The Story of Sigiriya

The story of Sigiriya unfolds over 1500 years ago, when Kasyapa, a troubled but visionary king, is accused of murdering his father by plastering him up in a wall. Overcome by guilt, he abandons his capital and flees deep in the forests of Sri Lanka. There, in an area dominated by a menacing black rock, 600 feet high, he builds himself a new capital. He transforms the once sinister-looking rock to appear like a huge bedazzling white cloud and surrounds it with lush gardens, ponds, palaces, and pavilions.

Around its circumference of the rock, he paints a spectacular multi-colored tapestry depicting celestial nymphs–the Sigiriya Frescoes. Halfway up this sheer rock, he constructs a gatehouse in the form of a sphinx-like lion giving his lair its name, Sigiriya–Lion Mountain. Atop this gigantic rock, he builds himself a gleaming white palace of unsurpassed beauty. There, hidden from view, he lives in splendid isolation tormented by guilt and fear. Finally betrayed, he commits suicide. His magnificent city is quickly abandoned and forgotten. There it lies hidden for over a thousand years until rediscovered by an adventurous young British army officer while on an elephant hunt.

Part 2 of the book contains an extensive Site Guide. In it are described the ruins of Sigiriya today with vivid and never before seen photographs of the site.

For the first time, here is a beautifully illustrated and informative book about Sigiriya and the king who built it.