked three elements of the Kasapa Palace - the lion gate, the royal throne and the frescoes. And of course, the lion rock of Sigiriya itself, visible from afar. But now, already knowing what I would see there, I would not pay $35 for a ticket. And I am very glad that we managed to avoid payment.
However, for budget travelers, I can recommend the following. If you still want to see Sigiriya, but do not want to pay an entrance fee, then you can simply walk around Lion Rock without going up. You can even just walk around its territory, entering through the northern gate, as we did, and walk to the lion gate. And then go to the nearby rock monastery of Pidurangala. It was here that the monks went when the rebellious king Kasapa drove them out of Sigiriya.
Pidurangala is located on another rock, 1 km north of Sigiriya. Entrance there is free, and from the top of the rock there is a beautiful view of Lion Mountain and the surrounding area.
What to see near Sigiriya
It is best to continue your more detailed acquaintance with Buddhism and the history of Sri Lanka by visiting the following attractions.
Sigiriya (Lion Rock) is an ancient ruined mountain fortress with palace remains 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. This is the most popular tourist destination Sri Lanka. Sigiriya is also famous for its ancient mural paintings. The fortress was built during the reign of King Kasapa I (477 – 495 AD), and is one of the seven world heritage sites of Sri Lanka. 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 was used as a mountain monastery refuge since around 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 archaeologist Senarath Paranavitana in his famous work published in Oxford. He also wrote the popular book "The History of Sigiriya" 
Rock Sigiriya- a powerful formation from magma of an extinct and long-destroying volcano. The rock rises high above the surrounding plain, visible for many 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 rock is 370 meters above sea level 
Let's move on to the history of this place: The earliest evidence of human presence in Sigiriya was found in the Aligala mountain shelter in the eastern part of the rock. These finds indicate that the area was inhabited almost five thousand years ago during the Mesolithic. During the third century BC, there were mountain cave shelters built 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 impregnable fortress. Most of the complex structures on the mountainous hills, including defensive structures, palaces and gardens, date back to the reign of Kasapa 
Kasapa was defeated in 495 AD, Sigiriya again became a Buddhist monastery - the monks were here until the fourteenth century. After this, no mention of Sigiriya was found 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 extensive surveys of the area around Sigiriya. Large-scale research began in 1982, initiated by the government of Sri Lanka 
Ancient castle, built by Kasyapa, has been preserved on the top of the hill to this day, as well as parts of the fortress. Despite its age, some of the solutions of the palace builders are still striking in their ingenuity - the water storage tanks still hold water, and the moats and walls surrounding the palace are still elegant and beautiful
Sigiriya Gardens is the most central part of this area as it is one of the most landscaped gardens in the world. The gardens are divided into three separate areas: water gardens, rock gardens, and terrace gardens. 
The famous part of Sigiriya is the mirror wall. Originally, this wall was so well polished that the king could see himself while walking next to it. The wall is made of special porcelain porcelain, and is partially covered with poems scribbled 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 
Ancient temple at the top of the rock was a gigantic art gallery, frescoes covered most of the western slope of the rock, occupying 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 with the support of the Sri Lanka tourism portal, where everything is described in detail, including new hotels in Sri Lanka. This portal will become your indispensable assistant when choosing accommodation while traveling around this amazing country.
Kasyapa (reign 477-495), the eldest son of King Datusena (reign 459-477), was supposed to inherit the throne, but his father decided in favor of his 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 hid in 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 rock and built a magnificent city surrounded by gardens with fountains and pools. They built the most amazing stairs in the world: the steps were carved between the paws, throat and jaws of an incredible size 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. A citadel palace was built on the top of the rock.
The quotation begins with the “platform of a lion”, of which only its 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 giant royal throne is well preserved. It is impossible not to be amazed at how the builders of those times lifted the necessary building materials onto the rock. Along the edges of the cliffs were erected brick walls with narrow platforms for sentries. The western and southern slopes are divided into terraces where rooms for servants and guards were located.
During his 18 years of ruling from the top of a cliff, Kasyapa imagined himself to be 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 made unsuccessfully. 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 traces of its former master, and, taking power into his own hands, restored the capital at Anurahapura.
Based on literary evidence and archaeological excavations, there is another version of the purpose of Sigiriya. Meteorological data since 1895 indicate that the wind and rain of 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 the 18 years of Kasyapa’s reign, only five years remain for construction, and this includes such colossal works as: clearing the area, transporting marble, making and firing bricks, hollowing out niches in the rock to secure the bricks, building a gallery and a “mirror wall”, preparation rock surfaces for painting, working 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 almost impossible to complete all this enormous work in such a short time.
The palace theory also does not stand up to criticism. During excavations on the top of the rock, a rectangular platform measuring 13 m × 7 m was discovered, which was unconditionally recognized as the Kasyapa Palace. But if this is a palace, then why are there no traces of the presence of rooms, a toilet, columns, or recesses for columns? No remains of a tiled roof were found, but a vessel in which the relics were kept was found. How could a tiled roof withstand the pressure of garbage winds and rains? A giant stone-hewn throne to the south of the platform and at a lower level is the only structure on the summit that shows evidence of a once-existing roof (or canopy), protected by a vertically rising stone wall. In 1833, a stupa that existed at the beginning of this century was discovered on the top; this place is now 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 remaining 4 periods of construction activity?
Archaeological excavations confirm that already in the 2nd century. BC. there was a large monastic complex here, as evidenced by the presence large quantity cave temples on the western and northern slopes (excavations have not yet been carried out on the southern and eastern slopes). Inscriptions from the 2nd century were discovered in one of the caves. n. e. Taking this into account, one cannot even imagine that Kasyapa, in a difficult situation for himself, would decide to come into conflict with the monks just 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, army and population had to in every possible way support and protect the guardians of the Buddha's teachings, 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-Bo-Upulvan temple (in honor of the god Vishnu). All these facts indicate that Kasyapa visited Sigiriya, but could not live there.
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. The Mahavamsa call the rock Sihigiri - Lion Rock. Believers, going up to the gallery, to the “lion 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 designed monastic complex of the Mahayana Buddhist sect for over 20 centuries. Powerful ramparts with ditches drained excess rainwater beyond the territory of the monastery, which otherwise would have been subject to flooding. The so-called palace was nothing more than an open hall for meditation, and the flowering gardens and ponds created an 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 mid-19th century. English hunter. The existence of the fortress became known to Europeans only in 1907, when British explorer John Steele described Sigiriya's "vast picture gallery" - "perhaps the largest painting in the world." This is a hall of mirrors, formerly lined with porcelain, with numerous frescoes that extend 140 m in length and 40 m in height.
