Sigiriya – Why it is No Ordinary Feat

Whispers of controversy can still be heard today resounding off the gigantic rock fortress. But even as a king, he was scared. Maybe he was not the rightful heir because of his non-royal bloodline but then he was a king’s son. Folklore has it that he had killed his father, King Dhatusena and entombed him within the walls just to become the reigning king between 477 to 495 CE. However, the rightful heir is out there and he had no other option but to flee. He is Kashyap I who fled to Sigiriya to build his capital and a complex fortress that today gave us our 8th wonder of the world!

Once lost to history, this fortress was rediscovered by Major Jonathan Forbes in 1813. Unabashedly the fortress of Sigiriya stands proudly reaching up to the sky with all its reverence. The surrounding landscape of trees rolls out like a lush green carpet. The entrance to the fortress is guarded by two majestic lion paws carved out of the very same rock. Hence Sigiriya is also called the ‘Lion Rock.’ You have to take 1200 steps to reach the top which now includes some rock-cut steps and a rest iron ladder. The higher you climb it is easy to get caught in the onslaught of the fierce wind that blows, rattling the ladder.

Once on top, the 360-degree view will make you gasp for sure. Of what remains it will make you wonder how on earth someone could not only think but literally build an empire up here. The entire city is strewn with impressive archaeological and architectural marvels including a proper hydraulic system. With the wind literally howling up here hold on to your balance as you get transported to a time when this was a bustling capital with houses, shops and whatnot. It might not be easy to imagine what it was back then but one thing is for sure this was a feat of no ordinary king. King Kashyap I was no ordinary king and neither is his Sigiriya.