Pidurangala monastery, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka.

Sign post directing to Pidurangala.

Sigiriya rock seen from 'Pidurangala Monastery premises.

Entrance to the cave temple.

Ruins of the old monastery.

A couple of kilo

'A couple of kilometres north of Sigiriya, another large rock outcrop is home to the Pidurangala Royal Cave Temple. According to tradition, the monastery here dates from the arrival of Kassapa, when the monks who were then living at Sigiriya were relocated to make room for the king’s palace; Kassapa constructed new dwellings and a temple here to recompense them. It’s a pleasant short bike or tuktuk ride to the foot of Pidurangala rock: head down the road north of Sigiriya and continue for about 750m until you reach a modern white temple, the Pidurangala Sigiri Rajamaha Viharaya (about 100m further on along this road on the left you’ll also find the interesting remains of some old monastic buildings, including the ruins of a sizeable brick dagoba). Steps lead steeply up the hillside behind the Pidurangala Viharaya to a terrace just below the summit of the rock (a stiff 15min climb), where you’ll find the Royal Cave Temple itself, although despite the rather grand name there’s not much to see apart from a long reclining Buddha under a large rock overhang, its upper half restored in brick. The statue is accompanied by figures of Vishnu and Saman and decorated with very faded murals'.

http://www.roughguides.com/destinations/asia/sri-lanka/cultural-triangle/sigiriya-around/pidurangala-royal-cave-temple/

Sigiriya, parts of the terraced garden, Sri Lanka.

The plan of the terraced garden below the rock.

A gateway using the natural contour of large rocks.

A stone stairway.

Steps cut on rocks.

Sigiriya is an archelological site in North Central Sri Lanka. It contains the ruins of an ancient palace complex, built during the regin of King Kasyapa (477AD – 495 AD). It is one of the 7 world heritage sites in Sri Lanka and is one of it’s most popular tourist destinations. The Sigiriya site consistes of a 180m tall granite rock, whose sides are so steep that at some points the top overhangs the base. At the top of the site there is a palace complex. The ruines of various chambers, stairways and pools can be seen at the top. There is a stone stairway leading from the base to the top of the mountain. About half way to the top, there is a pair giant pair of lions paws which is infact the ruind of a huge head of a lion whose open mouth served as the entrance to the royal palace. Surrounding the palace complex are the ruins of a garden complex consisting of two moats, various pools. http://amazinglanka.com/wp/sigiriya/

Click on the web-link below:-

http://wikitravel.org/en/Sigiriya

My photos:-

http://youtu.be/4AgiKN4HEGg

Sights inside 'Hotel Sigiriya', Sri Lanka.

Flower petals in a stone basin.

A corridor.

Inside the 'Hotel Sigiriya', Sigiriya, Sri Lanka.

Sleeping accomodation.

An old 'Thirukkaley' S, 'Thirukkal' T minus the bull used to draw the cart.

The foot-step for the driver to get in.

The seating arrangement.

'Hotel Sigiriya' environs, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka.

A 'wire-shoot' from the top of Sigiriya rock to the ground below.

A tree house to escape from elephants.

A wood-carvers shop.

Pictures taken on a walk just outside the 'Hotel Sigiriya'.

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

Sigiriya rock seen from the lounge of the 'Hotel Sigiriya'.

Early morning climbers on the top of the 'Lion rock' the former Palace of King Kashyappa 6th Century AD.

A tre-house near the swimming pool in the hotel.

A 'Thalagoya' S, 'Udumbu' T, 'Pangolin' on the lawn of the hotel.