Places to Visit in Sigiriya

Here is the lowdown on places you must visit on your trip to Sigiriya.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress: Also called the Lion Rock, it is an ancient fortress made out of rock. The rock is roughly 660 feet high. There is immense archaeological and historical significance associated with this rock. This site was selected by Kashyapa as the capital of his kingdom. He erected his palace on the top of this particular rock and built a gateway which bears semblance to a lion. The name, Lion Rock, is derived from the structure of the gateway.

Pidurangala Rock: It is a massive rock structure with a unique history attached to it. On a not so humid day when the people are few, you can climb the rock within 20 minutes or so. Like Sigiriya Rock Fortress, it was formed due to volcanic activities. Historically, Kashyapa moved the monks who were residing in Sigiriya to a larger and more plush monastery and temple in Pidurangala. It should take you between 20 minutes to 1 hour to reach the top of the rock.

Sigiriya Museum: Located just next to Sigiriya Rock Fortress, this is one of the most beautiful Sigiriya tourist attractions. You’ll gain an insight into the history and culture of Sigiriya, and by that extension Sri Lanka. The museum is home to several galleries and exhibition areas. Photography is not permitted inside. The museum takes you through the prehistoric period and the Golden Age of Sigiriya.

Minneriya National Park: It is a national park that earned the status of a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1938. The area was also declared as a protected site for the preservation of the famous Minneriya tank housed within that was built by Mahasen in the third century. The park serves as a feeding ground for elephants who live in the forests of Trincomalee, Matale and Polonnaruwa. The park is located roughly 180 km away from Colombo. It receives negligible rainfall, so rest assured rain will not derail your Sigiriya sightseeing plans. You will traverse high-canopy and low-canopy forests, scrublands, wetlands and grasslands in the park. It is home to several species of flora and fauna.

Dambulla Temple: Also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, it is the largest temple in Sri Lanka and one of the best-preserved temples in South India. There are over 80 caves surrounding it. It is situated 148 km away from Colombo, as per the Sigiriya map. The prominent attractions in the temple include the cave paintings that depict the life of Gautam Buddha. There are as many as 153 statues of Buddha inside Dambulla temple.

Royal Gardens: Sigiriya Rock Fortress is dotted with beautiful landscaped gardens. These gardens once housed several Buddhist shrines. Cut to the present, the shrines are in ruins. But that doesn’t stop travelers from around the world to visit the gardens. The site is home to numerous bathing pools. A flight of steps lead you to the Royal Gardens.