Sigiriya

 

Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress and palace ruin situated in the central matale district of sir Lanka, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs and other structures. A popular tourist destination, sigiriya is also renowned for its ancient paintings which are reminiscent of the Ajanta caves of India. It is one of the seven world heritage site of Sri Lanka

 

sigiriya may have been inhabited through prehistoric times. It was used as a rock shelter mountain monastery from about the 5th century BC, with caves prepared and donated by devotees to the Buddhist sangha. According to the chronicles as mahavamsa the entire complex was built by king kashyapa, and after the king death, it was used as a Buddhist monastery until 14th century.

 

  

The sigiri inscriptions were deciphered by the archaeologist senarath paranavitharana in his renowned two-volume work, published by Cambridge, sigiri graffiti and also story of sigiriya. It is our duty to protect such valuable place of worship.