Sigiriya

 

Sigiriya

The royal residence is situated in the core of the island between the towns of Dambulla and Habarane on a huge rough level 370 meters over the ocean level. Sigiriya rock level, shaped from magma of a wiped out spring of gushing lava, is 200 meters higher than the encompassing wildernesses. Its view astounds the guests with interesting agreement among nature and the human creative mind. The stronghold complex incorporates leftovers of a demolished royal residence, encircled by a broad organization of fortresses, tremendous nurseries, lakes, channels, back streets, and wellsprings. The encompassing domains of Sigiriya were repressed for a few thousand years. Since the third century BC, the rough level of Sigiriya filled in as a religious community. In the second 50% of the fifth-century lord, Kasyapa chose to build a regal home here. After his demise, Sigiriya again turned into a Buddhist cloister until the fourteenth century, when it was surrendered.

The main entrance is located on the northern side of the rock. It was designed in the form of a huge stone lion, whose feet have survived up to today but the upper parts of the body were destroyed. Thanks to this lion the palace was named Sigiriya. The term Sigiriya originates from the word Sihagri, i.e. Lion Rock. The western wall of Sigiriya was almost entirely covered by frescoes, created during the reign of Kasyapa. Eighteen frescoes have survived to this day. The frescoes are depicting nude females and are considered to be either the portraits of Kasyapa’s wives and concubines or priestess performing religious rituals. Despite the unknown identity of the females depicted in the frescoes, these unique ancient paintings are celebrating female beauty and have incredible historical significance. One of the most striking features of Sigiriya is its Mirror wall.

In the old days, it was polished so thoroughly that the king could see his reflection in it. The Mirror wall is painted with inscriptions and poems written by the visitors of Sigiriya. The most ancient inscriptions are dated from the 8th century. These inscriptions are proving that Sigiriya was a tourist destination more than a thousand years ago. Today, painting on the wall is strictly prohibited. The buildings and gardens of Sigiriya show that the creators of this amazing architectural monument used unique and creative technical skills and technologies. The development of such a landmark on a monstrous stone roughly 200 meters higher from the encompassing scene required progressed structural and designing aptitudes. The nurseries of Sigiriya are among the most seasoned finished nurseries on the planet. Sigiriya has water nurseries, cavern and stone nurseries, and furthermore terraced gardens.  They are situated in the western piece of the stone and are with a complex pressure driven framework, which comprises of waterways, locks, lakes, dams, spans, wellsprings, just as surface and underground water siphons. In the blustery season, all channels are loaded up with water, which starts to course through the entire territory of Sigiriya. Wellsprings of Sigiriya worked in the V century, maybe, are the most established on the planet. The royal residence and fortification complex is perceived as probably the best illustration of old metropolitan arranging. Considering the uniqueness of Sigiriya UNESCO proclaimed it a World Heritage site in 1982. Sigiriya is an unequaled mix of metropolitan arranging, water designing, cultivation, and expressions.