Historic cities of Sri Lanka- SIGIRIYA- Revisit 2013

[Nathaniel]

No visit to Sri Lanka will be complete without a visit to the ancient kingdoms which dates back to BC 2000. Sigiriya is well known as the "Lion Rock" and once a upon a time was the capital of the island., and credit or infamy goes to King Kassapa who reigned between AD 477-495. He was a brave,brilliant and a murderous man who killed his father by imprisoning him inside a small room and then "walling" it from outside- so he was entombed "alive". After murdering his father Kassapa took to the rock to build a fortress- the famous Sigiriya- to be safe from his half brother Moggallana who had fled to India to recruit an army to return and fight Kassapa.

I did not climb right to the top of the rock as it was impossible for me with my present state of health. So I climbed up as far as the famous frescoes and then gave my Canon compact, set on Auto to my "helper" (one can easily get a lot of "helpers" around the rock- for a fee of course- to climb right to the top and take some pics. I did do some post processing to adjust,remove unwanted things. I trust the members will find these pics of some interest.

(i) The Lion Rock- Sigiriya




(ii) The rear of the rock




(iii) The Lion's paws entrance- in it's hey day stood a fully grown large lion but today only it's paws remain.




(iv) The famous frescoes which is protected by the world heritage organisation. the colours and images still remain intact.

(a)




(b)

[tesarver]

Re: Historic cities of Sri Lanka- SIGIRIYA- Revisit 2013

Nice set of images Nat. Thanks for
Sharing

Tom

[Nathaniel]

Re: Historic cities of Sri Lanka- SIGIRIYA- Revisit 2013

(c) Frescoes (con'td)



(v) The king's pool at the top of Sigiriya




(vi) View from the top- at the surrounding landscape.

[Muscat]

Re: Historic cities of Sri Lanka- SIGIRIYA- Revisit 2013

Very impressive place Nat, thanks for sharing and the info.

[Nathaniel]

Re: Historic cities of Sri Lanka- SIGIRIYA- Revisit 2013

Thanks Tom and Ian for taking a look. You may one day decide to visit the island and these images/sites are somethings you should try and see. Please note that the frescoes are now protected by fine wire meshes and therefore somewhat difficult to photograph- use the same techniques you use when photographing wild animals behind bars in zoos- lens/lenshood very close to the wire mesh. Pics (v) & (vi) were taken by my "helper" after I set the controls on my Canon compact G7

[Deva32]

Re: Historic cities of Sri Lanka- SIGIRIYA- Revisit 2013

You certainly packed a lot in to your trip, Nat.
Fascinating shots and thanks for sharing.

Ian

[Nathaniel]

Re: Historic cities of Sri Lanka- SIGIRIYA- Revisit 2013

Thanks Ian. 14 days is the most I could "stand" in the heat and humidity in Sri Lanka. I am of course paying a price for my rushing around- helped by friends and relatives- in form of aches and pains.