Sigiriya (The Lion Rock)

Matale

Overview

Sigiriya or Sinhagiri (Lion Rock, pronounced see-gi-ri-yə) is an ancient rock fortress located in the northern Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, of Sri Lanka. It is a historical and archaeological site dominated by a massive column of granite rock approximately 180 m (590 ft) high.[2] According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle the Cūḷavaṃsa, this area was a large forest. After storms and landslides, it became a hill and was selected by King Kashyapa (AD 477–495) for his new capital. He built his palace on this rock and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock, he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. The name of this place is derived from this structure; Sīnhāgiri, the Lion Rock (an etymology similar to Sinhapura, the Sanskrit name of Singapore, the Lion City). Source- Wikipedia