Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Sigiriya, in central Sri Lanka, is known for the ruins of a stronghold built around the 6th century CE on a remarkable rock pillar. The rock, rising 180 m above the surrounding plain, is so steep that its top overhangs the sides. On the several acres of ground at the summit, King Kashyapa I built a palace in 477 CE as a safeguard against his enemies [this is disputed; the ruins at the top may well be of a monastery, not a palace]. Visitors began the final ascent through the open jaws and throat (giriya) of a monumental lion (sinha), thus Sigiriya. About halfway up, a section of the rock face is adorned with a series of exquisitely painted apsarases (nymphs) showering flowers, their torsos emerging from clouds. The paintings are dated to the 6th century CE and are reminiscent of contemporary work in India. Sigiriya was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982. [—Text adapted from Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008]

Sigiriya Rock (info)	One of many water tanks	Water fountain (more, info)	Royal gardens (1, 2, 3)
The start of the climb	Boulder arch #1 (info)	Resting monk	Beware of hornets!
Scenery	Winding path	Steep climb (more)	To the niche with the frescoes
Sigiriya Frescoes (1, 2)	Sigiriya Frescoes	Sigiriya Frescoes	Sigiriya Frescoes
Sigiriya Frescoes	The Fresco Wall (1, 2, 3)	Sigiriya Frescoes	Sigiriya Frescoes
Sigiriya Frescoes	Sigiriya Frescoes	Sigiriya Frescoes	Sigiriya Frescoes
Mirror wall with ancient graffiti (more, info, info)	View of a terrace from above	Lion's Paws (info)	Visitors by the Lion's Paw
The final climb to the top	On the summit of the rock	Water storage tank (more)	View from above (more)
Foundations of monasteries	Dating back 1500 years	Dates from late 5th cent. CE	Built during King Kassapa's regin
View of the countryside	Stairways and foundations	Stairways and foundations	Ancient meditation spot
Ruins of monasteries
Ancient walls and foundations	Visitor amid the ruins	Visitor amid the ruins	Top of the rock
Meditation spot?	Audience Hall (info)	Asana Cave (info)	On the path coming down
Cobra Hood Cave (info)	Remains of a stupa	View from the royal garden	Moat around Sigiriya
Sigiriya rock in later afternoon	Local restaurant in Sigiriya	Ganesha shrine in a forest	Kataragama on the windshield