SIGIRIYA

The story of Sigiriya dates back to the 5th century, when Sri Lanka was ruled by King Kasyapa. The king was the son of King Dhatusena, but he was not the rightful heir to the throne. Kasyapa feared that he would lose his life to his half-brother, Moggallana, who was the legitimate heir to the throne. Therefore, Kasyapa overthrew his father and imprisoned him, and then moved the capital from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya.

Sigiriya is a rock fortress that is located in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka. It is an imposing structure that rises 200 meters above the surrounding jungle. Kasyapa chose this location for his new capital because of its natural defenses. He built a palace at the summit of the rock, and surrounded it with a complex system of gardens and defensive structures.

Kasyapa ruled from Sigiriya for over a decade, but his reign was marred by fear and paranoia. He was constantly worried about Moggallana, and he became increasingly reclusive and paranoid. He even had his own army and courtiers killed, fearing that they were plotting against him.

In 495 AD, Moggallana launched an attack on Sigiriya with an army from India. Kasyapa's army was defeated, and the king fled to the summit of the rock fortress. There, he realized that all was lost, and he took his own life by falling on his sword.

After Kasyapa's death, Sigiriya was abandoned, and it was eventually taken over by Buddhist monks who used it as a monastery. Today, Sigiriya is a popular tourist attraction, and it is considered to be one of the most important archaeological sites in Sri Lanka. Its ruins and frescoes have been carefully preserved, and they provide a fascinating glimpse into the life and times of Kasyapa and his kingdom.

Some additional information about Sigiriya:

The name "Sigiriya" means "Lion Rock" in Sinhalese. It is named after the massive lion statue that used to stand at the entrance to the palace. Today, only the paws remain.

The gardens at Sigiriya are considered to be some of the oldest landscaped gardens in the world. They are divided into three terraces, each with its own unique features, such as fountains, ponds, and boulder gardens.

The most famous feature of Sigiriya is the frescoes, which are located on the western face of the rock. The frescoes depict 21 bare-breasted women, and they are thought to have been painted during Kasyapa's reign. They are considered to be some of the finest examples of ancient Sri Lankan art.

Sigiriya was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. It is considered to be one of the best-preserved examples of ancient urban planning, and it provides a unique insight into the cultural and social development of Sri Lanka during the 5th century.

Climbing to the top of Sigiriya can be a challenging experience, as there are steep staircases and narrow passages. However, the views from the top are spectacular, and visitors can see for miles around.

Sure, here are some more interesting facts about Sigiriya:

The construction of Sigiriya is believed to have taken over 18 years, and it is estimated that over 1000 workers were involved in the project.

The rock fortress is made of a hardened volcanic magma plug, which is one of the reasons why it has withstood the test of time and weather.

Sigiriya's water system is a remarkable engineering feat. Water is drawn from a nearby reservoir through underground conduits and stored in tanks at various levels of the rock. The water is then distributed through a network of canals and fountains to irrigate the gardens.

The Mirror Wall, located at the base of the frescoes, is a highly polished wall that was once used by visitors to leave graffiti. Some of the inscriptions date back to the 8th century, and they provide valuable insights into the language and culture of ancient Sri Lanka.

There are several legends associated with Sigiriya. One of the most popular is the story of King Kasyapa's daughter, who is said to have been imprisoned on the rock by her father. According to the legend, she killed herself by jumping off the rock, and her ghost is said to haunt the site to this day.

Sigiriya has been featured in several movies and TV shows, including the 2016 film "Doctor Strange" and the British TV series "Secrets of the Dead".