Sigiriya the 8th Wonder of the World

Once upon a time, in a land far away, there was a kingdom ruled by a wise and just king. His name was Kasyapa, and he was known throughout the land for his kindness, fairness, and love of art and beauty.

One day, as he was walking through his kingdom, King Kasyapa came across a towering rock that rose up from the jungle. It was a magnificent sight, with its reddish color and sheer height. The king was immediately captivated by the rock and knew that he had to build something on top of it.

He summoned his architects and engineers and tasked them with building a palace and fortress on top of the rock. The construction took years and involved thousands of workers, but finally, the palace was completed. It was a magnificent structure, with ornate carvings, intricate frescoes, and beautiful gardens surrounding it.

King Kasyapa was thrilled with his new palace and made it his capital city. He ruled from the top of the rock and enjoyed the stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The people of the kingdom marveled at their king's new palace and considered it a symbol of their prosperity and power.

However, not all was well in the kingdom. King Kasyapa had a half-brother, Moggallana, who he had overthrown to claim the throne. Moggallana was a powerful and popular figure, and many people in the kingdom believed that he was the rightful king.

Over time, Moggallana began to gather support for his cause, and it became clear that he was planning to launch an attack on the kingdom. King Kasyapa knew that he needed to prepare for battle, but he was also worried about the safety of his palace and his people.

One night, as he was walking through the gardens, King Kasyapa had an idea. He decided to build a massive wall around the rock to protect his palace from any potential attackers. He summoned his workers and began construction on the wall immediately.

The wall was massive, with intricate carvings and intricate designs. It was so large that it took years to complete, and it became known throughout the kingdom as the 'Mirror Wall' due to its reflective qualities.

Despite the wall's magnificence, King Kasyapa was still worried about Moggallana's impending attack. He knew that he needed to be prepared for anything, so he constructed a series of traps and defenses around the palace.

The day of the battle arrived, and King Kasyapa and his army prepared for the worst. Moggallana's forces were fierce, but they were no match for the king's defenses. The traps and defenses worked perfectly, and the attackers were driven back.

However, in the chaos of the battle, King Kasyapa's fate was sealed. According to legend, he was defeated by his half-brother, who he had overthrown to claim the throne. Rather than face defeat, King Kasyapa is said to have committed suicide by falling on his own sword.

Despite his tragic end, King Kasyapa's legacy lives on at Sigiriya. The palace and fortress that he built are a testament to his creativity, ingenuity, and love of beauty. The Mirror Wall and the traps and defenses that he constructed are a testament to his strategic mind and his commitment to protecting his people.

The mystery of Sigiriya's past continues to fascinate people to this day. What was the reason behind King Kasyapa's decision to build his palace on top of the rock? What was the true nature of his relationship with his half-brother? And what really happened on the day of the battle?

Despite the mysteries that surround it, Sigiriya remains a source of pride for the people of Sri Lanka.