SIGIRIYA is a Heritage

 

One of Sri Lanka's most priceless historical sites is Sigiriya. The ancient palace and fortress complex, known locally as the "Eighth Wonder of the World," is of great archaeological significance and draws several tourists each year. It is conceivably Sri Lanka's most popular tourist location.

The palace is situated on a vast rocky plateau 370 meters above sea level in the center of the island, halfway between the villages of Dambulla and Habarane.

The Sigiriya rock plateau is 200 meters higher than the nearby forests and was created from the lava of an extinct volcano. Visitors are astounded by its perspective due to the exceptional synergy between nature and human imagination.

The castle complex has the ruins of a palace, which are encircled by a large network of walls, as well as enormous gardens, ponds, canals, lanes, and fountains.

For several thousand years, Sigiriya's surroundings remained restrained. The rocky plateau of Sigiriya has been a monastery since the third century BC. King Kasyapa made the decision to build a palace here in the second part of the 5th century.

Sigiriya, also known as Lion Rock or Lion Mountain, is a historical location in central Sri Lanka that is home to the remains of a former fortress that was constructed on a spectacular monolithic rock pillar in the late 5th century CE. The rock rises to a height of 1,144 feet (349 meters) above sea level and is around 600 feet (180 meters) above the surrounding plain. Its top overhangs the sides because it is so steep.

On the numerous acres of land at the peak, the Sinhalese monarch Kashyapa  (reigned 477–495) constructed a palace in the form of a massive lion with the intention of defending himself from his adversaries. But in 495, the monarch was overthrown, and the palace was left in ruins. However, the location quickly became a renowned pilgrimage site, and it is now a well-liked tourist destination. One of the few surviving undamaged areas of the palace, visitors start their last trek to the summit through the open paws of the lion. 21 apsara rock drawings are also noteworthy (celestial singers and dancers). In 1982, Sigiriya received the UNESCO World Heritage designation.