The 8th wonder of the world- Sigiriya (Lion Rock)

As I promised in last week,today I'm going to tell you about Sigiriya,the 8th wonder of the world..Actually I will have to publish a book to tell you everything about Sigiriya.But I'll do my best..I spent past few days reading books about Sigiriya,and checked information I gathered from a museum because I want to give you accurate information.Sigiriya is a rock fortress situated in Sri Lanka. So now why this is considered as the 8th wonder of the world? As I said in my previous post(click HERE to read it) it is because the technology used in Sigiriya is still a question mark for many scientists around the world.The magnificent hydraulic systems and the technology used to make a huge fortress on a a huge rock.I have to tell something about this rock first.This is called Sigiriya (lion rock) because of a huge creation of a lion on the rock(today we can only see his paws) .Sigiri rock has a history of 25-18 millions of years.So it belongs to pre-Cambrian era according to the information I gathered from museum.It's so old ha? :) So lets get to know about the history and legends associated with Sigirya and also about my journey to Sigiriya.

History..

According to many history books Sigirirya was a construction of King Kashyapa in 5th century.But some people believe that it is done by the great emp

eror Ravana (to read more about this legendary ruler who even had air-crafts click HERE).It is said that king Kasyapa killed his own father and became a king and the prince who had the right to the throne ran away to India.King Kasyapa was afraid that he will come one day with troops and he constructed the rock fortress.Before King Kasyapa made the fortress there was a Buddhist monastery and ruins of the monastery is still can be seen.However the prince came back from India and defeated King Kasyapa.But he chose another city as his capital and abandoned Sigiriya.After that the palace was opened to public and people often visited there.They wrote poems on the mirror wall in Sigiriya and that's a great source of information for many archaeologists.In 1831 British Major Jonathan Forbes mentions Sigiriya for the 1st time. H.C.P. Bell was the 1st archaeologist to conduct extensive research on sigiriya.


So now back to my topic.I went there especially to write this post.And from here on I will provide information about my journey.

It was a rainy day and I was afraid that the authority won't let us to climb the rock.But as soon as I got there the rain stopped and the rain was a hidden prayer coz if it's sunny then the rock would get heated and it's unbearable.If you are a foreigner visiting this place make sure to visit the museum first.No need to buy another ticket.You can use the ticket you used to enter Sigiriya.They will show you a documentary about Sigiriya and explain everything you should look.So maybe you will not need a guide.

Site plan

First you'll walk through many gardens.These gardens were built symmetrically and they are so beautiful.You must see it from your own eyes to understand that.It is said that ancient people used hydraulic systems to pump water from the Sigiri tank to these gardens.I added some photographs of these beautiful gardens here..

And guess what,there are some fountains made by King Kasyapa and some of them are still working on rainy days even after thousands of years.Hooray!! Another advantage of visiting Sigiriya on a rainy day.I saw it myself!!!

After walking through the gradens you will have to start the climbing! It can be tiring,so make sure to have a water bottle in your backpack. 

After some time you'll reach the stairs to watch the frescoes.That's one of the main attractions in Sigiriya.The paintings of king's concubines can be seen on the rock.There are references in the graffiti to 500 ladies but today we can see only few of the beauties..Unfortunately I couldn't go there thanks to those chinese tourists I mentioned in a previous post (To read it click HERE).After that you'll see the mirror wall.It is said that this wall was polished like a mirror so that the could see himself when he's walking along these paths. 

After a while you'll reach lion paws..The reason behind the name Sigiriya. 

Then the serious climbing will begin.It was too windy on the day I went there so I was shaking...I thought I'd fall and I wonder How I'll be able to full-fill my dream of climbing my dream of climbing Mount Huashan (It is considered as the most dangerous hike in the world.To read more about Mt Ha click HERE) ,and that's what gave me courage to climb.I kept reminding myself "You coward,How are you going to climb Mount Hua,You can't even climb a rock with steps" 

The end is rewarding.The view from top of mountain is great.You'd see ruined palace of King Kasyapa.

ME!!! Finally...!

panoramic view

When climbing down we used another route.Here are some pics of it.It's another part of Sigiriya.Most of the people don't go there.But if you visit Sigiriya don't miss it. 

So after that we had lunch from a near by place and ended our journey!

On the way home..

SO WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT MY JOURNEY ?