Glorious Citadel 8th Wonder Of the World , Sigiriya Lion Rock - Sri Lanka
A Dream Journey to the Lion Rock
During our December holiday in Sri Lanka, one destination was at the top of my 9 year old son’s wish list Sigiriya Rock Fortress. He had heard fascinating stories about this ancient wonder and was extremely curious to see it with his own eyes. His biggest dream was to climb all the way to the top by himself and discover the mysterious ruins hidden above the clouds.
We planned a day trip to Sigiriya from Kandy. The journey itself was an enjoyable experience, passing through beautiful landscapes, small villages, green forests and the peaceful countryside of central Sri Lanka.
The distance from Kandy to Sigiriya is around 90 kilometres, and the journey takes approximately 2 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. From Dambulla town, Sigiriya is only about 9 km away.
As we approached the area, the magnificent granite peak slowly appeared above the surrounding forests. Rising dramatically from the flat landscape, Sigiriya looked like a giant natural fortress created by nature itself. This remarkable rock is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Sri Lanka and stands proudly in the jungles of the Matale District.
Sigiriya - Sri Lanka’s Ancient Masterpiece
Sigiriya, also known as the Lion Rock, is one of the most extraordinary historical sites in the world. It's a perfect combination of ancient architecture, advanced engineering art and natural beauty.
This massive rock rises approximately 660 feet (200 m) above the surrounding plains. The summit has a large flat surface where an ancient royal palace once stood. Even today, visitors are amazed by how people centuries ago managed to construct such an impressive fortress on the top of a huge rock
UNESCO World Heritage
Sigiriya is one of the most spectacular wonders of the world. In 1982 UNESCO named Sigiriya is as a World Heritage Site and declared as 8th Wonder of the world. Built in 5th century by iconic king in Sri Lankan history King Kashyapa ruled in 18 years. There's nothing like this anywhere in the world. It is 660 feet tall and has a flat top. There are incredible ancient ruins at the top.Many travellers describe Sigiriya as one of the world’s greatest archaeological wonders. There is truly nothing else quite like it anywhere in the world.
We spent around 3 to 4 hours exploring Sigiriya, walking through the ancient gardens, climbing hundreds of steps, admiring the paintings and discovering the ruins at the summit.
The best time to visit Sigiriya is early morning or late afternoon. During these times, the weather is cooler, the crowds are smaller and the golden sunlight creates breathtaking views. Late afternoon is especially beautiful because the sunset colors make the ancient rock glow with a magical atmosphere.
The Fascinating Story Behind King Kashyapa and Sigiriya
Behind the beauty of Sigiriya lies a dramatic story from Sri Lankan history. During the ancient Anuradhapura Kingdom, King Dhathusena was a powerful ruler famous for his remarkable achievements. He built many irrigation lakes, canals and enormous Buddhist statues. His contribution to Sri Lanka’s agricultural and cultural development was significant.
King Dhathusena had two sons; Mugalan and Kashyapa. Prince Mugalan, the son of the chief queen, was the rightful heir to the throne. However, Prince Kashyapa, whose mother was a companion queen, wanted to become king. Driven by ambition, Kashyapa received support from the army commander and took control of the kingdom after a tragic event, the murder of his own father, King Dhathusena in 477 AD.
After becoming king, Kashyapa feared revenge from his half brother Mugalan, who escaped to India and began preparing an army to reclaim his rightful throne. Because of this fear, Kashyapa decided to move the capital from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya. He transformed the enormous rock into an almost impossible to attack royal fortress.
The Fortress Built on Fear and Power
During King Kashyapa’s 18 year reign from 477 AD to 495 AD, Sigiriya became a magnificent royal city. The king built a palace on the summit of the rock, surrounded by gardens, pools, walls and advanced water systems. The location provided both natural protection and a spectacular view over the surrounding jungle.
However, despite all the security around his fortress, Kashyapa could not escape his past. Eventually, Prince Mugalan returned with a powerful army supported by Indian forces. A great battle took place between the two brothers.
According to historical accounts, during the battle, Kashyapa realised defeat was unavoidable. Rather than being captured by his brother, he ended his own life. After Mugalan became king, he destroyed many parts of Sigiriya’s royal palace and moved the capital back to Anuradhapura. Later, Sigiriya was transformed into a Buddhist monastery and remained a place of religious importance for many centuries.
Entering the Ancient City of Sigiriya
Our adventure began at the entrance of the fortress. A wide, straight pathway leads visitors towards the enormous rock, following the ancient east west design of the city. The entire area was carefully planned with incredible precision. Sigiriya was not just a palace; it was a complete ancient city with gardens, ponds, fountains and defensive structures.
The fortress was protected by two large moats. The Outer Moat, which is mostly dry today and the Inner Moat, surrounded by strong walls, show the advanced defensive planning of ancient engineers. After crossing the inner moat, we entered the famous Water Gardens.
The Amazing Water Gardens and Ancient Technology
One of the most impressive features of Sigiriya is its ancient hydraulic technology. The Water Gardens demonstrate the extraordinary engineering skills of people who lived more than 1500 years ago. The gardens include pools, channels, underground water systems and fountains designed with great creativity.
The most fascinating part is that some of the fountains still function during the rainy season even after many centuries. We were incredibly lucky to witness these beautiful fountains working during our visit. Standing there and watching water flow through a system created so long ago was a memorable experience. It's a reminder that ancient Sri Lankan engineers possessed remarkable knowledge of water management and architecture.
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Water Fountains are still Working |
The Famous Sigiriya Frescoes - Ancient Art Hidden in the Rock
As we continued towards the rock face, we reached one of Sigiriya’s greatest treasures; the famous fresco paintings. Two spiral metal staircases lead visitors to a sheltered cave area in the western face of the rock. Inside this protected area are the beautiful paintings of heavenly maidens, known as the Sigiriya Frescoes. |
| Spiral Staircase To The Frescoes |
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| View From The Spiral Staircase |
These paintings are considered some of the finest examples of ancient Sri Lankan art. Photography is not allowed in this area because camera flashes can damage these delicate paintings. In ancient times, a large section of the western surface of Sigiriya; believed to have covered around 14,000 square metres was decorated with colourful paintings. Today, only a small number remain, but they still show the incredible artistic ability of ancient craftsmen.
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| Beautiful ladies in Frescoes |
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| Sigiriya Freacoes |
The Mirror Wall - A Unique Ancient Creation
After viewing the frescoes, we followed the pathway along the side of the rock and reached another famous feature; the Mirror Wall. Originally, this wall was made from bricks and covered with a highly polished white plaster mixture. The surface was so smooth and shiny that King Kashyapa could see his reflection while walking beside it.
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| Climbing To The Mirror Wall |
The ancient mixture reportedly included materials such as lime, egg white, beeswax and wild honey to create the polished surface. Over many centuries, visitors wrote poems, thoughts and messages on the wall. These ancient writings, known as Sigiriya graffiti, provide valuable information about how people admired Sigiriya hundreds of years ago.
The Challenging Climb to the Lion Platform
The final stage of the climb was the most exciting part of our journey. A steep staircase leads upwards to the Lion Platform, located on the northern side of the rock. This is where visitors can see the famous lion paws carved into the stone.
In ancient times, a giant lion statue stood at the entrance. Visitors would enter through the mouth of the lion before climbing the final staircase to the royal palace. Today, only the enormous paws remain because the lion’s head collapsed long ago. The staircase between the lion paws leads all the way to the summit.
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| There's a Long Queue |
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| Rock Climbing From the Lion Paw |
When we reached this section, there was a long queue because everyone had to use the same narrow staircase to go up and come back down. Although the climb was challenging, the excitement of reaching the top kept everyone motivated. My son was determined and continued climbing step by step. Seeing his excitement and curiosity made this journey even more special.
Discovering the Royal Palace at the Summit
Finally, we reached the top of Sigiriya. The summit was much larger than we expected. This was once the location of King Kashyapa’s royal palace.
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| Royal Palace Ruins At the Top - A Pond |
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| Royal Castle Ruins At The Top Of the Rock |
Today, only the foundations remain, but visitors can still imagine how magnificent this palace must have been. The ruins reveal evidence of buildings, terraces, and water ponds that once decorated the mountaintop. From the summit, we enjoyed breathtaking views of the surrounding forests, villages and ancient landscapes. Looking across the endless greenery, it was easy to understand why King Kashyapa chose this location for his fortress.
A Memory We Will Never Forget
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| Amazing View From The Top |
Visiting Sigiriya was not just a sightseeing experience; it was a journey through Sri Lanka’s history, engineering, art and legends. The climb of approximately 1200 steps was challenging, but reaching the summit made every step worthwhile.
The happiest person during this adventure was my son. He loved discovering ancient ruins, learning the story of King Kashyapa and achieving his goal of climbing Sigiriya Rock by himself. Sigiriya is truly a place where history comes alive. It's a destination that every traveller should experience at least once.
After completing our Sigiriya adventure, we were excited for our next journey, travelling from Kandy to the beautiful hill country of Ella by train, one of the most scenic railway journeys in the world. Our Sigiriya adventure will always remain one of the most unforgettable family memories from Sri Lanka.
Useful tips to help you plan your Sigiriya adventure.
1. Visit Early Morning or Late Afternoon📌 The best time to climb Sigiriya is early morning (around 7:00–9:00 am) or late afternoon (after 3:00 pm).
📌 The weather is cooler, making the climb easier. There are fewer crowds, especially near the Lion’s Paw staircase.
📌 The soft morning or evening sunlight creates beautiful photographs.
📌 Late afternoon offers a chance to enjoy spectacular sunset views from the top.
📌 Avoid climbing around midday because the heat can be intense, especially during dry seasons.
2. Wear Comfortable Clothes and Shoes
Climbing Sigiriya requires walking and climbing around 1200 steps, so comfortable clothing is important.
Recommended:
📌 Lightweight, breathable clothes.
📌Comfortable walking shoes or sports shoes.
📌 A hat or cap to protect yourself from the sun.
📌Sunglasses during sunny days.
Avoid wearing slippery sandals or uncomfortable footwear because some sections of the climb are steep.
3. Carry Enough Water
The climb can be physically demanding, especially in Sri Lanka’s tropical climate.
Bring:
📌 A bottle of drinking water
📌 Some energy snacks such as fruits, nuts or chocolate
📌 Electrolyte drinks if visiting on a hot day
There are limited places to buy refreshments inside the archaeological area, so it is better to be prepared.
4. Take Your Time During the Climb
Do not rush to reach the summit.
The journey itself is part of the experience. Take breaks and enjoy:
📌 The ancient gardens
📌 The water fountains
📌 The surrounding jungle views
📌 The Sigiriya frescoes
📌 The Mirror Wall
📌 The Lion’s Paw entrance
For children and older visitors, taking regular breaks makes the climb much easier.
5. Be Prepared for the Lion’s Paw Staircase
The final section of Sigiriya is the most exciting but can also be challenging.
The staircase near the Lion’s Paw area is:
Narrow
Steep
Often crowded
There can be queues because visitors use the same staircase to go up and return down. Hold the handrails, move slowly and be patient during busy times.
6. Protect Yourself from the Sun
The first part of the climb has limited shade.
Bring:
📌Sunscreen
📌A hat
📌Sunglasses
📌A small towel
Applying sunscreen before starting the climb is recommended, especially for children.
7. Keep Your Children Close
Sigiriya is a wonderful place for children because it combines adventure and history.
However:
📌Some stairways are steep.
📌Some areas have high drops.
📌Crowded sections require extra attention.
Children should always stay close to adults, especially near the summit and Lion’s Paw area.
8. Respect the Ancient Frescoes
The Sigiriya frescoes are among Sri Lanka’s most valuable historical treasures.
Remember:
📌Photography is not allowed near the frescoes.
📌Do not touch the paintings.
📌Follow instructions from guides and officials.
These artworks have survived for more than 1500 years and need protection for future generations.
9. Hire a Local Guide (Optional but Recommended)
A guide can make your visit much more meaningful. Without a guide, you may only see stones and ruins.
With a guide, you can understand:
📌The story of King Kashyapa
📌The purpose of the water gardens
📌Ancient engineering techniques
📌The meaning behind the frescoes
📌Historical discoveries around Sigiriya
10. Start Your Journey Early from Kandy
If travelling from Kandy, Sigiriya can be visited as a day trip.
Travel distance:
Kandy to Sigiriya: approximately 90 km
Dambulla to Sigiriya: approximately 9 km
The drive can take around 2 hours, depending on traffic.
Starting early allows enough time to:
📌Reach Sigiriya before the heat increases
📌Explore the entire site comfortably
📌Visit nearby attractions such as Dambulla Cave Temple.
11. Buy Tickets Before Entering
Tickets are purchased at the entrance of the archaeological site.
Keep in mind:
📌The entrance fee can change, so check the latest prices before visiting.
📌Carry some Sri Lankan currency for small expenses.
12. Combine Sigiriya with Nearby Attractions
Sigiriya is located in an area rich with history and nature.
Popular nearby places include:
📌Dambulla Cave Temple - famous for ancient Buddhist murals and statues.
📌Minneriya National Park - known for elephants and wildlife.
📌Pidurangala Rock - offers one of the best views of Sigiriya Rock.
13. The Best Months to Visit Sigiriya
Sigiriya can be visited throughout the year, but generally the most comfortable months are:
📌January to April - drier weather and pleasant conditions
📌May to September - usually good for exploring, though temperatures can be high
📌October to December - more rainfall but the surrounding landscape becomes beautifully green
14. Enjoy the Experience, Not Just the Destination
Sigiriya is not only about reaching the top. The real beauty is the journey:
Walking through ancient royal gardens, seeing centuries - old paintings, climbing the legendary Lion’s Paw staircase and standing on a summit where an ancient king once lived are memories that last forever.
For families, especially children, Sigiriya is more than a historical site; it's an exciting adventure into the past. A visit to Sigiriya is a must do experience for anyone travelling to Sri Lanka
Comments
-Siva