One of Sri Lanka’s most famous spot’s in the ‘Cultural
Triangle’. A bunch of three city bred twenty something newbie hikers and an
enormous rock to conquer. ‘Sigiriya Rock’ the locals tell us the name translates
to ‘Lions Palace’ Rock. An ancient rock guarded
by a canal-like structure filled with crocodiles guarding it, was our first
glimpse. A palace built atop it and bush-covered gardens was what lay in store
after a stairway climb requiring 2 hours to cover. The entrance fees stood at
15 dollars (some 1000 Indian Rupees). It was swarming with people all walking
in a line up the narrow stairway to the top on one side. We were tipped off
that the sight on the top would be one of the best. Then just some 2 km away
stood another sister rock, not the original Sigiriya but a rock as high
nonetheless, less known and a house to the Pindurangala Cave temples. We read a
blog on this place, during our intensive researches prior to every day’s trip.
The climb sounded one of thrill. No straight steps, winding broken paths and
rocks to climb with monkey-like gait. The allure of this lesser known, off-beat
way through the jungle to this same amazing sight, with zero entrance fees had
us pumped up.
So off we set, with only brief directions (from the
abovementioned blog) to the entrance of this path to the top. A tiny shrine at
the foot was where the path starts. There are 2 stairways going in different
directions. We randomly pick the left one, after a small discussion assuming
all would lead to the top (later we were proved right as we came across
criss-crossing pathways). As we climb the tiny steps (Buddhist monks seem to
have tiny feet comparatively) walking sideways as our Indian feet are too big
to full step, we come across this cove where amidst patch of dark green grass,
fallen leaves, pebbles and stones of different sizes is a panorama of big black
stones with small steps paved in them ancient-looking tall trees and creepers
and vines swish swashing all across. Again a moment to pick between paths. This
time, it is the path on the right we choose. From there on the steepness
overwhelms our breath. A stop after every ten minutes or so, to catch our
breath was needed. During this stretch we meet a bunch of monks robed in maroon
satin climbing deftly with no hint of effort on their brow, they smiled as they
overtook us. The path was winding and the coolness and scent of forest air engulfs
us. The journey to the top had spots where there were water dripping like tiny
waterfalls, armies of black and dark red ants crawling in lines , bushes of
different coloured flowers, tiny insects and butterflies here and there, stone
formations with funny dents and shapes and dark cave like structures. Another
surprise on the way was a sleeping Buddha statue some 35 feet tall which made
us feel miniscule and a lotus pond nearby more surprising considering the
altitude. Narrow and steep ledges where we had to slide through and find grips
in rocks to climb up made it adventurous and not a trek for the faint-hearted.
Thus, we arrive to the top some 3 hours later, to what
seemed liked the highest point there, towering over miles of landscapes. The
view as promised was divine, medleys of water, a whole range of green-shaded
landscapes and mist-covered far away mountains, with white and dark grey
cotton-ball clouds of different dimensions and forms hovering above. The
Sigriya Rock stood at one side like a huge headstone and a huge white Buddha statue
on the other. Lying down on the top staring around this beauty trying to take
it all in made us meditative. We could have laid there for hours but sudden droplets
of rain made us sit up and start our journey downwards, as the fear of those slippery
narrow ledges lurked on our minds. Fortunately, we had on our side not only the
rain gods but also gravity to quicken our walk down before the darkness set in.
So we return all tired out, with a feeling of new found achievement of having
conquered a rock. This was an experience not to be missed and a must visit for
every Sri Lankan traveller who wishes to walk the untrodden path.
