Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Sri Lanka – The Lion Rock where nature meets architectural magnificence

Sri Lanka is lot more in news nowadays due to its on-going economic crises. This beautiful country surly does not deserve what it is facing today. Let us hope and pray that it would come out of this mess soon. But this blog is about one of the most magnificent and unique historical sites. This is about Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a classified UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sri Lanka.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress is one of the supreme historical monuments of Sri Lanka and one of the oldest remaining palaces in the world. It has rightly been considered as the 8th wonder of the world by the Sri Lankans and is one of their most visited tourist attractions.

History of Sigiria Rock Fortress

• The rocky citadel and the adjacent garden complex is nearly 1600 years old, dating back to the 5th Century AD.
• This Lion’s Fortress is an absolute and fine example of the sheer imagination of King Kashyapa who built his entire palace atop the hill and build a small city for his kingdoms. King Kashyapa installed scientific methods for building underground water reservoirs and gardens.
• King Kashyapa’s life is packed with conspiracy and tragedy. He was the first-born son of the king Dhatusena. But Kashyapa was deprived of his rights as the rightful successor to the throne as he was born to the King’s concubine and was hence, considered illegal. His step-brother, Mogallana demanded the title of crown prince as his mother was the royal empress of King Dhatusena.
• Kashyapa hated this, so he killed his father and took full control of the monarchy. Mogallana, be frightened for his life, escaped to India and Kashyapa crowned himself the King. But he was worried that his brother will return to attack him, so he decided to build his citadel and palace atop the gigantic lion-like designed rock. This is how, Sigiriya, the unconquerable citadel was come into existence.
• King Kashyapa ruled from his safe palace for nearly 22 years till 495AD. His deep-seatedanxiety that his step-brother would return with an army and wage a war became a reality. Mogallana confronted the apparently unconquerable Sigiriya Fort, killed King Kashyapa and took over the kingdom.

The Architecture Sigiria Rock Fortress

• The fortress compound includes leftovers of a ruined palace, surrounded by awidespread network of fortifications, massive gardens, ponds, canals, paths and fountains.
• It is an excellent masterwork of ancient urban planning, landscape & architecture, construction technology, extraordinary hydraulic engineering & management with unique synchronization between nature and human thoughts.
• One of the rare and unique features of the Fortress is its “mirror wall”. The rock was polished so exceptionally that still one can see his/her reflection on it. Though only a portion of it is remained today.
• Sigiriya rock fortress is renowned as one of the best conserved surviving ancient urban sites in Asiaand it is one of Sri Lanka’s ancient political capitals and Sri Lanka’s most amazing heritage location.
• The summit of the rock was home to a stunning landscaped gardens and the upper palace is said to be the oldest remaining fortress in Sri Lanka.

Location of Sigiria Rock Fortress

Sigiriya is situated close to the village of Dambulla, which is about 100 kms from Sri Lanka’s commercial capital, Kandy.

Sigiriya visiting hours

• Opening Hours – From 6.30 am to 5.30 pm every day
• However, the best time to visit Sigiriya Rock is at about 7 AM. It has the smallest amount of the crowd during this hour of the day and also the light is good enough for clicking some of the great photographs. Or you can also plan your trip to Sigiriya late in the afternoon for the same reason.

How to reach SigiriyaRock Fortress

The closest airport to Sigiriya is Bandarnaika International airport in Colombo. From Colombo, you can get to Sigiriya either by road, train or flight.

• By road –Taking a car is the best way to get to Sigiriya town. It will take about 3.5 to 4 hours to cover a distance of approximately 160 kilometres.
• By train –It takes about 5 hours journey from to reach Sigiriya from Colombo by train. The nearest railway station to Sigiriya is Habarana Station, it is 15km away. There is only one train that runs back and forth on daily basis, so this makes very  inconvenient unless you plan the trip accordingly.
• By flight –30 minutes travel by flight to Sigiriya From Colombo Airport. Cinnamon Air operates flights from domestic terminal in Katunayake to the Air Force airstrip in Sigiriya on daily basis. If the weather is good, the experience up in the air is magical.

Best time to visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress

• January to April is the best time to visit Sigiriya when the climate is moderate and suitable. 
• May to August is the dry season in Sigiriya and the place has a tropical climate with a humidity of 80% all year round.
• However, the rest of the year sees average weather as well with the highest temperature going to around 31 degrees Celsius.
• October-December is the wettest months, and it’s best to avoid Sigiriya anytime during these months.

Insider’s tips

• Wear comfortable, breathable clothes as the Sigiriya Lion Rock climb is sort of a workout 
• Be sure to take a bottle of water and keep yourself hydrated. The last place to buy water is a canteen near the main entrance
• Climb up late afternoon for magnificent sunset views.
• Always keep your attention on the steps. In some areas slope is quite steep
• Start your climb as early as in the morning to avoid sun heat
• If you climb Sigiriya Lion Rock in the morning take the museum tour after the climb

Important –

• There are more than 1200 steps to the top in 3 stages. Getting to the 1st stage is practicallystress-free. If you have any medical condition please let your guide know.
• Photography of the Sigiriya Frescoes gallery is strictly prohibited.
• A small child may not make it to the top unless carried by their parents.
• Sigiriya is near the town of Dambulla. You can stay in a hotel in Sigiriya or in Dambulla.

What remains today are amazing remnants.This extraordinary place is part of a most popular group of four of historical sites in the Cultural Triangle that also include Dambulla Cave Temple and the ruined cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnuruwa. I will write about Anuradhapura and Polonnuruwa in my next blog.