Last edited by Priyanga Fernando
Sigiriya
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| Type: | Lodging, Activities, Culture |
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| Preference: | Cultural, Family, Outdoors |
| Description: |
EditSigiriya
Part hedonistic pleasure palace, part fortress and part sacred complex, Sigiriya is one of the island's most awe-inspiring archaeological sites and a leading tourist attraction. In fact some consider it to be one of the oldest tourist attractions in the world with visitors recording their impressions in some of the earliest-known graffiti. Located north of Dambulla, 116km from Colombo, the site consists of a sheer rock that rises over 200m with the ruins of a palace on the top and a vast pleasure garden complex at the foot. For just two decades in the 5th century AD, Sigiriya rose to prominence following a power struggle between two brothers, and an act of patricide that saw the then king walled-up alive by his son, Kasyapa. Fearful that his defeated brother would return from exile to extract vengeance, Kasyapa shifted the capital to Sigiriya.
The megalomaniac yet spiritual Kasyapa clearly had an eye for beauty. The pleasure gardens include a series of symmetric pools, channels and fountains that still spurt water after 1,500 years. Partway up the rock are the famous Sigiriya frescoes, featuring 21 bare-breasted damsels that may represent celestial nymphs, but were surely modelled on Kasyapa's own consorts. Halfway you'll encounter a pair of giant lion's paws, part of the original entrance, which required visitors to pass through the open mouth of a lion. The summit yields a dramatic vista of the surrounding jungle and contains the foundations of the palace complex, replete with bathing pool. But all this was to be in vain.
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Facts:
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Facts:
| Other names: | The Lions Rock, Sinhagira |
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| Opening Hours: | 7.30 a.m to 4.30 p.m |
| Rates: | US$ 25.00 per person |
| Website: | http://etravelersrilanka.com/index.jsp |
| Email: | mapriyanga@gmail.com |
| Telephone: | 0094778290857 |
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| Public Transport: | |
| Parking: | Free |
| First to Review: | Priyanga Fernando |
Reviews
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(10 people find this review helpful)
Favorable
Attraction , Cultural , Outdoors Updated 446 days ago
Best Place one can visit and see in Sri Lanka.............................................................................................................................................................................................................
Review by Sandun Ratnayake
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(11 people find this review helpful)
Favorable
Attraction , Family , Cultural Updated 479 days ago
With the Addition of the new Museum. the site seems more complete. New toilets have also been proposed, and hopefully will be completed soon. The new car park is a great thing, but it is not complete yet.
Some , but not all the items being sold by various people on site are not of good quality.
All in all a great site to visit.
Review by Anil Pathmaperuma
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(1 people find this review helpful)
Favorable
Attraction , Cultural Updated 571 days ago
Kingdom of King Kashyapa 473AD-495AD. A Rock Fortress which had the technology to pump up water up to 150m for the king's ponds up above.Beautiful paintings of Sigiri ladies at that era.The rock is amazingly situated in the plain district of Anuradhapura ,which is miraculously cube shaped.
Review by Udana Indika Wijerathne
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Critical
Attraction , Cultural , Outdoors Updated 573 days ago
THIS PLACE IS A KINGDOM OF KING KASHYAPA, THIS KINGDOM MADE ON A LARGE STORM. CLASICAL ARTS ON THE STORM AND VERY BUITEFULL GARDEN ALLSO ADDING THERE, THERE AS A HOTEL SIGIRI VILLADGE BEST SERVICE ARE THERE...YOU CAN SPEND A AMAZING DAY IN SIGIRIYA....
Review by ENTERTAINER
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Attraction , Family Updated 576 days ago
In India he raised an army with the intention of returning and retaking the throne of Sri Lanka which he considered was rightfully his. Knowing the inevitable return of Mogallana, Kasyapa is said to have built his palace on the summit of Sigiriya as a fortress and pleasure palace. Mogallana finally arrived and declared war. During the battle Kasyapa's armies abandoned him and he committed suicide by falling on his sword. Chronicles and lore say that the battle-elephant on which Kasyapa was mounted changed course to take a strategic advantage, but the army misinterpreted the movement as the King having opted to retreat, prompting the army to abandon the king altogether. Moggallana returned the capital to Anuradapura, converting Sigiriya into a monastery complex.
Review by Nadiranga Pathirana
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Attraction , Romantic , Cultural Updated 581 days ago
Sigiriya is a rock fortress built by King Kashyapa during the 15th century. As per the history he has built this rock fortress to escape offensive from his brother who was determined to take the revenge from King Kashyapa. The fortress is listed as one of the world's "heritage sites" and is a wonder, though not listed among the seven wonders. The kingdom of the king had been built on top of this massive rock with a palace , ponds and various amenities. By the side of the rock , in a cave face, the world famous Sigiri frescoes are painted. Still it is a mystery that how they had been painted a, why and the paints used as they are so beautiful . The entire rock is surrounded by a canal where it is said to have man eating alligators were living in the canal in-order to secure it. Right now we need to walk across the bridge to enter the premises and walk towards the rock. There are beautiful parks by both sides of the walkway with various rock work and water fountains. Still it is a mystery as to how the water pressure had been built for those fountains to spry water. Also it is uncovered as to how water had been supplied to the top of thee mountain and whether there had been a permanent walkway. We need to walk across a large Lion 's mouth with legs spread , where it is called the "Sinha pada" or Lions leg.Once passing this monumental entry point it is a climb up to the rock in a difficult make shift type rock work steps. The final leg of the climb is fixed with an iron latter with a iron hand rail fixed to the rock , not by the king, but by the locals who were living in the 19th century. When you reach the top of the rock , you can view a panoramic view of the surrounding for miles and miles with water tanks, cultivation and massive forest cover. The two or three large ponds built on top of the rock is amazing as it is a mystery up to date as to how water had been supplied to the tanks . When every I have visited these tanks were full of water. Even at present , the archeological department is excavating the ground and uncovering various monuments and ruins of buildings which is evidence that this had been an entire city with king's many wifes in the heram, workers and the garrison had been living inside the area secured by the canal.
The location is few kilometers off Dambulla and it is not far from Kandy. Plenty of lodges to stay over night and the Heritage Kandalama hotel is also close by for a convenient and an expensive stay.
Review by Sarath Salgado
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Activities , Cultural Updated 585 days ago
Sigiriya is an archeological site in Central Sri Lanka. It contains the ruins of an ancient palace complex, built during the reign of King Kasyapa (477 – 495 AD). It is one of the seven World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka and is one of its most popular tourist destinations.
Review by H.M.Wijewardana
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Attraction , Cultural Updated 587 days ago
Sigiriya is an archeological site in North Central province in Sri Lanka. Sigiriya have been inhabited in Pre-Historic times. After introduction of Buddhism, it's rock-shelters ware converted as a mountain monastery from about the 3rd century BC, with caves prepared and donated by devotees to the Buddhist monks. The Mahavamsa, the ancient historical record of Sri Lanka, describes King Kasyapa as the son of King Dhatusena. who murdered his father by walling him alive and then usurping the throne which rightfully belonged to his brother Mogallan. Mogallan fled to India to escape being assassinated by Kasyapa but vowed revenge. In India he raised an army with the intention of returning and retaking the throne of Sri Lanka which was rightfully his. Knowing the inevitable return of Mogallan, Kasyapa is said to have built his palace on the summit of Sigiriya as a fortress and pleasure palace. Mogallana finally arrived and in the battlefield Kasyapa's armies abandoned him and he committed suicide by falling on his sward. Mogalan returned the capital back to Anuradapura and turned Sigiriya to a Monastery complex.
The Sigiriya site consists of a 180m tall granite rock, whose sides are so steep that at some points the top overhangs the base. The palace complex on top of the rock which earliest surviving palace in Sri Lanka. The ruins of various chambers, stairways and pools can be seen there.
There is a stone stairway leading from the base to the top of the mountain. In the middle part of rock the present remaining of frescos are exhibiting in a cave. The Lion's staircase at the entrance to the palace is one of Sigiriya's famous features, along with the Apsara (exquisite ladies) paintings on the western rock face and the mirror wall below the paintings. In 1907 one of the British explorer John Still had observed the frescos first time.
Seigniorial has a very complex rampart system. The city was walled and mortified. Besides the inner and outer cities within the ramparts, there is evidence of suburban dwellings immediately outside the walled area. The complex is three kilometers from East to West and one kilometer from North to South.
Sigiriya was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. Sir Arthur C. Clark mooted the idea that Sigiriya qualifies to be the eighth wonder of the world, ranked closely with the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal.
The main places to visit in Sigiriya is he Water Gardens of Sigriya, Boulder Gardens of Sigiriya, Audience Hall of sigiriya, Cobra Hood Cave at Sigiriya, Preaching Rock at Sigiriya, The Lions Platform of sigiriya, Mirror Wall at Sigiriya, Frescoes of Sigiriya, The Palace on the Summit at Sigiriya.
Review by www.srilankatrekking.com
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Attraction , Family , Cultural Updated 591 days ago
this is the Sigiriya fortress where King Kashyapa made this as his territory in order to declare war against his brother. this is one of the 7 wonders in sri lanka and many foreigners are overwhelmed by its structure and its unique features. this is an eye catching site to any person on earth. a good exercise too :)
Review by Samhan Munzir
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(1 people find this review helpful)
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Attraction , Family , Cultural Updated 596 days ago
One of the most visited tourists destinations in Sri Lanka and the most famous world heritage site. Things to see include fresco paintings , remains of the old palace on top of the rock , the boulder gardens , irrigation system which is considered technically very advanced for that era and some caved which were built for the monks. The rock is 350M high and provided a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape.
Review by Nishadha Silva
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Critical
Attraction , Cultural Updated 596 days ago
Sigiriya is a sixth century fortress perched on a 200 metre high rock and one the most dramatic of Sri Lanka's historic sites. On the western and northern sides of the steep rock face runs a gallery or pathway which provides access to the seemingly inaccessible nearly three acre wide summit. Shielding this pathway is a 9½ft plaster wall so highly polished that even today after fifteen centuries of exposure to the sun and rain one can see one's reflection in it!
Sri Lanka's historic sites
To the North is the Pidurangala Rock, where a Buddhist monastery and cave temples are found and near the summit one of the largest reclining Buddha statues made out of brick and mortar. The to South East is what remains of Sigiri Maha Weva, and in the South the Mapagala Rock, which was a fortress long before Sigitiya was built.
you are here: Sigiriya Sri Lanka
Don’t rush through all this magnificence. Be prepared to spend at least one whole day, walking around the Sigiriya gardens, the newly laid out herbal garden. Walk to the northern corner of the western moat and look to the south down the moat, and see how it had been made in line with the summit of a far away hill.
Review by Sadath
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Attraction , Family , Cultural Updated 602 days ago
Sri Lankan architectural tradition is well displayed at Sigiriya, the best preserved city centre in Asia from the first millennium, with its combination of buildings and gardens with their trees, pathways, water gardens, the fusion of symmetrical and asymmetrical elements, use of varying levels and of axial and radial planning.
The Complex consists of the central rock, rising 200 meters above the surrounding plain, and the two rectangular precincts on the east (90 hectares) and the west (40 hectares), surrounded by two moats and three ramparts.
The plan of the city is based on a precise square module. The layout extends outwards from co-ordinates at the centre of the palace complex at the summit, with the eastern and western axis directly aligned to it. The water garden, moats and ramparts are based on an 'echo plan' duplicating the layout and design on either side. This city still displays its skeletal layout and its significant features. 3 km from east to west and 1 km from north to south it displays the grandeur and complexity of urban-planning in 5th century Sri Lanka.
Review by Annya Gunasekara
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(1 people find this review helpful)
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Attraction , Cultural Updated 607 days ago
Sigiriya (Lion's rock) is an ancient rock fortress and palace ruin situated in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures. A popular tourist destination, Sigiriya is also renowned for its ancient paintings (frescos), which are reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves of India. The Sigiriya was built during the reign of King Kassapa I , and it is one of the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.
Review by Preferred International (pvt)Ltd
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Lodging , Family , Cultural Updated 607 days ago
I is a One of the world of wonders of the world
Built by Kign Kaashyapa
I t contains Historical Arts
Sigiriya i sthe Historical place in Sri Lanka
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Review by Akila666
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(2 people find this review helpful)
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Activities , Cultural , Outdoors Updated 614 days ago
Sigiriya Is a place with an utmost historical importance.It is a place which has an extreme environmental beauty as well as a majestic artistic beauty which shows the art which were drawn centuries ago.When you are at the top of Sigiriya,the entire area surrounding Sigiriya is Clearly visible.
It is an impressive sight.
Review by Sanjeew's Tours
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Attraction , Family Updated 696 days ago
This is very old historic place.The king Kashyapa made his Royal Place in top of this rock.as i read he build his palce here for security reasons.
Review by Tharaka Amarakoon
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Culture , Popular Updated 698 days ago
This giant temple on the rocks which belongs to the 5th century B.C once a castle and then a fortress and finally a well knwon tourist attraction.
Locally known as the as Lions rock because of the two lions paws embedded on the entrance of the rock fortress and the mistress figures painted on the walls are ever so popular too.
A site also named by UNESCO as a world heritage site.
Review by Yohan Waduge
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(2 people find this review helpful)
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Culture , Family , Popular Updated 702 days ago
A massive monolith of red stone rises 600 feet from the green scrub jungle to accentuate the lucid blue of the sky. How overpowering, then, this rock fortress of Sigiriya must have been when a palace crowned it 15 centuries ago. Sigiriya (say see-gih-REE-yah) was no gloomy and forbidding fortification, as many other citadels are. At the brief height of its glory, a flowering of only 18 years in the late 5th Century, it was one of the loveliest royal cities that ever graced the earth.
Review by Sri Lankan Getaways
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(1 people find this review helpful)
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Culture , Family Updated 716 days ago
Sigiriya is a world's heritage & it situated at Matale district in Sri lnaka , Sigiriya is a very popoular tourist destination & sigiriya was built during the king Kashyapa ( AD 477-AD 495 ) .
Review by Asiri Travels & Tours
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Culture , Family , Tourist-free Updated 719 days ago
Sigiriya was the Kingdom of King Kashyapa. Its known as the 8th wonder of the world. Must see place in Sri Lanka!
Sigiriya is about 5 hours drive from Colombo. Contact info at lionkanka dot com for more travel details
Review by Lion Lanka Tours
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Attraction , Popular Updated 724 days ago
This is amazing world heritage site not to miss any one visit sri lanka. situated in the boundy line of the central and north central provinces of sri lanka.
in the 5th DC. king Kassyapa made his fortress city. with the palace on top, water gardens, water pool and attractive paintings mirror wall and many other things to be explore.
Review by Upasena
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(5 people find this review helpful)
Critical
Culture , Family Updated 738 days ago
Sigiriya
Part hedonistic pleasure palace, part fortress and part sacred complex, Sigiriya is one of the island's most awe-inspiring archaeological sites and a leading tourist attraction. In fact some consider it to be one of the oldest tourist attractions in the world with visitors recording their impressions in some of the earliest-known graffiti. Located north of Dambulla, 116km from Colombo, the site consists of a sheer rock that rises over 200m with the ruins of a palace on the top and a vast pleasure garden complex at the foot. For just two decades in the 5th century AD, Sigiriya rose to prominence following a power struggle between two brothers, and an act of patricide that saw the then king walled-up alive by his son, Kasyapa. Fearful that his defeated brother would return from exile to extract vengeance, Kasyapa shifted the capital to Sigiriya.
Review by Priyanga Fernando
