Thursday, January 2, 2014

Sigiriya - scenes from around the terraced garden, Sri Lanka.


Cave dwellings of monks.

An ancient stairway.
Sigiriya (Lion Rock, Sinhala: සීගිරිය, pronounced see-gee-REE-yah Tamil: சிகிரியா) is located in the central Matale District of the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The name refers to a site of historical and archeaological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 meters high. According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle the Culavamsa the site was selected by King Kasyapa (477 – 495 CE) for his new capital. He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. The name of this place is derived from this structure —Sīhāgiri, the Lion Rock. The capital and the royal palace were abandoned after the king's death. It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century.[1]
Sigiriya today is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. It is one of the best preserved examples of ancient urban planning.[2] It is the most visited historic site in Sri Lanka.[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigiriya

To see a Youtube presentation click on the web-link below:-

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Sights inside the 'Hotel Sigiriya', Sigiriya, Sri Lanka.

A village style tree-house.

A corridor in the 'Hotel Sigiriya'

Flower petals floating in a stone basin.

A 'wattle and daub' mud hut.

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Inside 'Hotel Sigiriya', Sigiriya, Sri Lanka.

'Thalagoya' S, 'Udumbu' T, Pangolin.

'Common Mormon'- Papilio polytes.

The swimming pool.

The hotel logo.

Monday, December 30, 2013

'Hotel Sigiriya' sights, Sigiririya, Sri Lanka.

Chairs for sun-bathing by the swimming pool

A strong vine for the kids to swing on.

Tree-house with the hanging vine.

A model 'wattle-daub' mud hut.

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Sights from Hotel Sigiriya, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka.


The 'Lion rock' as seen from the area near the swimming pool in the hotel.

Climbers at the top of the rock - Zoom 400mm on my Nikon D90.

Kids in the swimming pool.