Sigiriya - an unsolved mystery ..

There is lush greenery everywhere. Its more or less like a plain terrain and then, as if out of no where, emerges a humongous rock in front of you. How huge?? Nearly 660 ft tall columnar structure! If you are awestruck by this, please hold on..there is something more. On the top of the rock, at 660 ft height, there are remains of a palace! It can be called as a palace fortress. 

Sigiriya 📷 Sneha Tilak

Sigiriya 📷 Wikimedia commons

Sigiriya 📷 Sneha Tilak

Sigiriya or Sinhgiri is a UNESCO listed world heritage site in Srilanka near the town Dambulla. 

It has historical, mythological, cultural, religious and archaeological importance. 

It's actually an excellent example of urban town planning. 

Archaeological evidence found around Sigiriya tells that this place was inhabited even before 5000 years. Some people say that on the top of #Sigiriya rock fortress was Ravan's gold palace. This gold palace was built by Kuber, God Of Wealth who is half brother of Ravan. 

Some believe that this palace was built by aliens, otherwise building a palace at 660 ft height on a steep rock was not possible for any human being!

According to historians and the ancient chronicles this was the capital of King Kashyap. King Kashyap killed his father Dhatusen and acquired the throne. King Kashyap was always afraid of his brother Moggallana. Moggallana was rightful heir of the throne. To protect himself from Moggallana's attack, King Kashyap made this secure place, Sigiriya his capital. Many structures were build in King Kashyapa's reign (477-495 CE). Some historians say that Sigiriya was King Kashyap's pleasure palace. 

After the demise of Kashyap, only the lower palaces of Sigiriya were converted into Buddhist monastery. After some years this place was abandoned by Baudh Bhikkhus. After that Sigiriya remained hidden and forgotten for many centuries. 

There is a moat on the outer part of Sigiriya which reminds us of Angkor, Cambodia. Near the booking office, there are water gardens. 

Water Garden near booking office
 📷 Sneha Tilak

There are L and U shaped water gardens arranged in interesting geometrical combinations. There are four gardens of Paradise representing Soul,Heart, Spirit and essence representing journey of soul. 

Gardens of Sigiriya as seen from the top.
 📷 Sneha Tilak

On a bit higher level is third water garden in the form of an octagonal pond. 

Octagonal pond
 📷 Sneha Tilak

Our guide told us that water was carried to the top of the rock at 660 ft height by hydraulic systems. He said that some of the fountains are still working, but we couldn't see them. 

There are boulder gardens with huge boulders and caves.

 

Rock tunnel 📷 Sneha Tilak

We were surprised to know that many bricks from the brick walls and steps are few hundreds year old. 

A British author has said in his travelogue, which was written before hundred years, that one side of the rock was covered by paintings. Can you imagine 400 ft long and 100 ft tall area of the rock can be covered with paintings? Surely it must have been an amazing site. Sadly today we can see only few of the fresco paintings. The painting style surely reminds us of #Ajanta paintings, India. 

Spiral iron stairs going towards the paintings
 📷 Sneha Tilak

The beautiful paintings
 📷 Sneha Tilak

Guide told us that some part of the wall was polished like a mirror, so the sun rays will be reflected.

 

Soldier posts?
 📷 Sneha Tilak

Cobra head rock
📷 Sneha Tilak

Now let's see the gate which gave this rock fortress it's name Sigiriya/ Sinhgiri -the lion (Sinh) gate. Head of lion was there,before some decades, but now it is broken. We can still see the front legs,in fact paws of the lion. 

The Lion Gate
📷Sneha Tilak

The climb from Lion gate

📷Commons Wikimedia

I surely won't suggest this place for seniors citizens, persons with disabilities and young kids. There are nearly 1500 uneven and tough steps. They can wait near the water gardens. 

Surely not for faint- hearted
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The climb is tough but worth it. Once you go at the top, the amazing view of the surroundings and the palace remains, ancient terrace gardens are worth taking all the trouble of climbing! 

I would suggest to wear apt footwear and carry water with you. It won't be available during the climb or on the top of the rock. 

We are there!!

There is a man made huge pond at the top of the rock, some terrace gardens and some remains of basement of various buildings. How water was carried to the top? How bricks, Marble and Granite were carried to 660 ft height? If there were not many staircases at that time, then how people could reach to the palace? Are the horizontal lines or channels which we see today on rock, were really for the trolley or lift? If really there were lifts at that time, on which energy the lift was operated? How the vertical grooves, today which are known as soldier posts, were cut in the rock? What was their purpose? Everyone is puzzled by these questions. Sigiriya has become a sought after destination in Sri Lanka travels. I should say, surely a must visit travel site in Sri Lanka! 

Palace on the rock!
📷 Open source, Internet

There are so many questions which are yet to be answered. Till that time Sigiriya will remain a mystery! No doubt this place deserves to be eighth wonder in the world as they say in Sri Lanka. 

#MysteriousDestination #Vacation #PalaceOnRock