Difference between revisions of "Sigiriya" - New World Encyclopedia

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===Frescos===
 
===Frescos===
John Still in 1907 had observed that;
+
The paintings originally covered most of the western face of the rock, an area 140 meters long and 40 meters high. Some of the graffiti refers to 500 ladies in those paintings. Many of them have been destroyed, cleaned off the Palace once more became a Monastery so that they would not disturb meditation.
"The whole face of the hill appears to have been a gigantic picture gallery... the largest picture in the world perhaps."
 
  
The paintings would have covered most of the western face of the rock, covering an area 140 meters long and 40 meters high.
+
The paintings have been classified as from the [[Anuradhapura]] period, but with a unique painting style. The line and application style of the paintings differ from the Anuradhapura paintings. The lines are painted in a form which enhances the sense of fullness of figures. The paint has been applied in sweeping action strokes using more pressure on one side giving the effect of a deeper color tone towards the edge. Other paintings of the Anuradhapura period contain similar painting techniques. But they lack the sketchy nature of the Sigiriya drawings, as the painting of the Anuradhapura period uses a technique of drawing distinct lines.
There are references in the graffiti to 500 ladies in these paintings. However, many more are lost forever, having been wiped out when the Palace once more became a Monastery so that they would not disturb meditation.
 
 
 
Classified as in the [[Anuradhapura]] period but the painting style technique used to paint is considered unique. The line and application style of the paintings differ from the Anuradhapura paintings. The lines are painted in a form which enhances the sense of volumeness of figures. The paint has been applied in sweeping action strokes using more pressure on one side giving the effect of a deeper colour tone towards the edge. Other paintings of the Anuradhapura period contains similar approaches to painting but they do not have the sketchy nature of the sigiriya lines as the painting of the Anuradhapura period has a distinct line which was the artists boundary which does not resemble that of the Sigiriya style.
 
 
 
* Sigiriya is used as the location of many of the events in the science-fiction novel [[The Fountains of Paradise]] by [[Arthur C. Clarke]], although Clarke changed the name to Yakkagala in the book.
 
  
 
==Image gallery==
 
==Image gallery==

Revision as of 21:20, 7 September 2008

Ancient City of Sigiriya*
UNESCO World Heritage Site

Sigiriya Rock from the main public entrance
State Party Flag of Sri Lanka Sri Lanka
Type Cultural
Criteria ii, iii, iv
Reference 202
Region** Asia-Pacific
Inscription history
Inscription 1982  (6th Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List.
** Region as classified by UNESCO.

Sigiriya (Lion's rock) is an ancient rock fortress and ruins of a castle situated in central Matale District of Sri Lanka. The site has tremendous cultural and historical significance, gaining acclaim especially for the ancient paintings (frescos) strikingly similar to the paintings in Ajanta Caves of India. Built during the reign of King Kasyapa (477 – 495 C.E.), Sigriya numbers among the seven World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka.[1][2] [3]

History

Sigiriya may have been inhabited through prehistoric times. It has been used as a rock-shelter mountain monastery from about the fifth century B.C.E., with caves prepared and donated by devotees to the Buddhist Sangha. Kashyapa built the garden and palace. Following Kasyapa's death, the site again became a monastery complex until fourteenth century, when abandoned. British explorer John Still discovered the ruins in 1907. Archeologist Senarath Paranavithana deciphered the Sigiri inscriptions, publishing an authoritative two volume work, "Sigiri Graffiti." He also wrote the popular book "Story of Sigiriya".[4]

The Mahavansa, the ancient historical record of Sri Lanka, describes King Kasyapa as the son of King Dhatusena. Kasyapa murdered his father by walling him alive and then usurping the throne which rightfully belonged to his brother Mogallana, Dhatusena's son by the true queen. Mogallana fled to India to escape being assassinated by Kasyapa but vowed revenge. In India he raised an army with the intention of returning and retaking his rightful throne of Sri Lanka. Knowing the inevitable return of Mogallana, Kasyapa built his palace on the summit of Sigiriya as a fortress and pleasure palace. Mogallana finally arrived and declared war.

During the battle, Kasyapa's armies abandoned him and he committed suicide by falling on his sword. Chronicles and lore say that Kasyapa's battle-elephant changed direction to get a better fighting position, but the army misinterpreted it as the King fleeing. Thereafter the army abandoned the king altogether. Moggallana returned the capital to Anuradapura and turned Sigiriya into a monastery complex.

Alternative stories have King Dhatusena as the primary builder of Sigiriya, with Kasyapa finishing the work in honor of his father. Still other stories have Kasyapa as a playboy king, with Sigiriya a pleasure palace. Kasyapa's fate has been difficult to ascertain. In one version a concubine assassinates him with poison administered. In another, he cuts his own throat when nearly captured in his final battle.[5] The actual use of Sigiriya also leaves archaeologists perplexed. The site may have been created by a Buddhist community, with no military function at all. It may have been important in the competition between the Mahayana and Theravada Buddhist traditions in ancient Sri Lanka

Archaeological remains and features

File:IMG 3564.jpg
Aerial View

Sigiriya rock, the hardened magma plug from an extinct and long-eroded volcano, stands high above the surrounding plain visible for miles in all directions. The rock rests on a steep mound that rises abruptly from the flat plain surrounding it, rising 370 meters of sheer wall on all sides, in many places overhanging the base. Elliptical in plan, the hill has a flat top that slopes gradually along the long axis of the ellipse.[6]

Sigiriya consists of an ancient castle built by King Kasyapa during the fifth century C.E.. The Sigiriya site has the remains of an upper palace situated on the flat top of the rock, a mid-level terrace that includes the Lion Gate and the mirror wall with its frescoes, the lower palace that clings to the slopes below the rock, and the moats, walls and gardens that extend for some hundreds of metres out from the base of the rock. The site most likely served as both a palace and fortress. Well enough preserved, Sigiriya provides the visitor with a stunning insight into the ingenuity and creativity of its builders.

The upper palace on the top of the rock includes cisterns cut into the rock that still retain water. The moats and walls that surround the lower palace have retained much of their original exquisite beautiful.[7]

Site plan

The Sigiriya Rock seen from the Gardens

Archaeologists consider Sigiriya one of the most important urban sites of the first millennium, revealing an elaborate and imaginative city plan. The planning had combined concepts of symmetry and asymmetry to intentionally interlock the geometrical plan and the natural form of the surroundings. On the west side of the rock, a symmetrically planned park for the royals lies. Some of the water retaining structures, including sophisticated subsurface hydraulic systems, still function.

The south side reveals a man made reservoir of the type used extensively in dry zones of ancient Sri Lanka. Five gates mark entrances to the city, the more elaborate western gate may have been reserved for royalty.[8] [9] [10]

The Gardens

The landscape of the Sigiriya city, considered one of the most important aspects of the site, has one of the oldest landscaped gardens of the world. The gardens take three distinct forms; water, cave and stone. The water gardens, created according to a sophisticated design, site in the western side. The water gardens contained pools of various depths, with streams flowing over slabs of marble. Underground hydraulic systems provide water into the fountains which still operate. Other water gardens use water courses to cool the pavilions. Stone gardens integrate pathways with pavilions and ponds.

The Mirror Wall

The Mirror Wall & Spiral Stairs leading to the Frescos
File:Sigiriya ladies.jpg
Part of the Frescos

Originally the wall had been so well polished that the king could see himself while walking alongside it. Made of a kind of porcelain, the mirror wall now contains verses scribbled by visitors to the rock. Well preserved, it has verses dating from the eighth century. People from all walks of life wrote on the mirror wall, reflecting on subjects like love, irony, and every day experiences. Writing on the mirror wall has been prohibited by the Sri Lanka government.

Frescos

The paintings originally covered most of the western face of the rock, an area 140 meters long and 40 meters high. Some of the graffiti refers to 500 ladies in those paintings. Many of them have been destroyed, cleaned off the Palace once more became a Monastery so that they would not disturb meditation.

The paintings have been classified as from the Anuradhapura period, but with a unique painting style. The line and application style of the paintings differ from the Anuradhapura paintings. The lines are painted in a form which enhances the sense of fullness of figures. The paint has been applied in sweeping action strokes using more pressure on one side giving the effect of a deeper color tone towards the edge. Other paintings of the Anuradhapura period contain similar painting techniques. But they lack the sketchy nature of the Sigiriya drawings, as the painting of the Anuradhapura period uses a technique of drawing distinct lines.

Image gallery

Outer Gardens and Moat

The complex is surrounded by an extensive set of walls and man made pools.

Gardens

Lower Palace

Mirror Wall and Lion Gate


Top of the Rock

See also

Notes

  1. UNESCO page - Ancient City of Sigiriya (html). UNESCO.org. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
  2. Exploring Sigiriya Rock. AsiaExplorers.com. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
  3. World Heritage Tour page - Sigiriya (html). World Heritage Tour. Retrieved 2008-01-18.
  4. The Story of Sigiriya: WWW Virtual Library Sri Lanka. Retrieved September 7, 2008.
  5. The Sigiriya Story (html). Asian Tribune. Retrieved 2006-11-24.
  6. Encyclopædia Britannica Article about Sigiriya (html). Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 2008-01-18.
  7. Sri Lanka: Slip Into Antiquity. The Epoch Times. Retrieved 2005-05-04.
  8. Sigiriya - The fortress in the sky (html). Sunday Observer. Retrieved 2004-10-10.
  9. Sigiriya (html). BuddhaNet. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  10. Sigiriya: the most spectacular site in South Asia (html). Sunday Observer. Retrieved 2006-08-03.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Bandaranayake, Senake. 1999. Sigiriya: city, palace, and royal gardens. Colombo: Central Cultural Fund, Ministry of Cultural Affairs. ISBN 9789556131116.
  • Bopearachchi, Osmund. 2006. The pleasure gardens of Sigiriya: a new approach. Colombo: Godage Book Emporium. ISBN 9789552096419.
  • De Silva, R. H. 2004. Archaeological guide to Sigiriya. Colombo: Bibliotheque (Pvt.) Ltd. ISBN 9789558655023.
  • De Silva, R. H. 1971. Sigiriya. [Colombo]: Dept. of Archaeology. OCLC 572596.
  • De Silva, R. H. 2002. Sigiriya and its significance: a Mahayana-Theravada Buddhist monastery. Nawala: Bibliotheque. ISBN 9789558655016.
  • Lokubaṇḍāra, Vi. Ja. Mu, and Patrick Ratnayake. 2007. The mystique of Sīgiriya: whispers of the mirror wall. Colombo: Godage International Publishers. ISBN 9789553006103.
  • Murphy, Richard. 1989. The mirror wall. Winston-Salem, N.C. USA: Wake Forest University Press. ISBN 9780916390365.
  • Paranavitana, Senarat. 1972. Ānanda-shtavira. OCLC 164946751.

External links

Coordinates: 7°57′25″N 80°45′35″E / 7.95694, 80.75972

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