A Brief Guide Of The Gardens of Sigiriya and its Surroundings

The Fortress and its gardens are surrounded by a thick luscious jungle, giving an incredible view from atop the rock. The only view, which may be comparable to that of Sigiriya, is from its neighbouring hill Pidurangala. Once Kasyapa claimed Sigiriya, the monks who were meditating there moved to the nearby temple. It is a short hike to the top of the rock, and you pass a small Buddhist temple with a statue of the Lord Buddha built into the rock. From here, you get a magnificent view of the surrounding landscape along with the Sigiriya Rock, making this view even more special.

To get the most out of this incredible experience, of both Sigiriya and Pidurangala, it would be advised to go on a guided tour, to ensure you are well informed of the history and architecture. Hotel Sigiriya not only offers guests a wonderful stay but also organises a guided tour to both sites which is a must for anyone travelling around Sri Lanka.

The boulder garden is far more rugged than the other two. This garden is sprawled across the foot of Sigiriya. There is a pathway that is surrounded by jungle and boulders, atop most of these boulders is a flat pavilion which was used by guards as a lookout. Before Kasyapa ruled the area, the boulders were used as the bases for monastery structures.

The main purpose of the terraced gardens was to admire the surrounding vistas, or to catch your breath! The terraces are shaped around the natural ascent of Sigiriya rock, linked by a series of brick walls and limestone staircases which lead to the different terraces. The final, and highest, terrace is right at the foot of the famous lion staircase.

The water gardens are divided into three sections, the first being a moat of sorts- a testament to the king’s fear of invasion. It is a plot of land surrounded by water and has four causeways with a gate at each causeway. The second water garden is more welcoming and not as imposing as the first, it consists of symmetrical pools built on an east-west axis. Here, there are round limestone fountains that are still functional during the rainy season. The third is slightly higher than the other two, it comprises of a large octagonal pool with an elevated pavilion, on which the summer palaces were housed. Despite the impressive exterior of the water garden, what happens beneath the surface of gardens is far more impressive. All the pools are fed by an artificial lake situated on the south end of the fortress, and are interlinked by an underground network of small tubes.

The Sigiriya Rock Fortress built in the 5th Century by King Kasyapa, is truly an unparalleled site. It has a rich and colourful history; in the 3rd Century it was a monastery for Buddhist priests, later it became Kasyapa’s fortress after he committed patricide and usurped- the rightful heir- his brother. The newly instated king heavily fortified his palace, always in fear of his brother’s return. Nonetheless, Kashyapa brought a flair of extravagance to the fortress unseen before: beautiful frescos dotted the stone walls, one wall that was well polished to act a mirror, elaborate gardens, and a large harem of women from countries all over the world!

Just the history of Sigiriya itself is fascinating, but the Fortress is further marvelled due to its architectural advancements, which is why Sigiriya became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There was an advanced irrigation system, which was well beyond its time, and modern day engineers are bewildered by how such an intricate system existed in ancient times. Furthermore, Sigiriya Fortress is perhaps one of the most well planned palaces in Sri Lanka, and has one of the oldest landscaped gardens in the world. The gardens are divided into three: water gardens, boulder gardens, and terraced gardens.