Sigiriya, also known as Sinhagiri, is an ancient rock fortress. It is located in the northern Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is dominated by a massive granite column about 180 m (590 ft) high. According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle Cūḷavaṃsa, what was once a large forest area became a hill after storms and landslides.
King Dhatusena of Anuradhapura was assassinated in 477 AD by his son by a non-royal wife, Kashyapa I. Kashyapa I, fearing his half-brother Moggallana, the rightful heir to the throne, moved the capital of the country from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya and built a fortress there. However, despite this, all King Kashyapa’s efforts were fruitless. Because Moggallana returned from exile in south India with an army and defeated Kashyapa and became king in 495. According to some sources, Kashyapa committed suicide by falling on his sword because he was abandoned by his armies during the battle. The new king, Moggallana, made Anuradhapura the capital again.
During the reign of King Kashyapa, a huge lion-shaped gorge was built on a small plateau about halfway up the rock. The majestic rock, which is of great beauty and attracts many visitors, takes its name from this structure. Because Sīnhāgiri means “Lion Rock”. The capital built on this site was transformed into a complex city and fortress during the reign of King Kashyapa. Most of the elaborate structures on and around the rock pinnacle, including defensive structures, palaces and gardens, date from this period. The capital and royal palace was abandoned after the death of King Kashyapa and used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century.
The rock fortress has an intriguing history and is of great historical and archaeological importance. It is likely that the area around Sigiriya has been inhabited since prehistoric times. There is clear evidence that many of the surrounding rock shelters and caves were occupied by Buddhist monks and hermits from the 3rd century BC. The earliest evidence of human habitation in Sigiriya is the Aligala rock shelter to the east of the Sigiriya cliff, suggesting that the area was occupied during the Mesolithic period, some five thousand years ago. Sigiriya is one of the best preserved examples of ancient urban planning and is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site.
This massive rock fortress is not only fascinating for its history, but also for its extraordinary geography and fascinating architecture. It welcomes around 1 million visitors every year.