Sigiriya Lion Rock, Sri Lanka

Sigiriya Lion Rock

Sigiriya is isolated steep rock that rises to an elevation of 349 meters above mean sea level and 180m above the surrounding plain. Sigiriya is world heritage site which has listed by UNESCO on year 1982, since unique collections of many disciplines including City Planning, Landscape and Interior Architecture, Hydraulic and structural Engineering, Painting, Sculpture and Sinhala Calligraphy. Values of Sigiriya can be considered in five aspects as Archeological value, Historical value, Architectural value, Artistic value, Cultural value and Literary value. Site is one of popular tourist spot in the Sri Lanka and the world also. Sigiriya also call as Lion Rock that visitors ascend through the open paws of the Lion.   

Location: 

Sigiriya Rock(Sigiriya Lion Rock) is located in the Matale District, Central Province of Sri Lanka( Coordinates; Latitude: 7.9570⁰  Longitude: 80.7603⁰). Access of the location can be get at Inamaluwa junction(Sigiriya Junction) through Ambepussa-Kurunegala-Trincomalee highway(A6) or at Moragaswewa through Maradankadawala-Habarana-Thirukkondaiadimadu highway(A11). Distance from Inamaluwa junction to Sigiriya rock will be 8.5km approximately. Sigiriya rock has around 3-4 acres of ground at the summit and difficult to climb for human.          

 History:

Reign of King Kashyapa(Kassapa) was between 478AD- 496AD in Sigiriya [1] [2] (Mahawansa and Chulawansa). During his reign, he constructed his palace and the fortress on top of the Sigiriya rock with staircase. He collected treasures and store them in different places with well protection by deploying guards. King Kassapa began to do meritorious woks since he regretted about his past. 

The King planted gardens close to the gate of  the city and gardens with mango trees throughout the Island in every yoduna [3] (2560m). He restored Isurumuni Vihara [4] (Isurumuni Temple) as it was larger than earlier ground, bought villages for its support and granted them to it. He also renovated the Vessagiri vihara( vessagiri Temple). after constructing Vihara in the garden near Sigiriya rock and northern garden  were consecrated to the Damma Ruchika bhikku (Reverend Damma Ruchika Thero). Further, The King did various kind of meritorious works including written books, observing Sil(Buddhism:observing eight precepts), did meditation, built and consecrated Load Buddha statues.....etc.  

Sigiri Frescoes(Rock Paintings)

Apsaras( Celestial Nymphs)

                                                      

Paintings are found to be on most of western part of the rock. There are notable 21 Rock paintings of Apsaras (Celestial damsels(nymphs) Singers and Dancers). These paintings were done using true fresco or tempera techniques. In true fresco method, paintings are done upon wet plaster with colours mixed with water. Painting soaked into the plaster becoming permanently incorporated when it dries. In tempera method, the whole wall or rock surface are completely plastered  and allowed to dry. A portion is dampened overnight and wetted once again on the fallowing morning. On this wet surface the painter works with the self-same colours used in true fresco. But, University of Ceylon review is Sigiriya paintings were used true(real) fresco technique. 

 Scholars have different ideas about interpretation of frescoes. Acoording to the H.C.P. Bell,these ladies with flowers in hand were members of King Kashyap's court on their way to the Pidurangala vihara (Temple located in the vicinity). Ananda Coomaraswamy saw them as Apsaras( Heavenly Maidens) floating on clouds. V.A. Smith considered them to be noble ladies and their maids on their way to vihara to make offerings. E.B. Havell says the frescoes appeared as representation of a dream of a royal lady's visit to the Thusita (Thavathimsa) heaven(According Buddhist Cosmology). Benjamin Rowland thought that Celestial parade of opulent females advancing singly and in pairs to make floral offering. Prof. Pranavithan opined that the blue-coloured damsels symbolised Clouds(meghalata) and the golden-coloured damsels symbolised Lightnings (vijjulata).                      

1. Mahawansa Sinhala Edition by Most Venerable Hikkaduwe Sumangala Thero, Pandit Mr. Batuwanthudawa, Mr. D.H.S. Aberathne  and Pandit Dr, Nandadeva Wijesekara 

2. Chulavamsa Part 1: translated by Wilhelm Geiger 

3. Sri Lankan Ancient Unit of Length  

4, Issarasamana Vihara( Ancient name of Isurumuniya Temple)