The Sigiriya rock towers mightily above the ground as a symbol of the Lankan Majesty. It is a treasure-trove of wonders from ancient Sri Lanka and is the surviving proof to the unmatched intelligence of the forefathers of the nation. Sigiriya’s archeological value combined with its amazing structure makes it one of the most popular world heritage sites in the country.
The Majestic Sigiriya rock found certainly in every Lankan brochure is located somewhere in the heart of Sri Lanka, in the district of Matale. The Rock which once served as a monastery is now more popular known as the ruin of an ancient palace complex. The Sigiriya Palace was built by the great King Kasayapa somewhere in between 477 AD and 495 AD. The nation boomed under the reign of this leader but his downfall with his own family lead to his ultimate demise. So much about his luxurious life, rule and defense can be learnt in a stroll up the Sigiriya Rock. The Rock in itself is a fantastic adventure that is quite fascinating to explore. It towers 200 meters above the ground and has plenty of stairs that take you to the very top; a destination perfect for the Kodak. The scenery from atop is really unbeatable, especially at around sunset. Along your way you will encounter a number of remnants of the Kasyapa era. The frescoes are the most popular and have a tale to tell within itself. Then there is the mirror wall, the royal court, the cobra hood cave and several other chambers, stairways and pools along the way. Two gigantic lion paws found around halfway to the top is a significant ruin of the palace design. This is infact the paws of a gigantic lion whose open mouth served as an entrance to the royal palace.
In Sigiriya the best place to stay is at the Jetwing Vil Uyana. This Sigriya hotel is certainly the best of all Sri Lanka hotels.
