Sigiriya

Understand

Sigiriya is famous for its high red stone fortress and palace ruins which are surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs and other structures. The rock is believed by Hindus to be the site of the fortress of Ravana, the main villain in the epic Ramayana. There is also the Naipena Guhava (Cobra Hood Cave), which Hindus believe is where Ravana imprisoned Rama's wife Sita after kidnapping her. The fortress is 200 metres above the surrounding plain (370 metres above sea level). The rock was a Buddhist monastery between the third century BC to 477 CE. The palatial complex on the top of the rock were built by King Kashyapa (477 – 495 CE), who had seized power after committing patricide. The rightful heir to the throne, Moggallana, fled to South India. Fearing an attack from Moggallana, Kashyapa moved the capital and his residence from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya. Most of the constructions on the rock summit and around it, including defensive structures, palaces, and gardens, date back to this period. Kashyapa was defeated in 495 CE by Moggallana, who moved the capital again to Anuradhapura. Sigiriya was then turned back into a Buddhist monastery, which lasted until the 13th or 14th century.

Around the rock is a walled citadel covering an area of about 15 hectares. This citadel presents an irregular, broadly elliptical plan, which defines the outer limits of the hill slopes around the base of the rock. This boulder-strewn hillside has been fashioned into …

Get around

You can organise a tuk tuk to take you around, but it's more exciting just walking around and exploring all the other sights and viewpoints here.

Do

You don't necessarily have to spend big budget in Sigiriya to enjoy it. There are three rocks in the area which give you almost equally great views over the plains and especially onto the Lion Rock itself.

Stay safe

Bring lots of water as the walk through the gardens and the climb to the top of the rock takes about one and half hours. There is no water available inside the complex. It is possible to climb Sigiriya in the rain but care on the stone steps which become slippery when wet. Additionally, the view at the top might get obscured due to the rain.

You'll see signs along the path telling you to be quiet so as not to provoke the wasps.

Connect

Good connection by all mobile providers. Vast majority of hotels and restaurants offer WiFi.

Go next

Dambulla — with its great cave temple. Kandy - Temple of Tooth Kaudulla National Park — less known place to see elephants in about away from Minneriya Minneriya National Park — primary place to see elephants in this part of Sri Lanka Trincomalee