S I G I R I Y A
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SIGIRIYA,
This 5th century inspiring Rock Fortress in the Sky comprising a Fresco Gallery, a Lion Stairway, Water Gardens, Graffiti and the Rock Palace on its summit? And built by the cruel parricide King Kasyapa who ruled there for 18 years until he, fearing an invasion by his brother Mogallana and believing to be alone in battle, slew himself and which rock
There are only 20 of the 500 Sigiriya murals (frescoes) that could now be identified - time and vandalism having wiped out the rest. And here on the Rock were the much talked of two types of frescoes - "the dark ones and the fair ones" - painted in shades of brown, amber, ochre, red, rose with flowers on their hair and water lilies in their hands.,, the 'dark ones' referred to as the ' Golden Ones' represented the Queens of Kasyapa and by others that they were the women of his harem. That was an-other point on which various views have been expressed it was a picture gallery meant to satisfy the sensual eye of the king who loved all that was beautiful and leading a lonely life, beguiled his loneliness with song- and dance - captured by the artists.
front paws of the Lion and between these paws are steps leading to the roofless summit of the Rock, covering an area of three and a half acres and from which height you get a breathtaking and beautiful view of the surrounding area.
A pool for collecting rain water, asanas (seats), a cobra hooded cave, and a drip ledge constructed in the 3rd century to prevent water from flowing into the cave and a stupa were also some others that attracted my attention and which bore evidence of the theory it was the abode of monks before Kasyapa created his residence there,
Nothing in Sri Lanka captures the imagination more than a 200 meter lump of granite that rises starkly above the flat central plains about three and a half hours' drive from Colombo.
Sigiriya, astonishing frescos of bare-breasted maidens painted 15 centuries ago, a wall covered in graffiti that is more than 1,000 years old and, to top it all, Asia's oldest surviving landscape garden.
Dark deeds led to the establishment of Sigiriya as the center of the ancient Sinhalese Kingdom for a period of 18 years in the late 5th Century. The reign of King Dhatusena came to an abrupt end in 477 A.D. when his throne was seized by Kasyapa, his son by a wife of unequal birth. Kasyapa's action was prompted by the fear that his younger half-brother Mogallan, who was born of the anointed queen, would take over the throne. Kasyapa was convinced that his father was hiding a cache of treasure from him, and demanded that the King reveal where this wealth was hidden. Dhatusena took the young usurper to the bund of the Kalawewa, the greatest of his irrigation works, below which lived a venerable monk who had been his teacher and companion of many years. There, the old King pointed, was the sum of all his wealth. In a fit of pique, Kasyapa ordered the old man to be walled up alive and naked in his own tomb. Meanwhile, Mogallan survived an assassination attempt by his brother and fled to India to raise an army. Paranoia, arrogance and delusions of divinity drove Kasyapa to leave the traditional Sinhalese capital of Anuradhapura and construct his palace on the peak of Sigiriya Rock, a perfect lookout which could be easily defended; a huge lion was carved out of the rock.
Seven years after ascending the throne, he moved into his new home.
Visitors to the palace entered via a stone stairway that took them into the lion's mouth and through its throat -- hence Sigiriya's alternative name, "Lion Rock." Only the lion's massive paws remain today, but they indicate how gigantic the rest of the carving must have been. A new stairway has been attached to the side of the rock to allow access to the summit, enabling visitors to stroll around the ruins of the palace and gasp at the panoramic views. Two water tanks, used for bathing and drinking, still fill with rain water, but in Kasyapa's day a sophisticated pumping system was used to fill the tanks from a lake at the foot of the rock.
Sigiriya is approached from the west over a moat that encloses an elaborate water garden that runs up to the foot of the rock. A stone stairway takes visitors past caves and hollows, where early Buddhist monks lived and worshipped, to a gallery half way up the rock which is enclosed by a three-meter high wall. Large sections of the so-called Mirror Wall are still intact, and is here that graffiti artists have inscribed their neat messages, many of them more than ten centuries old and some, alas, partially obscured by the scrawled initials of modern egoists. Most of the ancient graffiti refers to the Sigiriya Maidens, who are to be found up a spiral staircase about 14 meters above the Mirror Wall gallery in a natural pocket in the rock which has been protected for centuries from the rain by an overhang. Nobody knows who painted these amazing frescoes, but the Maidens testify to a highly advanced Sinhalese civilization at a time when Europe was in the Dark Ages.
It is not known whether Kasyapa knew of the existence of the beauties hidden just below his eyrie, but what is known is that the King came to a sticky end, perhaps deservedly. In 495, his brother Mogallan at last returned from India with an army of combined Chola and Sinhalese troops behind him and Kasyapa descended from his impregnable stronghold to meet him in battle. At a crucial stage in the battle, the King's elephant balked at a hidden swamp before him and momentarily turned aside, making his troops believe he was retreating. His army broke in confusion, leaving Kasyapa defenseless. Flamboyant to the last, he drew his dagger, slashed his own throat, raised the blade high in the air and sheathed it again before falling down dead.
Sigiriya's halcyon days ended with Kasyapa's death. But the grandeur of this astonishing rock lives on.
Hotel Sigiriya is located under the shadow of UNESCO declared world-heritage site, the Lion Rock. The hotel is 162 km from the Bandaranaike International Airport and 169 km away from the capital city of Colombo.
Hotel Sigiriya offers holiday makers; 45 Superior rooms with A/C, LCD Flat TV with built in DVD player, Mini Bar, Terrace, Hot/Cold Water, Telephone, Piped Music, Hair Dryer & Tea/ Coffee maker
34 standard rooms with A/C, Terrace, Hot/ Cold Water, Telephone, Piped Music, Hair Dryer, Tea/ Coffee maker
Its main restaurant serves Sri Lankan and international cuisine in buffet, d'hote & a la carte styles while rooms service is available from 6.00 a.m to 11.00 p.m. Hotel Sigiriya offers a pool bar, a lounge bar and a jungle bar, which is operated on special occasions. Adults and children are catered to with outdoor fresh water swimming pools.
Located in Sigiriya, within the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka,
153 km from the Colombo International Airport. 169 km from Colombo.
5 km from the Sigiriya Rock Fortress
A newest and most ambitious project located within 5km of the Ǝth Wonder of the World'-Sigiriya- is the creation of a truly 'Lifestyle Hotel'. With the challenge of introducing a wetland system on reclaimed agricultural lands within the Dry Zone, provides the unique backdrop for this exciting new property.
Drawing from the local, rural traditions, the buildings grow not out, but into the landscape.'The 'habitats' naturalized by local flora and fauna will create the timelessness of a healthy ecosystem providing the setting for peace and tranquility. With the first man-made lakes since King Parakramabahu' era in the 11th Century, this exciting feature allows for the first time in Sri Lanka dwellings to be built over water.
A section of land has been used to re-grow paddy using traditional harvesting methods, providing a new and exciting feature, dwellings within the paddy field, yet another first in Sri Lanka! The transformation of the land into patches of forested areas will create the feeling of ultimate privacy and will feature the Forest dwellings, the largest of the rooms. A haven for those who wish to escape from the norms of everyday life and for those nature lovers who wish to indulge in their hobbies whilst pampering themselves in luxurious comfort. With dwellings tastefully designed boasting space as its prime characteristic of luxury. Dine in the privacy of your dwelling or 'under the stars' or simply relax and pamper yourself at the Island Spa offering a range of treatments to choose from.
Whether it is the nature lover in you or the task of 'finding yourself again' treat yourself to an experience.
Accommodation
25 spacious dwellings on four habitats.
10 within the forest, 6 over the paddy field, 6 over marsh lands and 3 in water
Guest Services
Teak floors, individualized air conditioning, telephone and IDD facility, email & internet access, mini bar, tea & coffee making facilities, large scenic private balcony or terrace, safety locker, cable TV with BOSE entertainment system, In –room dining, shower and bath, private pool / plunge pool in certain dwellings, slippers and sarongs.
Sigiriya Village – Tucked within the Cultural Triangle is a beautiful hotel situated against the backdrop of the inspiring Sigiriya Rock.
The hotel is spread over a large area of 26 acres - with chalet style accommodation that blends unobtrusively with the natural environment. Vast gardens and lotus pools are everywhere – a natural antidote to an exhausting day spent sight-seeing.
Sigiriya Village has 120 rooms – each an individual cottage . The cottages are arranged in six clusters, with a unique Sri Lankan theme and vibrant interiors.
The cottages are equipped with modern amenities and are designed in a manner to ensure optimum comfort.
Standard Cottages
This is the latest venture whereby all cottages are airconditioned namely Ganga Addara & Avurudhu. These cottages are with attached toilets, hot and cold water, and private verandas.
The superior cottages are found in The King Fisher,The Temple and Paddy Field clusters.
They come equipped with all the mod-cons such as satellite TV and mini-bar. In addition, the rooms have hot and cold water, a separate dining area, as well as a private veranda.
Deluxe Cottages
The deluxe cottages located in the Kings Arbour are similar to a suite. The rooms are designed in a manner that is reminiscent of royal living, with king sized beds, bath tubs with hot and cold water, satellite TV and mini-bar, a pond and a private courtyard.
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Facilities :
Ceiling fans
Cricket ground
All air-conditioned chalets
Tennis court
Telephone
Badminton court
Piped music
Soft Ball
Freshwater Pool
Attached toilets
Children’s pool
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Private verandas
Mini golf course
Hot and Cold Water
Ayurvedic health centre
Organic Farm
Village Tour
Hikes & Trekking
Bicycle tours
Bird-watching
Elephant Rides
Jeep Safaris
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