Cultrural Triangle - Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa

Sigiriya, known as the “Fortress in the Sky” was built into a city complex about 500AD when the king moved from Anuradhapura.  It is another UNSECO World Heritage site and a “must see” for every visitor to Sri Lanka.

It took us about an hour to climb to the top.

Sri Lanka was ruled from Sigiriya in 500AD – the top is 200 meters above the surrounding plains

In a cave halfway up the mountain, a few 1500 year old frescos (pigment applied directly to wet plaster) of graceful female figures remain, part of what was once the largest gallery in the world

Only royal women were permitted to expose their breasts

The claws of the original lion’s mouth which led up to the royal palace

Royal pool atop the mountain

 

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Polonnaruwa, the second Kingdom of Sri Lanka (after Anuradhapura), had its Golden Age in the 12th century AD, an era where trade and agriculture was at its peak.

We arrived in the scorching hot dry season. The 1000 year old irrigation systems are still functioning to supply the water for rice cultivation throughout the year.

All that remains of the royal palace at Polonnaruwa

This was the King’s audience hall

Elephant carved into the outer wall of the hall

Unique circular stone shrine, possibly built to hold the tooth relic of the Buddha

The pillars once supported a multi-storey building

Erected by the King’s Javanese mercenary body guard

Possibly the King who was responsible for the expansion of Polonnaruwa

The only female guards on a balustrade found

A magnificent moon stone with swans, elephants and cows at the base of these steps

Brick stupa holds precious relics

Sitting Buddha ...

… and reclining Buddha both carved from the same rock

Of the 8 recorded lotus pools, only 1 has been discovered