SRI LANKA Sigiriya Rock

Sigiriya rock is Sri Lanka's main heritage site. 

And it was certainly impressive. 

They say the rock formation was used in the late 400 AD as a fortress and palace city by King Kassapa complete with royal gardens at the summit. Also used as a Buddhist monastery filled with statues and paintings until it was abandoned and forgotten in the 14th century. It was later rediscovered in 1898 and excavated by British explorers.

It was a hot steep climb in some places, past the boulder gardens, the water gardens, and the meditation caves. 

We made it to the base of the rock! Can you see Gage? 

Along with a 100 Japanese tourists. 

The view from the base of the rock with a huge white standing Buddha statue in the distance.

Up another flight of stairs is a open air spiral staircase that led us to a long sheltered gallery. 

Right along the rock face there are a series of paintings. No one quite knows how old they are. Some say 5th century, some say 12th. And no one knows exactly who the women in the frescos are; some say apsaras, some say a female form of the Tantric in Buddhism.   

But they were pretty in their classical realism and glowing colors.

This shady spot on the other side of the gallery was the perfect spot for a break. We had snacks, changed a diaper and Sybil fell fast asleep. The boys appreciated the break too. Especially from all the unwanted attention they were getting - people ruffling their hair, pinching their cheeks, taking their pictures. 

So Gage entertained us with his funny faces. 

It was blazing hot by the time we made it to the Lion's Paws, so Noah and I stayed in the shade with sleeping Sybil while Gage and Dave braved the final climb to the summit. 

Foundations of ancient buildings with ruins of a dagoba at the very top.

Time to head back down. 

The kids had fun choosing a souvenir at the exit. Gage chose a big wooden mask and Noah chose a painted elephant. I'm glad Noah snapped a couple pictures here. 

The trees in the parking lot were full of monkeys. Sybil was so intrigued, "Mommy look! Monkey in the trees! Eating a banana!" 

SRI LANKA: Dambulla temple caves

 

The Dambulla temple caves were my favorite. First we stopped at the Golden Temple to buy our tickets. A huge 30 meter Buddha sits atop the temple. Nice and gold and big. Can you see the birds on his fingers?

 

The hike up to the temple caves was long and sloping on the face of the rock. Steps in some places and gorgeous views with LOTS of monkeys. We kept the kids very close and Noah wisely finished his juice box and disposed of it in the monkey proof rubbish bins before beginning the trek. They were ready to pounce I tell you.

 

 

  

 

Here's the entrance to the complex at the top of the mountain.

We took off our shoes and wrapped our sarongs before entering this holy place. They say King Valagamba took refuge in these hills during a time of war around the 1st century BC. When he regained the throne, he had the interior of the caves carved into magnificent rock temples. Later Sri Lankan kings added more statues and more paintings, even gilding the entire ceilings in gold.

 

 

 

There are 5 caves containing over 150 Buddha images; reclining buddhas, seated buddhas, standing buddhas, and each one gorgeous. 

 

Lets go in.     

 

The first cave had a huge reclining Buddha, 15 meters long. Merit makers leaving offerings of rice and flowers at his feet.

 

 

Paintings of Buddha's disciples and monks on the wall. 

 

In the same cave there is also a small shrine with a statue of Vishnu for the local Hindu followers. I love the way they mix Hinduism and Buddhism so easily.   

 

 

Each cave got larger and more spectacular. The paintings and statues were simply stunning.

 

No electricity in the caves all natural light.  

 

 

The boys stayed busy trying to find all the different meditative hand positions on the statues. Or looking for the hidden statues of the Sri Lankan kings, Valagamba and Nissanka Malla. Or spotting more hindu statues, unusual but not out of place in this Buddhist cave. I was surprised by how much they liked listening to the stories of Buddha's life.

On our way out of the caves, a school group was coming in, carrying lotus flowers as an offering. I couldn't get over their bright smiles. And those girls with two braids! So darling.

 

 

 

 

Getting my Instagram shot

 

Peek a boo