Sigiriya was a rock-shelter mountain monastery from about the 3rd century BC, with caves prepared and donated by devotees to the sangha (Buddhist monks). This massive monolith of red stone rises 600 feet from the green scrub jungle. Stupendous even today, how overpowering Sigiriya must have been when it was crowned by a palace 15 centuries ago!
Its garden city and the palace was built by King Kasyapa (477-495 AD). The Mahavamsa, the ancient historical record of Sri Lanka, describes King Kasyapa as a parricide, who murdered his father King Dhatusena by walling him up alive and then usurping the throne which rightfully belonged to his brother Mogallana. To escape from the armies of Mogallana, Kasyapa is said to have built his palace on the summit of Sigiriya, but Mogallana finally managed to get to Kasyapa and he committed suicide.
However, another version (said to be recorded by an Indian Maharaja) was also proposed... here... http://www.lankalibrary.com/heritage/sigiriya.html
Sigiriya is said to be the best preserved city centre in Asia from the first millennium, with its combination of buildings and gardens with their trees, pathways, water gardens, the fusion of symmetrical and asymmetrical elements, use of varying levels and of axial and radial planning.
And Top view of the site at http://whc.unesco.org/sites/202.htm
The Lion staircase leading to the palace garden on the summit was one of the path the King and his people used to come up to the palace. Based on the ideas described in some of the graffiti, this Lion staircase could be visualised as a gigantic figure towering majestically against the granite cliff. All that remains now are the two colossal paws and a mass of brick masonry that surround the ancient limestone steps and the cuts and groves on the rock face give an idea of the size and shape of the lion figure.
However, the ancient people who were there before the King, and the King's servants, and devoutees who came after the King had left used the other way to come up. They are like man-made hand-and-toe-hold holes in the cliff. So many had fallen to their deaths that the British government constructed a series of stairways to more safely accommodate the numerous worshippers afterwards.
The ancient irrigation system, garden, fountains, and the terraces are amazing enough, but these are not what Sigiriya is being best-known of. They are not why thousands of visitors are visiting the place everyday either. We visit the Sigiriya for its most attractive "Apsara"s (angels) -- the paintings on the wall with most beautiful half-naked ladies in ancient fresco paintings. (They said there were Kamasutra paintings too, but I could not find them).
Aside from the paintings, people who visited (after the king's gone, and the place was abandoned), inspired by the beauty of the angels, had written thousands of graffitis on the wall. They are mostly poetry addressed to the ladies in the paintings, telling them how beautiful they are.
More:
You might have heard about the political problem in Sri Lanka. Sigiriya and most other touristic attractions are not in the conflict area. If you want to go, consult a local tourist information for a better plan. Sri Lankans are nice and friendly. Not too many beggars (who target their begging to tourists) like other countries in the region.
It is an island, so the best way to go there is by plane to Colombo International Airport. It takes 3.5 hours by car to Sigiriya from Colombo. We recommend you to come back and stay the night in the capital city because the hotels and food are better than in the countryside.
And if you go to Sri Lanka, don't forget to stop by and spend a few days at Maldives. You don't want to miss a trip to one of the cleanest and most beautiful island, do you? Prepare your best swimming/diving suits. (Warning... Plastic and styro-foam containers are not allowed on the island).
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