Within the central province of Sri Lanka, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress stands tall and proud beckoning tourists to come and explore its wonders. Discover the story behind Sigiriya…
1. The Beginning
Let’s go back in time to 477 CE before the time of emojis, hashtags and ROFL’s. Before the city became such a tourist hotspot and luxury hotels in Sigiriya the likes of the Water Garden Sigiriya; started popping up; King Dathusena ruled the nation in all his might. He had two sons, Mogallana, the heir to the throne and Kasyapa, the king’s son by a non-royal consort. Everything was going fine until Kasyapa decided he wanted to be king, so he put together a coup and gained the throne for his own by committing one of the most brutal crimes of all time. He murdered his father. How? By entombing him in a wall-alive!
2. Expecting the inevitable return…
Kasyapa was worried. What if Mogallana comes back demanding his rightful throne, and in war too? Realising that this was inevitable, King Kasyapa built the Sigiriya Rock Fortress atop a 660 feet high gigantic rock, so that he and his army can watch over the surroundings and lie in wait, ready to face furious Mogallana and his battalions.
3. A Fortress or Pleasure Palace?
As you can see from this fresco from Sigiriya, in addition to defence, Kasyapa had other interests…Sigiriya was not just a fortress, it was a palace built to cater to King Kasyapa’s pleasures. He built beautiful landscaped gardens (some of the oldest in the world), a dazzling Mirror Wall for his guests to write poetry on, and of course these beautiful frescoes of women. Who they are is a mystery that baffles archaeologists even today. Are they goddesses showering blessings? Women carrying offerings to the nearby Pidurutalagala Temple? Or the ones who grab Kasyapa’s amorous attentions? You decide.
4. What Goes Around Comes Back Around…
Kasyapa happy days at Sigiriya were short lived. Seeking revenge for killing their beloved father King Dathusena, and wanting to claim his right to the throne; Mogallana came back and declared war on his wayward brother. They had a bloody battle which resulted in Kasyapa’s defeat. Legend has it that being too proud to surrender; Kasyapa took his sword from his waistband, slashed his throat himself, proudly hoisted the dagger, sheathed it, and fell dead. Some call it tragedy, some call it Karma…What do you think?
Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
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