All About the King who Built Sigiriya

Sri Lanka boasts a rich history and ancient indigenous culture that spans over a thousand years, and several relics of that past still remain today. Perhaps one of the most intriguing of these remnants lies in Sigiriya, the Lion Rock in the island’s Central Province. Hailed today by UNESCO as the eighth wonder of the world, the ruins of the ancient palace atop Sigiriya’s rock fortress hides the tumultuous past of its monarch, King Kasyapa I.

The Boy who Couldn’t be King

Kasyapa was the first born son of King Dhatusena, the first king of the royal Moriyan dynasty, from a relationship with a concubine of non-royal blood. Although he was the eldest son of the king, he was overlooked as heir to the throne in favor of his younger brother Moggallana, who had been born to Dhatusena’s royal consort. While Kasyapa was not in line for the throne, he was accepted as his father’s son and was respected at court.

Overthrowing the Throne

The resentment that Kasyapa felt toward his family and circumstance in not being able to be king was nurtured by the commander of King Dhatusena’s army, Migara. King Dhatusena was responsible for the gruesome murder of Migara’s mother, and so Migara sought vengeance by poisoning the King’s eldest son against him. When they were ready, Kasyapa and Migara staged a coup and overthrew King Dhatusena, seizing the throne and causing young Moggallana to flee for his life.

Dhatusena was imprisoned for a time, before Kasyapa ordered that his father be buried alive in the walls of his prison cell.

Retreating to the Rock

After claiming the throne for himself, Kasyapa tried to make peace with his people. However, his patricide was not accepted by his new subjects; although his father had not been killed by his own hand, the crime had been committed upon his word. He had committed a major sin in the eyes of the Buddhist people. Weary of the constant rejection and fearing retaliation from his escaped brother, Kasyapa moved the royal capital from its seat in Anuradhapura to Sigiriya rock.

Building Sigiriya

Inspired by the mythological Buddhist city of Alakamanda, which was said to be a beautiful city of gods built in the clouds, Kasyapa set about creating his new city and palace at Sigiriya. While the Buddhist faith encouraged monarchs to avoid self-indulgence, Kasyapa had been rejected by his people and felt no need to be bound by these rules. He chose instead to use his wealth to design an extravagant kingdom for himself, complete with beautiful gardens, pools, and fountains. The western walls of Sigiriya were painted with frescoes of beautiful women, and the Mirror Wall that was built and polished allowed the new king to admire himself as he walked past. The entrance to his palace was guarded by a massive stone lion on the north side of the rock — the body of that lion has been reduced to ruin over the thousand years since it stood, but its paws still guard the entryway.

Fall of the King

Legend has it that Kasyapa was a peaceful man at heart, despite his violent rise to the throne. He favored the arts and poetry. The death of his father sat heavy on his conscience during his 14-year rule, and he apparently tried to repent within the confines of his faith in an attempt to find some peace. However, his past eventually caught up to him. His royal brother Moggallana had fled to South India all those years ago, where he managed to raise an army to help him return and fight for his throne. Kasyapa slit his own throat in the ensuing battle, ending his reign and allowing Moggallana to reclaim his birthright.

The Ruins of Sigiriya

Although Kasyapa’s palace no longer stands, his legacy lives on at his fortress, with the frescoes and tiered landscaping of its fallen king still in place. Best viewed in the light of a sunrise or sunset, make sure you’re well-rested and ready to experience this ancient wonder by checking in at a nearby hotel like Water Garden Sigiriya, which was designed to echo the 2000-year old water gardens at the Lion Rock. The trek up Sigiriya is a must-see for visitors to Sri Lanka today.