SIGIRIYA - The Lion Mountain
Sigiriya, in fact, should have been classed as one of the Wonders of the Ancient World, long ago, and there is now a proposal to name it as the Eighth Wonder of the world. Perhaps, it is better late than never!
Sri Lanka's ancient architectural tradition is well portrayed 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. Sophisticated city planning was at the heart of Sigiriya, this royal citadel of ancient fame from the days of Sri Lanka's memorable past.
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.
Ruins of the Palace Complex at the top of Sigiriya, Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka
Sigiriya mountain. sri lanka in Sri Lanka
1.
King Kasyapa’s Fortress Palace
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The first theory about the creation and purpose
of Sigiriya connects the complex to the reign (from 477 to 496 AD) of King
Kasyapa. According to legend, Kasyapa built the structures atop the summit of
the rock after murdering his father, King Dhatusena (walling him up alive) and
seizing power from his half-brother, Mogallana. The palace and fortress were
built to protect the usurper from the avenging armies of Mogallana.
Buddhist Monastery
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Lonely Planet outlines a different theory about
Sigiriya supported by “archaeological, literary, religious and cultural
evidence, rather than local legend.” This theory proposes that Sigiriya
functioned as a “long-standing Mahayana and Theravada Buddhist monastery built
several centuries before the time of King Kasyapa.” As early as the 3rd century
BC, the site operated as a hermitage and had developed into an important
monastery by the 10th century AD (and abandoned after the 14th century).
Frescoes
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Remnants of plaster and pigment remain
throughout the site. Although only a fraction of the approximately 500 images remain
the frescoes of Sigiriya “represent the earliest surviving examples of a Sri Lanka
school of classical realism” according to Discoversrilanka.com. The
still-visible images of women have been variously interpreted as “Heavenly
Maidens,” ladies of the Kasyapan court, “Lightning Princess and Cloud Damsels”
and, according to Lonely Planet, Tara Devi, a Mahayana Buddhist goddess.
Mirror Wall Graffiti
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According to DiscoverSriLanka.com, a path runs
up the western and northern sides of the Sigiriya rock to “provide access to
the seeming inaccessible summit.” This path is protected by a 9 1/2 foot high
plaster wall so highly polished and glazed that “even today, after fifteen
centuries of exposure to sun, wind and rain, one can see one’s reflection in
it.” Called the Mirror Wall, it displays the writings of visitors to the
Sigiriya complex between the 7th and 11th centuries AD. As the graffiti is
translated, it offers scholars a valuable historical resource.
Lion Rock
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When climbing the pathway of the rock to the
summit, a platform emerges halfway up the north side. Here once sat the giant
lion that gave Sigiriya, “Lion Rock,” its name. In order to reach the summit of
the rock, travelers had to pass between the lion’s paws and through its mouth.
DiscoverSriLanka.com notes that “based on the ideas described in some of the
graffiti, this Lion staircase could be visualized as a gigantic figure towering
majestically against the granite cliff, facing north, bright coloured and
awe-inspiring.” Today, only the paws and several steps remain
Panorama by http://www.360cities.net
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