THE SIGIRIYA SAGA – THE AFTERMATH – by Bernard VanCuylenburg A poet, writing in the glory days of the Moghul empire in India referred to the Taj Mahal as “..a teardrop on the face of India…” I would go a step further and say that Sigiriya is more than a teardrop. Long after the tears have been shed, it remains a lingering heartache in the psyche and spirit of Sri Lanka and an archaeological treasure where the full gamut of human emotions – anger, hatred, revenge, greed, murder, and lust for power, have been played out to the maximum. The events that unfolded on that fateful day over 1600 years ago still resonate today, which is why Sigiriya is perhaps the most visited historic site in the island. The protagonists in this drama, King Dhatusena, Prince Kasyappa, Prince Moggallana, and the commander of the army Migara ,who was King Dhatusena’s son-in-law are names ...
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THE SECRET OF THE SANDS – by Bernard VanCuylenburg Epilogue. Pursuant to the articles which I wrote last year, “An Odyssey – A Search for Heritage, parts 1 and 2 “) following a foray into the cornucopia of ruins buried in deep jungle well off the beaten track, I embarked on a similar venture in March this year. I am passionately moved by the treasure trove of what could be the best in ancient Sinhala civilization, possibly the life force of Sinhala culture which remains buried in the sands still awaiting the archaeologists spade, and I wish to share my experience with a wider circle of lovers of history. Parting the veil of time, an unknown sculptor, architect, engineer, master craftsman, even a poet, reached out to me and held my hand leading me across the centuries in my quest. I read somewhere that “Quotations are thefts of other peoples wisdom.” ...
Apr 10, 2024
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Articles, Bernard VanCuylenburg
Tagged ancient ruins, ancient Sinhala civilization, ancient Sri Lankan architecture, archaeological sites in Sri Lanka, Bernard VanCuylenburg, Buduruwayaya, Cultural heritage, Degaldoruwa Temple, Dr. Senerat Paranavitana, Embekka Dewalaya, Historical sites in Sri Lanka, Kimbulagala, King Dutugemunu, King Kasyappa, Lankathilaka Vihara, Mapagala, Panduwasnuwara, Ridi Vihara, SIGIRIYA, Sri Lankan archaeology, Sri Lankan folklore, Sri Lankan giants, Sri Lankan history, Sri Lankan landmarks, THE SECRET OF THE SANDS, Tourism in Sri Lanka, treasure hunting in Sri Lanka
Understanding the Sigiri Hinterland to better understand Sigiriya – by Stefan D’silva ...
Discovering Sigiriya: Jonathan Forbes’ Enterprise-by Michael Roberts Source:Thuppahis Avishka Mario Senewiratne, whose chosen title is “Jonathan Forbes and the Discovery of Sigiriya,” where it was presented in The Ceylankan, vol 26/3, August 2023 “Sigiri is the only example in Ceylon of those solitary activities, which form so remarkable a feature in the table-land of the dakka…” – Sir James Emerson Tennent Surrounded by the glorious forestry, guarded by majestic ramparts, nourished by enchanting tanks and ponds, and illuminated by those picturesque frescoes, the Lion Rock: Sigiriya is certainly a grand delight in this palm-fringed isle. Its histories and mysteries are vast. For nearly 700 years this one-time Capital of ancient Ceylon, which housed the fortress of the infamous King Kasyapa I, was lost and forgotten by those in this country. What lingered of Sigiriya were tales from the ancient chronicle Cūḷavaṃsa (sequel of the Mahāvaṃsa) and other contemporary documents. It is most likely that Kings from Nissankamalla to Sri ...
Sep 5, 2023
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Articles, Michael Roberts
Tagged Avishka Mario Senewiratne, SIGIRIYA
Why you should visit this undersold, teardrop-shaped island right now – By Lee Tulloch Source : smh If there’s a country that could do with a lot of love right now, it’s Sri Lanka. Over the past three decades, the island nation has been ravaged by conflict and disaster, beginning with the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which claimed 30,000 lives, and the 26-year-long civil war, which ended in 2009. It had just re-emerged as a popular tourist destination when, on Easter Sunday 2019, an Islamic group, in retaliation for the Christchurch attacks thousands of kilometres away, bombed three churches and three luxury hotels in Colombo, unnerving the tourists who had returned in record numbers. And then in 2020 there was COVID-19. Even though Sri Lanka managed it well, the world shut down. Shopkeepers in Galle Fort, the beautiful, fortified 17th-century village on the south-west coast, say they closed their stalls ...
Jun 11, 2023
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Tagged Anuradhapura, Galle, Galle Face Green, Galle Fort, Kandy, Luxury hotels in Colombo, popular tourist destination in Sri Lanka, SIGIRIYA, Sigiriya Rock Temple, Sri Lanka, Tea Trails, Yala National Park
My Nation – My Pride – by Anurasiri Kottegoda (sent by Shenali D Waduge to eLanka) We have a proud history. We had great kings They made magnificent structures. These amazing achievements are in awe even today. Tourists flock to see these cultural heritage because they do not have such in their own nations. They come to visit Ruwanweli Maha Seya, 60,000,000 tons of bricks used to make Jetawanaramaya, Lova Maha Paya, Sigiriya, Parakrama Samudraya, Giritale, Kantale, Minneriya where massive lakes & man-made irrigation works. The technology used by our ancient kings cannot be matched even with modern technology. Our ancestors have built ancient marvels that we must be proud of. Unfortunately, these ancient marvels crafted by our great kings are not included into school text books for our children to feel proud of their ancestors. Is this being intentionally done? Who removed our history from school syllabus? Why is a diluted ...
Jun 5, 2023
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Tagged Giritale, Jetawanaramaya, Kantale, Lova Maha Paya, Minneriya, Parakrama Samudraya, Ruwanweli Maha Seya, SIGIRIYA, Sri Lanka, sri lankan bauty, tourists
The economy During Sigiriya was the Capital of Ceylon. – By Dr Tilak S. Fernando Although I managed (the author of the book) to systematically detail different epochs of economic development in ancient Ceylon, it is impossible to forecast, in detail, during the Sigiriya reign. It is because it is impossible to categorise Sigiriya’s economy into various sections. The King murdered his father and all his subjects, and the Buddhist clergy despised the King, thereby the King had become a political problem. According to the chronicles, King Kasyapa collected wealth. He kept it in protected custody, but later, out of that fortune, he constructed a beautiful chamber out of gold and lived there as emperor Wesamuni. His wealth was considered by all the kings from the Anuradhapura era. According to folk stories, once he (Kasyapa 1) ordered the killing of all cooks and horse keepers to be killed as ...
May 11, 2023
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Articles, Tilak S Fernando
Tagged ancient Ceylon, Anuradhapura Kingdom, King Kasyapa, King Kasyapa 1, SIGIRIYA, Sigiriya epoch, Sigiriya’s economy
The economy During Sigiriya was the Capital of Ceylon. – By Dr Tilak S. Fernando Although I managed (the author of the book) to systematically detail different epochs of economic development in ancient Ceylon, it is impossible to forecast, in detail, during the Sigiriya reign. It is because it is impossible to categorise Sigiriya’s economy into various sections. Because the King murdered his father and all his subjects and the Buddhist clergy despising the King had become a political problem. According to old folk stories, King Kasyapa collected wealth. He kept it in protected custody, but later, out of that fortune, he constructed a beautiful chamber out of gold and lived there as emperor Wesamuni. His wealth was considered by all the kings from the Anuradhapura era. According to folk stories, once he (Kasyapa 1) ordered the killing of all cooks and horse keepers to be killed as his ...
May 4, 2023
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Articles, Tilak S Fernando
Tagged Anuradhapura, King Kasyapa, SIGIRIYA, Sigiriya period
SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS – by Des Kelly Indeed, a ‘MUST SEE’ spot in Sri Lanka that I think should be one of the wonders of the World, if it already isn’t. The story of this Fortress is in our history books, and I have already published it at least twice, so do not intend to do so again. Personally, I climbed to the top of this mind-boggling ROCK twice. It certainly wasn’t easy, on the first occasion, but they did their best to make Sigiriya an easier ascent for the thousands of tourists still wanting to reach the “Roof-Garden” of King Kasyappa’s temporary home, so when I climbed it the second time, together with Maureen Hingert & family, we did find it much easier. With our thanks to Charles Schokman, let me present this fascinating video to/you, my friends. Desmond Kelly. (Mr.Music) (Editor-in-Chief). e’Lanka.. ...
Mar 20, 2023
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Articles, DESMOND KELLY
Tagged SIGIRIYA, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Sri Lanka
cave temple dambulla sri lanka – By Malsha – eLanka The Dambulla Cave Temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Dambulla, Sri Lanka. The temple is a complex of five caves that contain a total of 153 Buddha statues, as well as paintings and intricate carvings covering the walls and ceilings. The caves are believed to have been used as a place of worship for more than 2,000 years and are considered some of the best-preserved examples of ancient Buddhist rock art in Sri Lanka. The temple is considered one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the country and is visited by thousands of tourists each year. The Dambulla Cave Temple is located in the central part of Sri Lanka, approximately 142 km east of Colombo. It is situated in the Matale District of the Central Province and ...
