Anastasia Smith
Iconic Sigiriya is one of Sri Lanka’s greatest historical treasures. The magnificent fortress and its region are part of the cultural triangle and are filled with many activities and discoveries.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site is indeed a sight to behold! This spectacular monolith dates back millions of years and was made a protective fortress by King Kashyapa in 447-495 CE. He moved the capital from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya after having committed parricide. At the summit, you will find many palace ruins, including a throne and a large pool that never dries up. On route to the summit, there are beautiful frescoes of the Sigiriya damsels that should not be missed. It is believed many rock and water gardens existed at the summit as well as on the palace grounds. To this day, it remains a mystery how the hydraulic systems defied gravity and transported water up the massive rock. The palace grounds are massive and are almost a separate attraction with so much to explore. There are several natural rock-hewn ponds, delightful gardens and caves to discover after climbing the rock.
This is another rock close to Sigiriya which offers great views of Sigiriya from its summit. To enter, you have to go through a temple and climb several high rocky steps. You'll also find several rock-hewn sculptures of the Buddha here. Legend has it that King Kashyapa used to come to this location to pay his respects to the Buddha. Unlike Sigiriya, reaching the top of this rock can be strenuous since there are no metal stairwells to take you up to the summit. However, there is a path that has been made traversable due to continuous trips made by visitors to the rock. It's recommended that you wear good shoes and go early in the morning, as the rock warms up as the day progresses, making the climb more difficult. Once you reach the top of Pidurangala, you'll be able to spot the Lion Rock in all its glory. The sunrise and sunset from the top are most spectacular, making it a great spot for a picture session. If you are looking for luxury hotels in Sigiriya the likes of Water Garden Sigiriya are among the options available.
The Dambulla Cave Temple is another UNESCO World Heritage Site and is just a 20-minute drive away from Sigiriya. This temple is the largest and best-preserved cave temple in Sri Lanka. The entire temple complex is built on a rock over 160 meters high. The temple towers over the surrounding region and overlooks thick, dense forests. There are over 80 discovered caves within the temple grounds, but five, in particular, are the most visited. Inside these caves, you will find frescoes and statues of the Buddha, as well as stories detailing his past lives and those of his disciples. The cave art and sculptures are impressive and serve as a fine example of ancient forms of Sinhalese art.
There are several national parks close to Sigiriya, Minneriya and Kaudulla are considered the closest to Sigiriya. Minneriya is famous for its elephant gatherings, and so is Kaudulla. The best spot to see the gathering from Kaudulla is near the water tank, if you are lucky you will get to see many baby elephants frolicking in the watering holes. This takes place from July to October. The safaris are usually conducted via jeep with around 4 to 6 people. Make sure to ask for a good driver who knows the history of the park and respects the animals and their space.
This archaeological site lies just 8 km away from Sigiriya. Translated into ''Black Water Pond ' in English, this was once the site of an ancient Buddhist monastery. It is believed to have been built by King Saddhatissa in 137-139 BCE. There is a dense forest cover surrounding the pond and archaeological remains and is a good 30-minute hike from the point of entry to the historical sites. Apart from the large pond, there is also a stupa over 1200 years old, rock caves with inscriptions and all kinds of indigenous flora and fauna.
