Sigiriya Lion Rock is an ancient rock fortress known for its massive column of rock that reaches nearly 200 meters high. The site dates back to the reign of King Kasyapa (477-495 AD), who chose this site as his new capital. He decorated the walls with frescoes, and built an impressive palace right on top of the rock column, accessible only through the mouth of an enormous carved lion.
How long does it take to climb Sigiriya?
The vertical climb up to the top of Sigiriya Lion Rock is challenging, but not impossible, and will take you anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour (it usually takes me about 45 minutes with a few sweaty breaks). Getting back down is a little easier and should take approximately 20 minutes
When is the best time to visit Sigiriya?
Sigiriya is located in what is known as Sri Lanka’s “dry zone”, which is mostly arid and hot throughout the year. The climate in this region can be extreme from about April to August, with the temperature soaring upwards of 30 degrees Celsius. So the climb should start early morning or late afternoon. The crowds also tend to be smaller in the afternoon as many tour groups visit in the morning (before moving onto the next destination), and there’s also the additional bonus of watching the sunset once you get to the top! Just make sure you purchase your ticket before the entrance closes at 5 PM, wear sunscreen and bring a (large) bottle of water.
If you are climbing the rock in the afternoon, you may need to ensure that you have access to a flashlight (you can also use your phone’s flash function) for the walk back down. There are no lamps to light your way back down, and the ground is extremely uneven, so you need to make sure you can see where you are stepping to avoid injury.
Sigiriya was built by the fifth-century king Kashyapa I, who ruled the native Sinhalese dynasty, the Moriya. The imposing fortress was the capital of the Sinhalese kingdom until Kashyapa was defeated in A.D. 495.
It wasn’t until the fifth century AD, however, that Sigiriya Lion Rock rose briefly to supremacy in Sri Lanka, following the power struggle which succeeded the reign of Dhatusena (455-473) of Anuradhapura. King Dhatusena had two sons, Mogallana, by one of the most desired and finest of his queens, and Kassapa, by a less significant consort. Upon hearing that Mogallana had been declared heir to the throne, Kassapa rebelled, driving Mogallana into exile in India and imprisoning his father, King Dhatusena.
